After the Manchaca swap Patty and I followed Laura over to her place which was a couple of miles away to pick up some things Laura was saving for Patty. I had no idea what a treat that was in store for us and neither did Patty. Laura has a beautiful garden surrounding a wonderful old Victorian home painted in bright cheery colors with a wide wrap around porch and all. I regret that I didn't get a photo of it.

Most of you who take pictures understand that two o'clock in the afternoon on a glaring sun day does not provide the ideal conditions for photography, but I had to try and they will give you an idea of what a lovely place Laura's garden is and what fabulous garden art she has collected and/or designed and constructed to tastefully arrange in her large yard. She has many unusual plants that I did not get a picture of such as mature specimens of white pomgranate and peach cestrum.

The roses were just paste their spring flush, but a some still had flowers such as this red rose planted by the cute painted fence. Notice the old fashioned scalloped wire ...

Also these pink beauties. I think I overheard Laura telling Patty that beneath the stone was buried a beloved pet ...

What a beautiful memorial ...

The iron rose arch is almost covered in rose bushes. A little path leads under it ...

More of the wrought iron arch can be seen on the right ...

Since the roses were resting the garden art had a chance to shine. I loved this tower ...

Detail of the tower top ...

This garden view has yellow daisies, mock orange and blue salvias planted in a blue painted tub. I have a tub. I'm going to do that. The tower can be seen beyond them ...

A lovely scene. Notice the 'smoke tree' in the background ...

A colorful arrangement ... Laura made the mosaic chicken. I'm sorry that the glare keeps it from showing well ...

Laura also sculpted this wonderful lady's head planter ...

Laura named her garden after a favorite book from her childhood. Does anyone remember it? ...

She has both the left and right foot of these unique planters to further the theme of the "Hairy Toe Gardener" ...

An angel statue beside the path that leads past the tower to the rose arch ....

Laura has lots of beautiful pots and unusual planters. Here's her chimney flue planter ...

A whimsical bit of garden art ...

Who wouldn't enjoy hanging clothes on the line such as this complete with a chair to put your basket on ...

Details ...

Love this outdoor shower! If anyone wants to communicate while you are showering they can leave a note in the green mailbox :-)

An antique stone sink! Couldn't it tell some stories about the hands that used it through the years?

These intense blue wildflowers, 'blue curls' are growing in one of her beds. Does anybody grow them? Laura is going to save some seeds for me ...

There are so many other beautiful garden scenes and objects that didn't photograph well, but they will wait for next time. Thank you Laura for designing such a beautiful space that I'm looking forward to visiting again!

Next post will be about a nursery we visited with Laura.