Off the Beach and on the Path – A Garden Walking Tour.
A garden is a reflection of its caretaker and their unique creativity. I love seeing someone’s personal expression reflected in this way. This week I’m taking you on a garden walking tour, stopping at quirky, beautiful gardens worthy of praise in Rockaway Beach.
Holland Ave. btw 91st and 92nd – The Psychedelic Garden Wall. This is the perfect backdrop for a selfie! The mural is above and beyond – “wow factor”! Many people feel they don’t have the space for a garden but this design proves that anyone can make a garden with a little ingenuity. A vertical garden is an ideal solution for a small space. Since the area for soil is minimal, it’s best to use drought tolerant plants here. Petunias work perfectly.
92nd, beach block – Frog World Oasis. Themed gardens are endearing. Peak behind the beautiful mansory and a world of frogs emerge. The toads are scattered about appropriately in a rock garden, mimicking amphibians natural habitat. Pops of color are integrated using containers, potted with gerbera daisies. Why does this gardener love frogs?! This is garden creativity at its best.
Across the street from Frog World Oasis, take a peek at the retaining wall planters. My friend Walter Meyer of Local Office Landscape Architecture designed these sloping beds for the homeowners after Hurricane Sandy. They serve as a storm barrier and a beautiful space to garden. You can’t beat that.
98th St., near the Blvd. – Proton Apple Garden. Words of encouragement are painted on seashells in a mini curbside art installation. “Be like a proton, always positive.” Another sign offers you to grab a free apple from the basket. This made me smile and I did take a delicious crab apple, eating it on the spot! The apples come from a tree in front of the house with a well maintained lawn, enhanced with flowers. This is a must visit especially if you’re hungry and need a snack. Shout out to all of 98th St., this block has several gardens and the houses are very well maintained.
91 St., bay side – Wooden Sculpture Garden. Driftwood and large rocks are the main structural features of this masculine garden. A tree stump sculpture mimicking a person with a tin hat is the focal point. This mostly shaded garden has a some Foamflowers. (Tiarella). These perennials are attractive, sprouting feathered tall blooms in the spring and the leaves turn burnt orange in the fall! Make sure to stroll down the whole block, there are many inventive gardens here. Nice job B91!
90th St. bay side – Butterfly Garden. This is as good as it gets – pathways, a bird bath, many varieties of flowers and plants such as butterfly bushes, black-eyed susan, sweet alyssum, hostas, elephant ear and more. It’s organized, with not a weed in sight, and obviously cared for by an experienced gardener.
89th St., bay side – Opposites Attract. Two special gardens here, very different from each other but delightful in their own ways. First a modern potted garden. A metal plant holder with horizontal lines is front and center. The space is small but used so well with mulch, upcycled and terracotta pots; stones and driftwood. The yellow door of the home gives a pop of color this minimalist garden is screaming for.
Next door is a traditional garden, overflowing with gorgeous flowers – limelight hydrangeas, cascading trumpet vines, hearty Impatiens, all surrounding a perfectly green lawn. Yes, a lawn in Rockaway Beach exists!Keep on walking because there are so many creative front yards in Rockaway Beach to see. Thank you to all the gardeners who beautify our community by sharing with us their creations.
A garden is a reflection of its caretaker and their unique creativity. I love seeing someone’s personal expression reflected in this way. This week I’m taking you on a garden walking tour, stopping at quirky, beautiful gardens worthy of praise in Rockaway Beach.
Previously published in The Wave.
