I have tried to offer our Stroll readers a mixture of garden and home types through the years.  In 2020 I enjoyed highlighting Brad’s garden full of funk and whimsy.   Even more extraordinary is the combination of “do it yourself” design, implementation and planting all by Brad himself.   Brad and I have “kept in touch” and I visited during stage one: hurricane restoration after the double whammy of Helene and Milton in 2024. This “not so nice visiting couple” gave Brad a “shove” to re-design the property.  Just recently Jill took a video of their proud production and sent it to me with an open invitation to view the two years in making garden re-do.  I am sharing this with all!

 

Meet Jill, chef extraordinaire and her amazing “jack of all trades” and art collector, Brad Kreiger.   Brad hails from Wyckoff, NJ and has been is Sarasota for sixteen years; inheriting his mother’s love of gardening.   Jill, a trained chef has a “black thumb”; however…both enjoy their garden and cooking together!  Their amazing wine collection is another interest they share. They actually catered their own wedding held on the property! They are now celebrating eleven years of marriage. Now that the new garden is complete it’s time to “renew their vows” in one of the garden rooms on the property.

 

Let’s tour the garden! The front fence is laden with nautical and Florida beach art…making you feel like you are at Cortez Fishing Village. You know this will be a special place. An antique arbor from Architectural Salvage houses a Buddha and melodic wind chimes.  All the flagstone and pea gravel paths have been re-laid and re-designed as well as extended. Brad did them all by himself!  Amble throughout the front garden rooms shaded by Copper Leaf, the pre-existing Ponytail palm (resembling Dr. Seus’ “Truffula tree”) as well as massive cacti (Prickly pear and Saguaro).The stand of dracaena remains.  The amazing addition to the statement dessert rose is an extensive collection spurred on by his friendship with the grower. She offers new varieties he cannot resist.  Dessert Rose grows and can be trimmed and maintained in a Bonsai form adding more Asian influences to the property.  The angel wing begonias are gone but burgundy crinum lilies and copperleaf continue to thrive with an “Asian good luck red” element throughout the front yard.   Christmas palms remain a fine back-drop for the new plantings. Colorful pots change flowers regularly and Brad notes “no more petunias” for him as his tastes change. A zebra stripped Sanchezia seeks its special lighting needs; shade is the name of the game for this lovely textured plant.

 

A most impressive collection of Alocasias and Colocasias are all potted eliminating the “invasive question”.   The secret to success seems to be using coconut core to lighten the soil and retain water in this extensive container garden where hand watering is necessary; quite a labor of love.

 

While both types of plants are tropical and commonly called "elephant ears," Alocasia leaves point upward and require well-draining soil; they grow from rhizomes and features stiff, heavily defined veins. They are generally toxic and are grown strictly as ornamental plants and are safe for planting; IFAS notes this is not a level one invasive species!  Colocasia leaves droop downward and thrive in wet, swampy conditions; they grows from large, starchy corms. Certain species (Taro) are cultivated globally for food, however IFAS notes that this “elephant ear” is highly invasive in Florida and should not be planted in ground!  Brad obviously knows which plant needs what since they are all thriving IN POTS!  No worries invasive or not.

 

Massive metal letters spelling LOVE tell you what this house and garden is filled with!  Malaluca mulch offers ground cover here; not an inch of grass is found throughout the working gardens.

 

The rear patio features Talavera pottery housing a variety of Firebush plants known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Ti plants surround my very favorite features - the two Southeast Asian Spirit Houses they found at Décor Direct!  Spirit houses are an important roadside feature in Thailand and Cambodia.  They offer peace to souls who have died around dangerous curves in the road!   Food, rice liquor, incense and other offerings are continually refreshed by family members and friends. The Kreiger’s varieties are “fit for a king”!  Another of their favorite haunts is Pottery as Art. Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Pete holds both garden inspiration and a source for his art glass collection. One of my favorite spots, not to be missed!

 

What a totally happy place.   I didn’t think it could get any better…but I was wrong!  I will await any new videos of this eclectic and whimsical property. I know the Kreiger’s will keep in touch.