A garden full of rich green plants, pebbles, stones, lanterns and pagodas fills Gary Parker’s front yard.
Parker, a retired art history professor and interior designer, was able to bring to his garden details of Asia that he remembers from his travels to Japan, China, Thailand and Bali. “I always have been drawn to everything Asian,” Parker stated.
Parker moved to Gainesville last May and was in the process of finding a house when he attended the North Central Florida Home and Garden Show. When he saw the Cottage Gardens booth, he was impressed by the staff and the quality of their work.
Cottage Gardens’ owner Jon George had lived in Japan, and he specializes in Asian gardens. Although Parker had never worked with a landscape designer, he decided to meet with George to discuss his ideas for an Asian-inspired garden.
Parker came prepared with drawings, pictures and books that he admired. He told George that he was more interested in creating a meditative mood than in replicating a pure Chinese or Japanese garden.
The Vision
When George and his wife and fellow designer, Kim, presented their concept, Parker fell in love with their ideas, such as a pebble and rock bed that led to a “pool” of rocks surrounded by boulders. “The pool of rocks took me by surprise,” he said. “I was astounded with the creativity that they had brought to the table.”
Before the addition of the garden, Parker’s home lacked curb appeal; his landscape was declining and needed a boost.
The Georges’ design provides that boost, and more.
The Result
The meditative garden is mostly green, emphasizing serenity through minimal color. Parker is pleased that the garden, which has little grass, requires little maintenance.
Parker is looking forward to filling out the garden with more plants and rocks. “Rocks suggest mountains, and I want the garden to represent a miniaturized vast mountain landscape,” he said.
A Work of Art
When neighbors stop and admire the garden, Parker invites them to linger and take it in.
As Parker sits in his garden with a book and drinks his morning coffee, he watches the sunlight filter through the trees, changing every minute. “I can see light patterns moving, painting a picture,” he said. “It’s very contemplative.”
As an artist, Parker appreciates Cottage Gardens’ help in bringing to life exactly what he pictured. This is what the best creative people do, using a sixth sense to figure out what clients want, he said.