There are so many everyday artists in my neighborhood. As I drive around town, I am continually mesmerized by beautiful displays of landscaping artistry. Some are created by experienced landscapers, and others are the work of homeowners themselves – or, in this case, a creative gas station attendant.
I came across this garden while filling up the tank last week. This fantastic display sits at a Shell gas station close to the entrance to a busy highway. When I asked about the flowers, the attendant explained that he grew the zinnias and marigolds from seed. How wonderful to be treated to this visual display while completing this routine task.
This garden is not to be ignored.
The focal point in this garden bed is color – and, more specifically, a contrast of color. The bright purple-pink zinnias and yellow flowers demand attention. Purple and yellow sit across from each other on the color wheel, so the contrast is strong. The bright sunlight makes the colors feel even bolder.
Photo by Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash.
There is repetition too.
The small orange marigolds along the curb are echoed by another patch of orange marigolds farther along the opposite edge. The bright colors in the flowers compliment the eye-catching colors of the Shell sign. Yellow and green appear again there, while the red Shell logo adds one more bright note to the setting.
Photos by Amber Malquist and Nadiia Shuran on Unsplash.
Color may be the first thing we notice, but the contrasts in the size and texture of the plants continue to delight the eye.
The marigolds are noticeably shorter, while the zinnias reach much higher. Their foliage is different too. The zinnia leaves are broader and heavier, while the marigold foliage has a finer, lighter texture. Despite these differences, the flowers still speak the same language. Both plants hold their blooms upright, pushing them toward the sky and both give the garden bed an energetic summer feeling.
Placement and spacing help this garden work.
The taller zinnias are grouped toward one side of the curb, while the shorter marigolds spread along the other edge. Because the plants are not all competing at the same height, each group has room to be seen. The bed is full, but it does not feel crowded. The taller flowers give the display height, while the lower flowers create weight closer to the ground. That difference gives the small garden a sense of balance.
What I like most about this garden is that it does not feel restrained. It feels cheerful and generous. The colors are vivid, the flowers are plentiful, and the whole display seems perfectly suited to a sunny summer corner beside a busy road.
Zinnias are one of those reliable summer flowers that grow well from seed. For anyone who wants to try growing them, California Giant zinnia seeds are a readily available option.
Subscribe to see more Everyday Artists in my neighborhood, or explore more Design posts. If you grow zinnias or marigolds, leave a comment and share what has worked for you. If you have an everyday artist in your neighborhood that I could feature in a future blog, please send pictures and photo credits to annaliesedegrassy@gmail.com. T
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