Best small garden
When Jim and Linda Elliott moved to their home in Havre de Grace in 1991, the front yard was a narrow strip of bare grass he called a “landing strip.”
“I just freelanced it,” Jim Elliott said. “The first thing I planted was a Colorado blue spruce. And it started from there.”
The Elliotts’ house has no backyard, but the entire front yard is a riot of bloom and foliage. Jim Elliott estimates he has nearly 500 plants in the 30-by-140-foot lot.
Daylilies and coneflowers bask in the sun, while ferns are tucked into the shady areas. The space includes hibiscus, a weeping cherry, roses, coneflowers, irises, gardenia and camellias. Small fountains gurgle in the beds and birds poke their heads out from birdhouses.
Both of the Elliotts work in health care. Jim Elliott works in supply services at the Perry Point VA Medical Center, and Linda Elliott works as a secretary at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center.
Jim Elliott said they learned how to garden by watching television shows and reading books and websites. He said he especially likes to plant unusual specimens, such as a green coneflower and a recently acquired yellow peony.
Although their plot is packed with flowers, Jim Elliott said the garden is still evolving. He hopes to install a larger goldfish pond in the future.
“Gardening is a great stress reliever,” he said. His favorite plant: A green coneflower with a raspberry center. Her favorite plant: Lilac Jim’s advice: “Take your time and be patient. What’s going to happen is going to happen. It’s up to nature. If you wait, you will be rewarded.”
Linda’s advice: “Plant from your heart, be patient and relish in your success. If it fails, try again.”