I'm in Bradenton and would have loved to have been able to come but we were already scheduled to go to the Palma Sola Botanical Garden plant sale yesterday and to the Gulfcoast Plumeria Society end of the year luau yesterday afternoon and an agility trial in Palmetto today.

I know I'm not the only one who complains about the "same old, same old" in nurseries and yards. I can't think of many things I like better than visiting the garden of someone who loves it and is doing something fun, interesting, or different with it. Even if they're doing something I'd never dream of doing I still want to see it if they love it and have put themselves in it.

Suzanne

Pete - I am so glad you had so many folks see your garden. I would've LOVED to have been able to come, but yesterday was the Saturday we go to the nursing home for our Mom-visit. Plus - St Pete is a ferpiece for me. But I remember how disappointed I felt when I first read about your Garden Tour, knowing I couldn't make it.

Maybe if you have another tour, things would work out and I'd be able to attend.....I'm an optimist.

Susie

Hey Pete, I would have come, I love your style of gardening, but I am on the east coast, just too far a drive. ;o)

I would have come all the way from East Orlando, but since I just came back from overseas, it was too much for me right now. If you let us know early in advance of your next tour, that would be great.
... maybe next time I will 'shlepp' Katkin along, she can rest a bit at my place and then off we go to yours ;-)

Evelyn

My garden is always open to anyone on here that loves gardening. I'm always here week days and weekends, so if anyone is ever in this neck of the woods your always welcome. I have a site you can look at my garden pictures for those too far away. http://www.photoblog.com/islandpete/2006/09/20/

Ok Katkin and Abendwolke - I am in next time Pete opens up!

Anita

sounds like a 'roadtrip'.... hey Tony, what about you and MB? Anita, you still have that big van? ;-)

Evelyn

I would liked to have come but I work on Saturday's..durn everything is always on Saturdays! And I live in Gulfport!!

Hi Pete, I live in the Historic Kenwood neighborhood of St Petersburg too and I recognize your home. I walked my dog (his name was Babalu, R.I.P.) past your home many times just to check out what's going on in your yard. You've definitely done a great job with it. It is my favorite yard in the neighborhood.

I would have loved to come for a tour of your garden but I've been away on vacation for two weeks and must have missed your invitation. I hope to be getting a new puppy in the next few weeks and will hopefully be out taking him for walks through the neighborhood again soon and will say "hi" if I see you there.

I was there.
We were the 4 ladies that arrived at closing time.
Karen took advantage of the free cassias,
while I enjoyed the applecider.
We all commented on the way you labled all the heliconias.
Did you make the labels or did they come with the plants?

As for the rest of the houses on the tour,
everyone's yard was so unique!
I wish I would have brought my camera.

Did you come to my yard tour?
My daughter counted 61 people in 4 hours..........cheryl

cheryl I wanted to go, but was feeling under the weather and one of my dogs were feeling a bit low too. To those who were busy I'm always welcome to open my garden to anyone who wants to visit. The photos of the heliconias were made by me as I have a degree in graphic design, but stayed retired after college. Pete

I was unable to make it but my parents went and said they had a great time.
They said it was great to see all the different ways everyones homes were landscaped.
My mother said she took lots of pictures, but she is now out of town or I would have posted them.
Ariel

Hi, Pete! As you have seen from the responses above, I'm sure no one stayed away because they weren't interested. Nothing most of us like better than seeing each other's gardens! I'm not in the Tampa area, but I just may get over there one day, anyhow. If not on my own, then maybe the next time you have an "official" tour.

I'm going to check out your pictures shortly! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for opening up your garden to plant lovers in general!

Marcia

Pete, I checked out your garden photos and they are fantastic! What a COOL yard you have...a real "Island" paradise! And I love your pretty yellow tropical looking cottage, with the white fence out front. It looks SO inviting! Hope to get to visit it in person one day!

Folks, if you haven't checked out the photos, do so. They are really pretty! (I like your garden rats, too!)

Thanks for sharing!
Marcia