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Got a garden to share? Let us know. And now, a tale of ivies, moss and ferns from 12th Street.

When we purchased our home at the Ansonia Muse Condominium on 12th Street in Park Slope (former home of the Ansonia clock factory) three years ago, our 500 square foot garden had white gravel pathways, a cherry blossom, a struggling Japanese maple and minimal landscaping. Our first and quite challenging task was to remove the gravel paths and lay a slate walkway, creating a garden perimeter with beds that would produce color throughout the year. Along the brick walls we planted both English ivy, which remains green in the winter, and Boston ivy, which has glossy, dark green leaves that turn vivid shades of gold and red in the fall. Both varieties have done exceptionally well and add color to the garden year round. Additionally, we planted a few evergreens and some perennials, including hydrangea, rhododendron and along the shaded brick wall a few varieties of hostas and ferns. Between the slabs of blue slate we planted creeping thyme and both Scotch and Irish moss to soften the walkway and add visual interest. We transplanted the struggling Japanese maple, which is now thriving with proper pruning and care.

A variety of bulbs from a trip to Amsterdam were planted in a garden bed along the wooden fence and have consistently returned each year. The cherry blossom produces a beautiful, fuchsia bloom each May and the spring garden is finished off with window boxes on the two first floor windows. Each summer and fall, we plant a variety of annuals for additional color and interest, most of which are in containers due to a lack of ground space. This past summer we were successful in growing herbs, tomatoes and bell peppers in containers as well. Our ongoing goal has been to create an outdoor space that is an extension of our living room which showcases the changing of the seasons.

Previous gardens on the jump.

Garden of the Day: Conained in Prospect Heights [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Outdoor Tiki Bar in Kensington [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Skinny Space in the Slope [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Starting with a North Slope Blank Canvas [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Instant Pond [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: A Decade in Coming [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Clearing the Brush in Carroll Gardens [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Gardening Through Weather Woes [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Low Maintenance in The Slope [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Refining in Boerum Hill [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: On the Edge of Carroll Gardens [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Rocking in Rockaway [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Carroll Gardens Make-over [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Whispy in Williamsburg [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Kensington DIY, Four Years On [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Ornamental Edibles [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Center Slope Evolution [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Brooklyn Japanese? [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: DIY in Bay Ridge [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Serenity Now in Cobble Hill [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Potted on Putnam [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Cemetery Views [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Made in the Shade [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Praiseworthy in Park Slope [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Crown Heights Verdant [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: Another Greenwood Heights Goodie [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: HGTV Does Greenwood Heights [Brownstoner]
Garden of the Day: PLG Make-Over [Brownstoner]
Submit Your Garden for ‘Garden of the Day’ [Brownstoner]