Patty and Dan Murphy of Evans Dr. have been recognized as the June 2023 Selection of the Month by the Garden Club at Palm Coast. Originally from western NY, they moved to Florida in 2007 and in 2013 they purchased their current home.
They first planted palms, (Sylvester, Queen, date) along with sago, and ponytail palms. Then they added coral colored Encore azaleas, hot pink crape myrtles, and an array of multicolored cannas, amaryllis, Asiatic lilies, and native lilies to their front island. They even tried their hands at growing pineapples and were successful.
In a shaded area under their huge date palm, they have lots of color with bright orange begonias, tropical bromeliads, and pink variegated gingers that are exploding with color.
Their backyard is a real surprise. A winding pathway that leads to a beautiful courtyard that’s surrounded by lush plantings and dozens of over flowering pots and hanging baskets with amazing annuals and perennials mixed for a butterfly’s paradise along with a white gardenia, exotic bamboos, and giant elephant ears.
The focus of the garden is a HUGE white crape myrtle tree (Natchez) that is home to dozens of her fabulous orchids. Beneath is a sea of bromeliads, chenille plants and sweet potato vines. A stunning purple bougainvillea really grabs one’s attention, surrounded by a huge three-year old hot pink geranium. Each Spring they await the return of their unique varieties of caladium.
