Hi GPODers! Today we’re visiting Dan, who didn’t let a yard with a small footprint stop him from creating a magical garden that has become the perfect space to create special memories with his young family:
My name is Dan Pilla. I am 34 years old and have been gardening for around 7 years. When my wife and I set out to buy our first home, I had visions of owning acres and acres of land with mature trees, pristine lawns, and lush gardens. Unfortunately, our budget only allowed for 1/10th of an acre with one tree, sandy grass, and no gardens in Runnemede, NJ. I was disappointed but determined to make the best use of what we had. So, I grabbed my shovel and proceeded to dig up roughly half of the property.
Knowing that this likely wouldn’t be our forever home, I have used the property as a trial garden with the hopes of trying one of everything. On our little tenth of an acre, I have tried nearly 1,000 different types of flowering plants, shrubs, and small trees. I keep a list of my favorites that will one day be a part of our future gardens.
That said, the garden has been far more than just a place to try plants. As a Christian, the garden has been a place to enjoy the beauty of what God has made. And as a parent, the garden has been a place for my wife and I to make memories with our two daughters…picking cherries and grapes, drying lavender, planting seeds and bulbs, and letting them start gardens of their own.
We may never own acres and acres (and after seeing how much work 1/10th of an acre is…I don’t think I want to), but we are rich on our little plot of land.
Dan in his garden at the very beginning, digging up what will become a long bed full of fabulous flowers.
Every garden starts somewhere, and it’s clear Dan had the vision. Some baby plants and a small, bright pink hibiscus pruned into a tree form were humble beginnings.
To a space where flowers of many forms now stand. And do my eyes fool me, or is that the same pink hibiscus still acting as a fabulous focal point in this border planting??
Thankfully, we don’t have to guess about all of Dan’s fabulous plants, because he sent close ups of some of his favorites (though I’m still wracking my brain on how we can narrow it down from the nearly 1,000 he has grown!!).
First up, an absolutely out-of-this-world tiger flower (Tigridia pavonia, Zones 8–10).
Swinging to the other side of the garden spectrum, a soft and elegant false anemone (Anemonopsis macrophylla, Zones 4–8) is no less a show-stopper when these unique blooms emerge in late summer and fall.
While all of these flowers are wildly different in shape, size, and color, I am still sensing a theme. Dan is clearly dawn to the most striking, unique, less-common blooms in the garden. This theme continures on with this impressive spire of ‘Cleopatra’ foxtail lily (Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’, Zones 4–8).
And Dan isn’t afraid to deal with some less-than-pleasant attributes to enjoy these beautiful blooms. Dragon lily (Dracunculus vulgaris, Zones 6–10) is not for the faint-hearted gardener, with the scent often being described as “rotting meat”. These striking blooms are best enjoyed with nose plugged!
Yet another under-loved gem to wrap up Dan’s list of favorites: Dwarf masterwort (Hacquetia epipactis syn. Sanicula epipactis, Zones 5–7). Just like poinsettias and dogwoods, the outer “leaves” of this plant are actually bracts that help to support the flowers. The interesting forms in the center are little buds about to transform into a cluster of tiny yellow blooms.
Finally, and as Dan mentioned, most importantly, are the memories he has created in the garden with his family:
The most handy garden helper showing off a successful cherry harvest.
Dan showing his daughters that flowers aren’t the only thing worth appreciating in the garden.
And a gorgeous background for family photos to boot! What a special space.
Thank you so much for sharing your little piece of paradise with us, Dan! I hope we get another update long before you trial another 1,000 plants 😉
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