The Gardens

Four distinct gardens surround the house. The Shade Garden quietly sits under the canopy of an old paper-shell Pecan tree. Enjoy the soothing sound of moving water from an antique water pump continuously filling an old galvanized tub. Relax in a cushioned A-frame swing, lounge in Adirondack chairs or sip tea or lemonade from a wire-framed ice cream parlor table and chairs. The tree branches gently sway over creeping ivy, asparagus fern, hostas, bleeding hearts, begonias, and other shade-loving plants. 

A cypress mulch and river pebble path curves around the south side of house and through the Sun Garden, crowded with butterfly-attracting plants and bright-colored perennials and annuals that love the Oklahoma sun. A painted bench is tucked between a tall spirea shrub and a fragrant four-O'clock (a favorite of hummingbirds during the twilight hour). The bench provides a perfect spot to survey the varieties of roses lining the other side of the path. 

As it continues, the path flows into the Summer Garden, where one encounters a fountain statuary of two children sharing the cover of an umbrella during a sudden but perpetual afternoon shower. A curved wrought iron and wood-slat park bench, flanked by native hibiscus plants with enormous blooms, provides an opportunity to enjoy the fountain as well as the peonies, strawberries and clematis surrounding it. Herbs, peppers, tomatoes, and other kitchen garden plants follow the clematis, leading up to an impressive painted wrought-iron style garden arch covered by mandevilla vines with numerous lovely pink blooms. 

Passing through the arch signals your arrival at the back of the house, where much garden construction remains to be completed. The first section finished is the Water Garden, featuring a plethora of aquatic life such as goldfish, watercress, arrowhead, horsetail, waterlillies and lotus. A gurgling waterfall is watched-over from the corner by a delicate Japanese lace-leaf maple, while the background is dominated by a large native pecan tree. Guests enjoy the shade of a cushioned canopy swing which offers a comfortable spot for taking in this garden's beauty. Warning- lingering here may cause drowsiness. Fortunately, there is no heavy machinery in the vicinity to be operated!

A Colonial Revival style home, the house features ten stately Romanesque columns gracing a substantial wraparound front porch, and a sizable third story attic embellished with fashionable Palladian windows. To add to the home's charm, a stunning handmade French-Gothic white picket fence surrounds the home and it's enchanting lush garden areas. An inviting porch with wicker furniture beckons, while cranberry, teal, and white trim/accent colors playfully dance around the home's quiet gray base color.