Just a few images from a productive week. Mom’s gorgeous vision for a patio design is nearly realized after a day and a half of additional heft. Pea gravel, river rocks, patio stones, tinted mulch and ornamental clump grasses have given our new tropical pool oasis patio a soul. We’ll share more pictures when the main entrance is finished, as this is happening in stages between regular work. Nursery and garden areas were replanted, re-potted and replenished with straw mulch. On two new pallet tables sits a small forest of West Coast prickly apple amid Spanish needle in bloom. The dusk photo overlooking the West pasture includes of one of the distant food beds almost covered in a mat of sweet potato vines.
James V. Freeman is an established visual artist (oil painting) with a deep interest in natural history, plants and farming. He has had numerous solo shows, a solo museum show, an upcoming museum show and his work has been featured in many publications to date. He currently has a studio in Williston, Fl at the family farm and homestead, "Cactus Island", and as a farmer, specializes in growing columnar cacti of the Caribbean and Gulf countries as well as the aquatic Madegascar Lace Plant. James and his mom Sharon manage and develop the permaculture homestead.
Everything is just beautiful and all your hard work shows.
Is the “tall” garden fence to keep out deer?
I absolutely love her patio design – my dad always used lots of flagstone when he landscaped our entire front house. It made a huge impression on me. He accented our rock garden with many succulents.
I couldn’t remember if you said they were part of your plan? Their roots are so minimal but I love their varied uniqueness!
I work for a co that sells lots of very -well-done artificial plants including lots of cacti…but after seeing all your amazing live specimens, these retail things are pretty goofy.
Also, we sell several canvas – wrapped prints of Saguaro cactus and Joshua Tree vistas, etc…I find it incredibly interesting to see what decor is trending this month? – ok, well actually ANYTHING reinvented from “Mid-Century Modern lol
She says “Thanks!”. The patio so far pleasantly catches us off guard every morning when looking out the window. Her interfacing double spiral concept beat the vague accordion walk idea that had been floating around. Yes, we are looking at succulents that are hardy, to go along the grasses and palm. We used cold-hardy succulents in our old flagstone beds as well back in the 80’s. Cacti are indeed popular for decoration now.
Wow, Jim and Grandma..your site has blossomed. I love seeing your love of plants, flora and art expressed on Cactus Island. Looks like a great little place for your passions to shine. And I hope we get to see it soon💙
It really turned a corner for us when I successfully removed all of the running bamboo in the middle that was spreading like crazy. The tall clumping bamboo standing sentry on either side of The Oasis stays as it is good, decoratively and for yearly partial harvest. My mom designed it and we made it happen a few days at a time here and there. Hopefully we’ll have it finished up when you all visit next.
8 Comments
Suzanne Lindsey
Lovely patio! So much work! You can stop lifting heavy rocks now. 😃
Linda Bergman
I love it! So beautiful!
James V Freeman
Thanks! Mom’s design really changed the back from an ugly sand trap into a real oasis. When the queen palm grow larger it will be a shady jungle.
Cathy
Everything is just beautiful and all your hard work shows.
Is the “tall” garden fence to keep out deer?
I absolutely love her patio design – my dad always used lots of flagstone when he landscaped our entire front house. It made a huge impression on me. He accented our rock garden with many succulents.
I couldn’t remember if you said they were part of your plan? Their roots are so minimal but I love their varied uniqueness!
I work for a co that sells lots of very -well-done artificial plants including lots of cacti…but after seeing all your amazing live specimens, these retail things are pretty goofy.
Also, we sell several canvas – wrapped prints of Saguaro cactus and Joshua Tree vistas, etc…I find it incredibly interesting to see what decor is trending this month? – ok, well actually ANYTHING reinvented from “Mid-Century Modern lol
James V Freeman
She says “Thanks!”. The patio so far pleasantly catches us off guard every morning when looking out the window. Her interfacing double spiral concept beat the vague accordion walk idea that had been floating around. Yes, we are looking at succulents that are hardy, to go along the grasses and palm. We used cold-hardy succulents in our old flagstone beds as well back in the 80’s. Cacti are indeed popular for decoration now.
James V Freeman
Also, the fence is for keeping out deer and rabbits. If it’s corn they’ll jump over even a ten foot fence to get it.
Linda
Wow, Jim and Grandma..your site has blossomed. I love seeing your love of plants, flora and art expressed on Cactus Island. Looks like a great little place for your passions to shine. And I hope we get to see it soon💙
jvfreeman
It really turned a corner for us when I successfully removed all of the running bamboo in the middle that was spreading like crazy. The tall clumping bamboo standing sentry on either side of The Oasis stays as it is good, decoratively and for yearly partial harvest. My mom designed it and we made it happen a few days at a time here and there. Hopefully we’ll have it finished up when you all visit next.