Melanie Wilkinson, Editor-in-Chief
New York - Annabelle, hydrangea, dogwood, hibiscus, rose of Sharon, peeler, roses, vines, shrubs, sunflowers. . .
If the plant is present, it is likely growing and thriving in a Sally Reuben garden.
39 years ago, Sally Robin and her husband, Hardy Leggett, built their home in the southwest corner of York Country Club.
“At the time, Todd Faller came to me and planted something for me on the sides of the house,” Robin recalled. "Todd was right at that time."
Today Valer is successfully engaged in landscaping, planting trees and gardens.
"He was just getting started, but he knew his stuff," Robin said. "So he helped me with these trusses. Then I talked to my neighbor and we decided we wanted to create some sort of natural barrier between our property and the golf course. That's when that I began to develop the gardens."
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Robin describes her landscaping as "more cottage-like", noting that the flowerbeds have curved edges. It also combines many different shades, textures and types to create an attractive color palette. A mix of perennials and annuals adds drama.
Robin began farming, and over the course of nearly four decades, hundreds of perennials and annuals entered lands, pots, and baskets. She says she has no idea how many plants she has in her garden or how many varieties she has.
"Well, that's a lot," Robin said, watering flowers that were starting to show signs of afternoon heat. "It should all be watered down every day. That's how it should be this time of year. And there's a lot to do to take care of it all."
She says she refuses to cut the grass - she praises her. But she spends two or three hours in the morning, three or more times a week, working in the garden just to tend to her countless plants.
Robin said she had never gardened. Planting flowers has always been hers.
And she knows what she's doing, boy.
She can name all the types of flowers, animals and foliage in her garden. She knows everything everyone needs to grow and she definitely provides it.
Robin said she hated gardening as a child. "But my dad, he didn't really follow, so it was always a combination of weeding, loosening and digging. It just didn't work for me and I couldn't take it.
That definitely changed when she started her incredible project many years ago and literally fell in love with a hobby that has now become a lifestyle for her.
Robin officially became a master gardener 30 years ago.
"That's why I had to take classes at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln," says Robin. "It was a present for my 50th birthday. I really enjoyed the classes. Then I had to do 40 hours of community service related to it."
In addition to turning her knowledge into beauty in her own backyard, she offers gardening advice to those requesting and judging flower entries at local county fairs.
"It's a lot of work, but it's kind of my remedy," Robin said as she walked around her board and explained what each plant was.
"It's Annabelle," she said, and ran her hand over the leaves of an unusual plant. "It's a very old hydrangea that's been here probably 25 years. And those are Roses of Sharon," she said, referring to the beautiful flowers.
Unfortunately, this summer's hailstorm in York didn't affect her garden because she lives on the west side of town and much of her yard was in the path of a severe storm.
"Oh, I really had to change everything," Robin says. "It was a mess. But it's now early September and I'm very happy to be back to normal."
In fact, she says, some of her plants will have more flowers this year than before "for some reason," noting that some of these plants flower later in the year because the flowering stages are later than usually.
Even if his garden was hit, it's hard to say now. Compared to the average person's backyard, Robin's Garden looks like a botanical wonderland.
It has birdhouses scattered among its plants and trees. Oh, there's even a walkway covered in greenery among the many beautiful mature trees.
"Todd [Faller] comes up to me and helps me carve here and there, but I do all the rest of the work myself," Robin said. "I don't think I'm going to stop there anytime soon. It's nice and quiet here and I love doing it."
It's definitely his happy place.
And for others, they will surely be delighted when they visit Sally's Garden.
The front of Sally Robin's home is as attractive as every aspect of her beautiful property.
Melanie WilkinsonSally Robin loves birdhouses. These are just two of many on his west yard in York.
Melanie WilkinsonWatering flowers and plants is part of Sally Robin's routine. She said you have to water every day. Everything in Robin's Garden is iconic, including a large frog hiding a coiled snake.
Melanie WilkinsonYou can see beautiful walled gardens full of roses.
Melanie WilkinsonRobin's Garden has so many cultivars that flowers can be seen in different stages throughout the year.
Melanie WilkinsonAlthough her plants and flowers were "damaged" in a hailstorm in York a few months ago, Robin is happy to see that most of her perennials have recovered.
Melanie WilkinsonFlowers and buds in different stages provide color.
Melanie WilkinsonBeautiful climbing plants create drama in Robin's Garden. If not for the cold that hit last summer, she says, that vine would have covered its entire western surface.
Melanie WilkinsonRobin planted her sprawling garden decades ago after she and husband Hardy built a new home near York Country Club. The initial goal was to create a natural boundary between their property and the golf course.
Melanie WilkinsonBeautiful shades of pink help define the boundary between York Country Club and Sally Reuben Garden.
Melanie WilkinsonEven in the shaded areas of the house there are many different flowers.
Melanie WilkinsonSally Robin offers a wide selection of perennials and annuals.
Melanie WilkinsonPlants are blooming in Sally's garden.
Melanie WilkinsonSally Reuben's garden naturally has a path and an arch made of greenery.
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