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Lovely, Lovely Gardens

We needed a break from the house this holiday weekend.

So we pitched some luggage and the dog into the big blue bomb and headed northwest of the city to visit good friends, Kurt and Jenna, for a picnic and overnight stay. We missed them so much when they were living in Hong Kong! And! We got to take a peek at Kurt's latest project unfolding...although it isn't finished yet, it is so darned impressive.

When they first moved to this particular piece of property, they were confronted with this...ACRES of this along with a little marsh. (One of many, many little marshes in this area.)

But, under Kurt's patient and artistic gardener hands, part of the land is being transformed into an enchanted forest. Kurt is amazingly talented with landscaping and hardscaping. He has transformed little house gardens and large town squares. He has even traveled to the south of France to create the perfect wedding spot for some of their friends who own a farm there.

He's much too modest so I have to brag about him here :) His environments always incorporate small surprises...spaces that pull you outdoors in every season...habitats that attract humans, creatures and birds. Jenna and I have fond memories of Kurt walking us through the Sheffield Garden Walk and teaching us fun word associations to remember the blooms, the Latin names and the other characteristics of the flowers and trees. (He also knows all about bugs, pests and other creepy crawlies!)

I also have memories of him hunting through the woods for the perfect rock which would create the perfect tone when struck by a waterfall he had built for a client's garden. His gardens often look like nature planned them...not people. His designs are influenced by his work in here and in Asia, much like the original bungalow gardens of California.

This weekend, we toasted marshmellows, wandered through forest paths lit by little gas lanterns, chased bullfrogs around the island, admired the new grapevines that were starting to take hold around the pillars of the little "hideaways" and arbors, and enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes and coffee in the greenhouse. He's still planning to aerate the pond and find an iron pergola for the island. (He hunts down beautiful things at local flea markets and antique fairs.)

Aaron and I can't wait until we are done with exterior repairs so we can have him create a bungalow garden for us! Don't assume a lovely garden is out of your budget or your reach. He's worked on large projects and small ones...country gardens and city gardens...more casual gardens and more formal gardens. If you want to ask Kurt about his designs, you can call him directly:

Kurt Susanke
Landscaping & Gardens
Cell phone: 847-644-6461

Posted by jeanne on May 30, 2005 at 10:40 AM (4)

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