Garden-Lou Visits the Garden of Dawn and John Frierdich

Dawn and John Frierdich’s back garden might lack in size, but it makes up for its small scale with the three “C’s”, color, coziness, and creativity. Ample layers of color, unique details, and charming combinations make this garden seem twice as big.

The couple moved into the Spanish Lake Mid-Century home in 1982. The house had been the display home for the Maple Crest subdivision on a corner lot with a built-in swimming pool in the backyard. “When we first moved in, there were so many overgrown shrubs and weeds it filled a dumpster and a dump truck. A hunter driving by asked if he could use some debris to make a duck blind!”

The concrete pool decking is still apparent in this ‘before’ photo.

A previous owner had filled in the pool, but the concrete decking surrounding the pool remains. First, Dawn used the rectangular space to grow vegetables but eventually converted a portion into an intimate flagstone seating area. A friend made the unique pergola that defines the space, providing height and a framework for climbing vines. Breaking up the rectangle that screams ‘a pool was here’ was a clever trick-one of many Dawn has used in the garden. She identifies a need in the garden and uses camouflage or diversion techniques to her advantage. “It’s like putting on make-up … you want to accentuate the positives and divert attention away from the negatives!”

Dawn and John are both originally from Highland, IL. John’s work brought them to the area. Dawn majored in Animal Science with a minor in Horticulture and grew up in a flower shop that supplied carnations for St. Louis wholesalers, then later worked 13 years at Maxwell Homestead’s nursery in Florissant. Being surrounded by plants and color all her life has left some serious ‘side effects, including a keen eye for color and texture combinations plus the experience (and well-written notes!) to help plants thrive. Dawn is the official ‘Annual Guru’ for Garden-Lou and is one of the annual testers for the Annual Round Up featured in spring.

2021 Annual Flower Review (garden-lou.com)

Walking through their back garden once isn’t enough. It takes multiple passes from different angles to see all the details. Surprises keep you moving through the garden. One special find is the wrought-iron fence from Dawn’s grandparents’ farm and the curved silo bricks she uses throughout the garden. Broken clay pots are repurposed into creative containers or made into whimsical figures. Unique found objects and unwanted plant containers combine into water features. Her latest project is the construction of a seasonal greenhouse that can be taken apart and stored when not in use. Old windows and doors are finding a new purpose in the structure.

Mornings are her favorite time to enjoy the garden. Weeding is rarely needed. Instead, her biggest challenge is what to overwinter. “Some plants are like pets.” An elaborate light system in her basement keeps pet plants happy all winter.

“The utility workers that come through regularly tell me they look forward to the garden,” Dawn says. Her cats appreciate the recently installed “Cat-I-O” where they can watch the garden’s bird and bee action while safely enclosed.

Dawn finds inspiration in other local gardens. “Bruce and Chick Buehrig, A Winter Visit to the Garden of Bruce and Chick Buehrig (garden-lou.com) and Ginny Mueller Garden-Lou Visits Ginny Mueller are two local gardens I find inspiring.” Dawn and John were featured on the Spanish Lake Garden Tour in 2011 and 2012, where they undoubtedly inspired others.