MY NEIGHBORS GARDEN, By Kay Faught

Ronit and David Gibb converted their home on South Oregon Street from a trashed “fixer upper” to a garden Mecca that showcases patio gardening to perfection.  After moving to Jacksonville 21 years ago, Ronit knew little about gardening – so she tapped into friends and neighbors for information. With no real plan, but a strong “vision,” she knew the home and garden could evolve and began by dealing with the fence and trashed back yard.  A landscaper put in a sprinkler system and an edge for a surrounding planting bed.   Today, the back yard is an oasis of green space, surrounded by woodland plants from peonies to columbine. Old bird houses, randomly mounted, add a touch of wildlife to the landscape and view.

The front of their home is a precise and perfect front yard, with a curved walkway of pavers leading to the porch.  Flanked by a mass of tall Jerusalem Sage on one side, its blanket of yellow bloom now gone, the remaining soft sage wave offers textural punch, while lavender edges the other side of the walk.  Ronit has allowed the lavender to flow and bend to the sun, and the sage to remain tall and arching. The effect allows “nature” to magically soften the precision of the front yard.  A dynamic cedar-stained side fence with iron work in its gate teases the viewer to the garden beyond!

Entering onto their back patio, you are transported into a garden park… and their patio garden “room.”  The patio is an extension of the house, sitting beneath a massive black walnut tree that towers and creates a canopy for both an upper bedroom balcony and the backyard patio.  Creating a world of its own that only nature can accomplish, it provides Ronit and David an outdoor place to entertain, view the garden, and enjoy a quiet retreat.

The “signature” of this garden is what Ronit has done with pots and patio gardening.  A small patio retaining wall may provide a break between patio and yard, but it also offers another spot to share her potted floral display.  The type of pots and containers vary, but the continuity of the flowers used is her dynamic edge.  Each year, Ronit selects a color palette to work with, focusing on the power hit of color she wants, to help offset the large green space.  Everywhere you look this year, pots of pink, blues, and whites, and potato vine, abound and cascade from each container.  Terra cotta pots filled to the brim line the retaining wall, but also pop out in unexpected locations, providing visual art!

Ronit has put thought into each and every placement, but there is not a sense of lined-up perfection.  Containers tuck and flow around and above the patio, and in the center of the patio, select pots create sitting areas, color punch, and a break in the patio floor area.   Hiding here and there are small iron garden pieces, bird houses, and garden art. In this garden, they offer only subtle surprises, letting the container planting stand out.   A row of deep red and black glass votives line the fence, providing lighting and art.  An arbor into the back yard is covered with jasmine, and the un-obtrusive garden shed at the patio edge creates a wall for more wall- mounted flowing containers.

Every gardener has frustrations.  Ronit’s is not having known more about shade and sun plants when she started.  As everything grew, sun-loving plants became buried in the shade that evolved.  Another frustration has been dealing with the walnuts on her patio each year, but that will remain, as her beautiful canopy black walnut tree in healthy and will be around for years to come!

Ronit’s gardening joy is found in the finished piece and entertaining on the patio.  She loves the beauty and serenity of it all.  Interestingly, her favorite time in the garden is in early morning in August during the Britt classical season.    With the Britt stage just beyond her back fence line, practicing musicians fill her ears with serenity and inspiration that then finds its way into her garden.

Ronit has managed to create a perfect example of a garden where, sitting on a patio in the center of a garden world, you magically relax and become renewed.   Although she doesn’t like to admit what a perfectionist she is, I noted that she evidently has taken on that personality trait, added a sense of beauty, art, and vision, and used it like a gift.  I love this garden and the serene and welcoming peace it offers.  Thanks Ronit and David for sharing!

All of the photos here are by David Gibb Photography: http://dgibbphoto.com.

Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N Third St.  Specializing in paraphernalia for the home gardener; she carries garden gifts, decor, and a wide variety of pots, tools, gloves, and organic products.