Flowers Make Good Neighbors: Adjacent Gardens in Breckenridge, Colorado

Pat Steiner’s garden of hardy annuals and perennials started from seed in rich native soil. In fall, she raked and broadcast a Rocky Mountain wildflower mix; repeated next spring as snow melted. All seeds germinated, creating a riot of wildflowers. She saves favorite seeds for fall sowing. August blooms: white Shasta daisies, sweet William in pink/magenta, yellow wallflowers.

Neighbor Carol Erickson hauled in truckloads of soil to cover rocks, planted mostly 1-gallon perennials for instant gratification. One year later, her garden—delphiniums, foxgloves, Iceland and Oriental poppies, Shasta daisies—was on the Summit County Garden Club tour. Both women mulch with wood chips, sharing advice, stories, and plants.