HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-05-14, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003.
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Brussels woman transforms yard to lush gardens
Spring blooms
Shady garden
In spite of the tree cover in front of her Brussels home, Trixie Pfeiffer has managed to
transform the shady space into a wonderful garden filled with a variety of plants, colours and
Even in early spring, the greenery is sprouting in Trixie
Pfeiffer’s backyard, enticing one outdoors to enjoy a few
warm moments. (Janice Becker photo)
textures. (Photo submitted)
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
When Trixie and Rick Pfeiffer first
moved into their Brussels home in
1998, the backyard had very few
plants and the tiny front yard was
filled with crabgrass.
“It was like working with a clean
slate,” said Trixie Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer soon went to work
transforming the landscape, creating
curves, hard edges, shady locations
amidst the sun-drenched lawn and
raised beds overflowing with
greenery.
A proponent of plant sales and
swap events, Pfeiffer said many of
the plants she has acquired over the
years have cost her very little, yet the
yard bursts with colour every
summer.
However, one of her treasured and
earliest purchases came on a trip to
Stratford with her husband to see a
theatre production. While there, they
visited a shop which sold seed kits
which were said to recreate a Monet
garden
“These were not modem plants
and not hybridized to today’s bugs,”
said Pfeiffer, “so there was a
warning on the package, but I had
always loved Monet’s garden
paintings so I gave it a try.”
Pfeiffer has been expanding on
that beginning every since, adding a
wide variety of plants, bushes,
shrubs and evergreens. She rarely
worries about knowing the names or
colours, but rather just likes
experimenting.
“The best things are the surprises,”
she said, “buying at the end of the
season when there are no labels.”
Though her gardening technique
may be a little unorthodox, she is
thrilled with the results and her
achievement.
To add texture to the plantings,
Pfeiffer has created curved pathways
and garden edging from two flats of
bricks Rick brought home.
“I only wanted one, but he brought
two and I am still finding ways to
use them,” she smiles. “I’m so glad
he got them for me.”
Lumber was used to build raised
beds in the backyard, and a rustic
fence borders the pathway which
meanders to a small seating area in
the middle of the yard.
“When the plants get tall in the
summer, it is like walking back to a
secret garden,” she said.
The front lawn has now been
cleared of crabgrass and the two
mature trees flanking the front walk
are surrounded by low growing
perennials while off to the side, a
narrow trail curves through blooms
and past a bench.
Pfeiffer enjoys her gardens
because she has created a place
where she can go to work and spend
time in the outdoors or just sit and
absorb the colours.
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