The shelter gardens

[Catherine]

I have worked at planting things that will come up on their own and will need little care. It has taken years to get it so well established. This year is the best year ever. I love the orange of the marigolds with the purple pansies. It is such an intense contrast. Earlier there were white and purple columbines all over. Any time now the black-eyed Susans will open and there will be a rich yellow. I have white yarrow and red bergamot growing too.

I think it transforms what is really the back parking lot behind the building. It is almost a back alley. Instead of looking bleak it looks full of life and beauty.  This has been a work of love and it has been years in the making. Every year I am able to get more things growing. Even in the intense heat the plants survive.  In the fall when it cools, I can do some fall planting for the spring. There is always more I can do.