Decorative accents are found everywhere. The arts gene has landed in one of the
kids; their middle son is both a sing- ing artist as well as a gardener – well, he grows peppers and tomatoes,
says
Dianne. (The oldest son is the adven- turer who goes heli-skiing.) Today, though, the Rasmussens are
very focused on their five grandchildren. “When you’ve lived a good life, your children and grandchildren are
your
reward,” says Dianne. She delights in her time with them, and looks forward to spending a good part of the summer with a granddaughter that lives in Mani- toba and the four who live in Vancouver. Dianne is an understanding grand-
mother, too. The inside of the garden shed, which the grandchildren decided needed sprucing up, attests to that. It was an artistic endeavor that has added colour and character to a space not usually so blessed. The garden itself is a wonderful
mixture of greenery. A standout feature is the boxwood in ornate containers. Dianne says that, thanks to the shel- tered microclimate of her yard, she has no trouble overwintering the boxwood, something that always amazes visitors, who are filled with envy because it is a pretty tender plant for this climate in north Edmonton. As a backdrop to the pond with its waterfall and fountain, three potted cedars stand on a low brick wall, flanked by ferns and hydrangea. The spreading branches of willows
and white-barked birches lean in to create a green canopy over much of the garden, letting patches of sunlight adorn the brick and the understory plants with
localgardener.net
Hostas and ferns, a perfect pairing.
Dianne’s decorating background shows through in her yard.
dapples of light that play across the scene like musical notes on a score. The garden sends out a message of
peace and repose. “It’s my therapy,” says Dianne who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. She pours tea at an antique table that is graced by a lovely tapestry from Paris. “I couldn’t resist it,” she smiles, “because it was made in the Loiselles factory and my maiden name is
Loiselle,” The afternoon is coming to a grace-
ful end, with the light gently slipping through the
trees. The heat of the
summer day is kept at bay here, as are the everyday troubles of the world out there. It’s a comfort to be in this restful space
with this positive and creative woman, and a comfort is just what a garden should be. K
Beautiful Gardens 2015 • 25
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