In the garden of Each Little World

September 17, 2010


Each Little World is one of my regular reads. Written by Linda Brazill and illustrated with gorgeous photos by her husband, Mark Golbach, their blog gives me tantalizing glimpses into the green, serene garden they’ve created together in Madison, Wisconsin. When the garden blogger meet-up was held in Chicago in 2009, I was delighted to meet them in person.

These online connections often grow into real-life friendships, and a week ago today, while in Madison for my husband’s race, I felt privileged to be sitting in Mark and Linda’s beautiful garden, eating sandwiches and fresh berries, enjoying 70-degree weather, and gazing out over their pond. What joy!

These whimsical vases represent Linda and Mark in their blog’s header, and I was tickled to see them on display on their dining table when we arrived.

The real people—equally adorable.

Their garden is constructed on a slope, and they’ve maximized the interest provided by grade changes with a large pond, garden structures, and paths that climb through the garden. A Japanese theme guides their planting and decorative choices.

A true craftsman, Mark constructed this Asian-style fence himself.

A gate opens into the neighbor’s yard for friendly traffic.

I didn’t get a lot of pictures of the plants in their garden because I haven’t yet figured out how to use my new camera in shady conditions. Their garden is at heart a foliage garden, with numerous trees and shrubs placed to wonderful effect. But there are some blooming plants as well, including these toad lilies.

A closer look

Mark has used these limestone blocks to create various sculptures over the years. Its latest incarnation reminds me of a pagoda. For an earlier incarnation click on this post about the creation of Mark and Linda’s first garden together.
Thank you, Linda and Mark, for sharing your beautiful garden with us! Linda also introduced me to the Allen Centennial Gardens and the stunning Olbrich Botanical Gardens while we were there. I’ll have several posts about the Olbrich soon.
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

0 responses to “In the garden of Each Little World”

  1. Pam — Thanks for those kind words. You and David picked the perfect weather for your visit. Tomorrow — when we host the Hardy Plant Society plant exchange — it’s only going to be about 60 degrees and rainy. I’m hoping the prediction is wrong. I love your shot of the bells, gate and streaming sunlight!
    Here’s hoping for good weather for your garden event tomorrow. Right now we have the rain, but it’s very welcome. Cool weather would be too. 😉 —Pam

  2. Love that second picture. That’s my new inspiration for my shady front yard!

  3. What a treat to be able to see Linda & Mark’s garden. It seems such a magical place.

  4. cat says:

    I know how you feel getting to meet one of your favorite bloggers in person! The vases are adorable – were they handmade especially for them?
    Hi, Cat. I don’t know about the vases, but they make wonderful avatars, don’t they? —Pam

  5. Les says:

    This is also one of my favorite blog reads. I always enjoy seeing on-line familiar places from someone else’s perspective.

  6. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    What a delight this must have been. I too read their blog. It is good to see their garden through your lens.

  7. Barbara H. says:

    Pam, your blog was one of the first I discovered. As a faithful reader, I may have been led to Each Little World by you – I don’t remember for sure, but I think it’s likely. I’ve so enjoyed both blogs. Many thanks to you for your always interesting posts and pictures, and for leading me down the garden paths of the blogging world!
    It’s my pleasure, and thank YOU for the treat of your kind words! —Pam

  8. Gail says:

    Pam, I thoroughly enjoy Each Little World. Linda and Mark are artists. They see so much~I was struck by how they highlighted their vases on the dining room table! The garden they’ve designed, the structures and the plantings create a serenity that is deeply satisfying. Thanks for the peak into their garden. gail

  9. Donna says:

    What a lovely garden seen through your lens. I adore those vases. This garden looks like a great artistic expression of the gardeners. Talented people.

  10. Thanks for all the lovely comments about our garden from all of you great bloggers and gardeners. The door is always open and we’d love to see you in Madison. The vases came from the Clay Bay Gallery in Door County many years ago, a lucky find from a wonderful gallery.