Enter Molly Bialka-Boreen’s “Alice in Wonderland”-themed yard and you are feeling such as you’ve fallen down the rabbit gap.
“I beloved that story as a baby and likewise as an grownup. I feel the story of Alice is absolutely on the market. It is so completely different. I like completely different,” mentioned the Coon Rapids resident. “I assumed I may have quite a lot of enjoyable with it.”
Bialka-Boreen has come a good distance, contemplating she was only a budding inexperienced thumb only some years in the past. However just like the character Alice in Lewis Carroll’s well-known novel, Bialka-Boreen’s backyard has grown in dimension and confidence.
“I discovered the laborious approach. I had got down to kill the weeds, however I killed the entire yard. My buddy Bonnie, who’s an avid gardener, began to show me backyard,” recalled Bialka-Boreen. “I did not know a perennial from an annual.”
Even that buddy, Bonnie Pullis, was impressed together with her mentee. A lot in order that she nominated her buddy, named one in every of six winners within the 2022-2023 Star Tribune Lovely Gardens Contest.
“Outrageous, vibrant and exquisite — identical to Molly,” is how Pullis described the backyard. “In a world with a lot unhappiness, all of us want just a little little bit of cheer and also you’re sure to search out that right here.”
Throughout the rising season, Bialka-Boreen’s yard is an art-filled, well-manicured, landscaped setting. Through the years, the now avid gardener has gotten a really feel for what she likes to plant.
“I’ve quite a lot of perennials as a result of they’re simple and develop again yearly. And annuals get costly,” she mentioned. “And I do quite a lot of repetitive planting and I like vibrant.”
Amongst perennials she’s a fan of are pachysandra evergreens for floor cowl, Mandevillas for a tropical look and Curly Fries hostas for the way they wisp within the breeze. Pink, purple, white and yellow hues rule, as do flowers that embody coral bells, vining clematis and poofy hydrangeas. The backyard fanatic additionally sprinkles a number of annuals into the combo, akin to low-maintenance Sunpatiens.
When issues “obtained crappy throughout COVID,” Bialka-Boreen ramped up her gardening in anticipation of internet hosting extra outside gatherings.
“I’ve quite a lot of events right here with my household, my boyfriend’s household,” she mentioned.
Down the rabbit gap
The backyard is dotted with nods to Alice’s wonderland, with fastidiously positioned mirrors referencing the trying glass, Mad Hatter high hats in addition to mushroom, white rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Alice collectible figurines. Tea units in numerous colours, patterns, sizes and styles are additionally on show.
Bialka-Boreen likes to reuse and upcycle items for DIY tasks which might be colourful and eccentric in their very own proper. She spray-painted a birdcage in vibrant blue, magenta and teal. She scored a headboard from Pottery Barn at a secondhand retailer, painted it to match the birdcage and makes use of it as a spot for her potted vegetation to perch.
“Coloration is my factor,” mentioned the hairdresser of 40 years. “The issues you possibly can embellish, it is best to embellish.”
An outdated playhouse within the yard was given a second wind, brightened with Bialka-Boreen’s unique “Alice in Wonderland” paintings of pastel-colored florals. She smiled on the thought that the playhouse continues to be a spot the place the little ones can foster their imaginations.
“My daughter used to play in right here when she was younger,” Bialka-Boreen mentioned. “All of the grandkids find yourself enjoying in there now. They play restaurant and such.”
Backyard finds
Bialka-Boreen unexpectedly discovered that half the enjoyable in remodeling her yard was the procuring. She’s landed on a number of go-to locations for backyard decor. She likes ordering on-line from Grandin Street not solely due to the design-savvy flowerpots, but additionally as a result of “they climate actually, very well.”
A number of teacups are from Brylane Dwelling as a result of she loves how colourful they’re. Design Toscano is a favourite vacation spot for sculptural and bigger backyard items, together with a vintage-looking gate.
She additionally provides private touches, together with a silver tea set from an aunt who handed away and a pretend topiary canine that appears like her real-life Yorkie, Pokey.
As phrase of her storybook backyard unfold, she’s discovered herself fielding inquiries.
“I’ve had individuals say, ‘Hey, can I’ve a marriage right here?’ ” Bialka-Boreen mentioned. However she’s not fairly able to host a storybook wedding ceremony.
As a substitute, she plans to proceed doing what she’s been doing — including whimsy to her world.
“Gardening is absolutely soothing for me,” she mentioned. “It is joyful and vibrant. I can spend hours out right here.”