Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Laurel and Paul Walle
Inspiration comes in many forms. It was a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, for Laurel Walle and her husband, Paul. Charleston’s charm is evident in and around the Walle home. “We like Classic style,” says Laurel. A room addition to the back of their Manchester home looks like a page from Southern Living Magazine. And beyond those windows, a lush, leafy setting, including a hidden garden worthy of any secluded Charleston courtyard.
The Walles have lived in the home for 28 years. Originally the backyard was overgrown with junk trees and invasive vines. “The first thing we did was put in a small pond.” With small children, there wasn’t time for much gardening. “We ended up cutting down the trees and vines ourselves, then had to hire someone to remove the stumps. The stump removal man came out and kept staring at the fish before he started, then said he’d do all the removal for free if we gave him the fish!”
Later came a redo of the pond, deck, and room addition. “My mother gardened, but we moved often. I started on the garden here after going ‘stir-crazy’ sitting with Mom after her hip replacement surgery and looking at garden magazines,” says Laurel.
Paul, being very handy around the house, was given the task of building the unique hexagon-shaped garden house. He constructed it over the winter in the garage, then put it together with the help of a neighbor in spring. Although the shape was challenging, he agreed it was right for the place atop the hill in the back of the property.
Originally from Michigan, Paul’s work moved the couple seven times nationwide. A sentimental birdbath fountain moved with them from Lexington, Kentucky, and has been patched and repaired multiple times. By constructing a lattice backdrop, Paul took the fountain’s classic look even further.
The Walle Garden has been featured on the annual Pond-O-Rama Garden tour sponsored by the St. Louis Water Garden Society. The couple joined in 2019 after attending the tour and finding even more inspiration among the many member’s ponds. They are featured again this year on Sunday, June 25th. Tickets are still available at local retailers only for the two-day tour June 24th and 25th.
See www.slwgs.org for a garden center selling tickets near you.
Quick facts;
–Size of garden-1/3 acre
-Any trouble spots or problems?-Deer, herons, and other mysterious creatures that dig up places in the garden beds. Fencing and netting are used.
-Other passions besides gardening? –Traveling, snorkeling, and birdwatching.
-Favorite gardening tool?-A “little girl” shovel that was Paul’s Mother’s.
–If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have ONE plant to keep you company, what would it be? It doesn’t have to be a food-bearing plant since this island has a free buffet!
-Oak leaf hydrangea
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
