Frank and Brenda Livingston
Overland Park
(Garden featured on the upcoming Extension Master Gardener Public Garden Tour, May 16-17)
About the gardener
When Frank and Brenda Livingston made their way to Kansas City from South Carolina 24 years ago, they brought along with them southern hospitality and a passion for gardening. They looked for a home that offered a relaxing setting for entertaining family and friends and also had plenty of trees and shade for a respite from the summer heat.
As Frank set about creating his gardens, he discovered that shade gardening in Kansas City was more of a challenge than he expected. After 5 years of not being able to grow grass, Frank started to test some shade plants. A self-taught adventurer on shade gardening, he began with the basics and then continued to experiment with various plantings.
Thinking ahead to retirement, the couple purchased a lake lot in South Carolina. However, plans changed nine years ago when their grandkids moved closer.
They sold the lake lot and decided to make their Kansas home a lake retreat: “Our deck is like a dock overlooking the lake and the water is a sea of hostas.”
Livingston GardenSpending time outdoors, “playing in the dirt,” and building unique items for the yard is how Frank loves to spend his spare time. He enjoys the creative outlet and satisfaction that gardening provides.
Frank’s tips
-- Keep gardening fun by making it easy. When starting out, take the time to get the soil right. Plants just grow better in good soil that’s amended with compost.
-- Stick with plants that grow best in this area and under your conditions. I have three words that describe the plants I like: easy, vigorous and hardy.
-- Go on garden tours. They are a great time to ask questions and get new ideas.
Special things to notice about this garden
• Leaf stepping stones. A creative theme throughout the garden is the many leaf stepping stones that Frank made from using concrete and real leaves. Also notice the fountains made from casted leaves. As you tour the garden, you’ll likely get bitten with the desire to try making the stepping stones yourself. How-to instructions are available at the front of the house.
Livingston Garden• Landscaping with hostas. The garden has over 115 different varieties of hostas. Notice how diversity and contrast are created when they are intermixed with ferns, Astilbe, bleeding hearts, Solomon's Seal and other shade plants.
• Hosta of the Year pathway. The pathway on the northeast side of the house features hostas that won Hosta of the Year from 1995 to 2008.
• “Take down the fences” landscaping. With permission from neighbors, Frank has planted beyond his property line into yards that directly border his property. It is a wonderful example of how neighbors can integrate their landscapes for the pleasure of all.
• Frog collection. Frank never met a concrete frog he didn’t like. He placed his collection throughout the garden. It gives the grandkids a challenge to find and count all the frogs.”
Livingston Garden• Grandkids’ garden. Frank and Brenda involve their grandkids in the garden. The kids have their own garden on the sunny side of the yard. Each child has a stepping stone with his or her hand prints and name. Every spring the kids pick out annuals and plant them around their stepping stones.
Frank’s favorite plants
• Hostas — In the spring when hostas come up, they come up shouting, “I’m here.” Their colors are so bright and powerful. My favorites are June and Stained Glass for color and Sum and Substance for size and texture.
• Ferns — In the summer, ferns really start to pop. My favorites are Dixie Wood Fern for size and Lady and Japanese Painted Ferns. They both have upright structure and are really frilly.
• Impatients — In the fall, I love impatients. Yes, they have been blooming since spring, but when cool weather arrives, they become “Kings of the Shade Garden.”