At Pete’s Greenhouse, we love celebrating the creativity and resilience of local gardeners—and few gardens capture that spirit better than the one lovingly cultivated by Karen and Brad Stout. In this four-part series, we take you behind the scenes of their ever-evolving backyard, courtyard, and layered garden spaces across the Texas Panhandle.

From peaceful retreats anchored by water features to ivy-covered walls, organic pest solutions, and winter-ready textures, Karen and Brad’s approach blends beauty, intention, and practicality.

Each episode offers a closer look at the thoughtful plant choices, clever techniques, and personal stories that make their garden a source of joy and inspiration year-round. Whether you’re working with sun, shade, space, or slope, there’s something here for every gardener to learn and try.

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Episode 1: Backyard Retreats, Perennials, and Ground Cover Wins

Karen and Brad Stout’s backyard is a peaceful retreat anchored by a sculptural water feature and surrounded by thoughtful perennial design. With over 80% of the space dedicated to perennials, Karen shares how the garden has become a place for both beauty and spiritual counseling.

Shaded seating areas are tailored for every season, while ground cover like sweet woodruff fills in tricky corners with ease. “It’s easy to transplant, low maintenance, and makes a great gift,” Karen says.

Other standouts include a cold-hardy Celeste fig—grown for its lush foliage—and balloon flowers that thrive in their northern exposure.

Garden Tip: Sweet woodruff is an ideal low-water ground cover for shaded, rocky spots—and it multiplies fast.

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Episode 2: Ivy Walls, Whimsy, and Garden Layers

In this episode, we explore a backyard where ivy, drainage, and perennials come together in a lush, layered design.

A standout feature is the Boston ivy climbing the brick wall—planted small and left to mature over time. It softens the structure, shifts to vibrant fall colors, and is much easier to manage than invasive English ivy. Choosing the right ivy makes all the difference.

This home also features a smart drainage layout, including a French drain system, highly recommended by Jordi and Devin. It prevents flooding and supports a healthy, beautiful landscape.

Perennials play a big role here: divided hostas, peonies, and irises fill out the beds while tropicals, yews, grasses, and boulders add variety and depth. “There’s always something new to see,” the homeowner notes.

The garden also celebrates memory and whimsy. A statue named Ophelia, chosen in honor of a loved one, anchors the space with warmth and meaning. Nearby, glowing petunias and white-tipped ivy set the stage for a moon garden.

Garden Tip: Let your garden evolve over time—perennials and thoughtful placement offer beauty year-round without breaking the bank.

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Episode 3: Courtyard Charm, Hostas & Hardy Finds

This episode brings us into a peaceful east-facing courtyard, the perfect morning retreat with soft shade and shelter from strong winds. It’s a cozy space where comfort meets creativity.

A standout feature is a hosta bed interwoven with spearmint—an unexpected combo that seems to deter snails naturally. Despite hostas’ tendency to attract pests, no treatments have been needed since the mint took hold. It’s a subtle but impressive win for organic gardening.

Nearby, a graceful Rose of Sharon—shaped over time from a shrub into a small tree—adds height and charm. In the evenings, white blooms attract nighttime pollinators like hummingbird moths, adding beauty and life after dusk.

Beds tucked around a central fountain mix climbers, jasmine ground cover, and summer-blooming hibiscus. Some get more sun, some stay cool, but all serve as testing grounds for what works best. Patience and small starts pay off.

Budget-friendly tricks continue with Green Mountain boxwoods grown in bubble-wrapped pots. After a few years, they’re transplanted into the garden full-grown, saving time and money. Plants like French hollyhocks reseed and return each year, while Japanese maples provide color and structure even in winter.

The organic approach is thoughtful and practical, using diatomaceous earth to handle pests like snails and pill bugs with minimal impact.

Garden Tip: Try mixing mint with hostas to naturally deter snails—no sprays needed. For extra savings, grow perennials in pots before transplanting them into the garden.

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Episode 4: Easy Layers, Winter Texture & Ground Covers That Shine

This episode takes us through a garden that proves lush landscaping doesn’t have to mean high maintenance. What started as mostly boxwoods and grasses has been reimagined with Densiformis yews, Japanese hollies, and mounding boxwoods, achieving a long-term goal of 80–90% perennials.

Low-growing ground covers like Burgundy Glow ajuga and creeping Jenny are tucked between larger plantings to soften stone and structure, with pops of seasonal color that change year to year. The ajuga, originally planted as a tiny two-inch pot, now spills beautifully over rocks, showing off burgundy foliage and early spring blooms.

Maiden grass takes center stage as a low-fuss feature. Left standing through the winter, it provides texture, supports beneficial insects, and only gets trimmed back when new shoots appear in spring. Paired with hostas and peonies, the result is a layered landscape full of charm, even when not in bloom.

Garden Tip: Leave ornamental grasses standing through winter for beautiful off-season texture and a healthy spring comeback. Just trim when you see green growth.

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Watch the Full Series

If you haven’t already, catch all four episodes of The Stout’s Garden Club on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels. From layered textures and seasonal blooms to clever pest solutions and memory-filled spaces, each episode reveals ideas any gardener can try—no matter the size or soil.

Facebook
episode 1 / episode 2 / episode 3 / episode 4

Instagram
episode 1 / episode 2 / episode 3 / episode 4

Youtube
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Stop by Pete’s Greenhouse to discover the plants, ideas, and inspiration behind Karen and Brad’s stunning garden. Whether you’re starting fresh or adding the finishing touch, we’re here to help you grow something meaningful!