From project to top prize

DarleNe and Douglas Reilly began their garden story in 1969 when they moved to the 1908 vintage house his grandfather had built. Back then, the house was out in the country, a long way from downtown. Today it is a block off the busy thoroughfare of North Division near Francis. But even with the hustle right out their door, the garden is a bright spot in an urban setting.

Bright enough to earn the couple the August Garden of the Month Award from the Inland Empire Gardeners.

Their three kids were out of high school when they moved in so the garden became Darlene’s project while Douglas worked at the Darigold plant.

“We just started moving things around,” says Darlene. Now in their 80s and with some health issues, the garden is still an important part of their lives.

“He weeds, and it’s been good therapy,” says Darlene. “He recuperates faster than me.”

Looking at the garden though, you wouldn’t know they were going at half speed.

The house is easy to find; the only one on the block with a riot of color all the way to the street and around the corner. Bright annual asters and other perennials, a hedge of roses and hardy hibiscus all blooming in the cooler September weather made it clear that it is a place where hard-working gardeners live.

On the north side of the house, Darlene has a collection of hydrangeas whose bold leaves are beginning to pick up some fall color. Clusters of pink fall crocuses brighten the ground around them. A weeping Japanese maple glows gold and red in the late afternoon sun.

The backyard tells the story of their years in the house. Two large, old lilacs and a shrub rose are the centerpieces of beds in the middle of the yard. Darlene remembers moving one of the lilacs from the street corner because it was blocking the view of cars meeting at the corner.

“It caused a couple of accidents,” she said.

The shrub roses faintly scent the air giving the garden an old fashioned feel. Along one fence are beds of iris in every color. Tall garden and creeping phlox round out a colorful spring display.

“Bright flowers are my favorite,” says Darlene. “But I’m partial to purple.”

In the back corner, the old vegetable garden is full of snap dragons. They were careful to leave some space so that their five young great-grandchildren have a place to play.

“They get dirty, but that’s OK,” Darlene laughs.

Along the south side of the back Darlene has planted all manner of plants – some old fashioned, some new varieties just to see what happens. She has also planted peonies.

They can watch it all from a covered patio.