Jeff Rix delights in every moment that he works in his gardens, and it shows.
Rix sits on the front stoop of his Country Club neighborhood home on Monday. He says he finds gardening relaxing.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Walk through the back gate of his Country Club neighborhood home, and you’re greeted by hostas of all kinds, colorful annuals and pots of his favorite elephant ears, caladium and banana plants. By August, some banana plants will be 8 feet tall.
A pond attracts raccoons, opossums, his first red fox and a pair of Cooper’s hawks. A greenhouse provides a spot to overwinter tender plants.
Sometimes guests will say it’s too busy or there are too many plants.
“It fits me,” Rix said. “I do whatever I enjoy.”
He’s making his second appearance on the Benson Garden Walk on Saturday, so visitors will be able to decide for themselves.
The pond in Jeff Rix’s backyard attracts all kinds of critters, which he enjoys. Rix’s garden will be part of the Benson Garden Walk on Saturday.
MARJIE DUCEY photos, THE WORLD-HERALD
Seven gardens of all types are on the tour, including Benson Bounty, an urban farm, and Benson Brewery, which will showcase container gardening. The Common Soil Seed Library at the Benson Library is a point of interest.
People are also reading…
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Ming Toy Gallery, 6066 Maple St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Only cash is accepted.
For more information, go to facebook.com/BensonGardenWalk.
Rix and wife Linda have lived in what some in the neighborhood call their “storybook” Tudor for about 36 years. When they moved in, the landscape was a blank canvas, with just four big trees and a clothesline in the surprisingly large backyard and a few overgrown evergreens and peonies in the front.
Rix, a master gardener, has been gradually adding beds to his front yard, focusing on native plants that attract pollinators. His newest find was an almost neon yellow rudbeckia that he spotted at Indian Creek Nursery.
Hundreds of shade annuals provide color in Rix’s backyard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
“I don’t have a master plan,” he said. “I just buy plants and make it work.”
Walk past pots of canna lilies, spiderwort and herbs on the side of the house to reach the back. It’s about 80 percent shade, partially because of a large Norway spruce that Rix estimates is at least 90 years old.
That abundance of shade is why he gave up on vegetables and started planting more flowers. While there are still many annuals to provide color, Rix said he’s trying to introduce more perennials.
He’s also growing more items from seeds and bulbs. Again, just for fun.
Brunnera, hostas and Japanese spurge fill the very back, which he’s transitioning from what used to be his sons’ play area to his own play area full of plants.
Jeff Rix is adding native plants to the front yard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The couple enjoy the sounds of the pond they added 15 years ago. The patio was built three years ago and the greenhouse two years ago — it was his retirement gift to himself.
“The backyard is a work in progress,” he said.
While the care of so many plants may sound daunting to some, Rix said the gardens provided a way to relax when he was working full time and still provide joy now.
“For me,” he said, “this is not work or a chore.”
Photos: Country Club garden fills owner with joy
Jeff Rix spruces up his front yard for the Benson Garden Walk on Saturday.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The newest flower in Jeff Rix’s front yard. It’s called a Chim Chiminee rudbeckia.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Rix found this rudbeckia at Indian Creek Nursery.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
About 80% of the backyard is shade.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Hostas and annuals for color fill the yard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Some brunnera planted in the rear of the yard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The view as you walk in the backyard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Rix plants many colorful annuals.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
His small hostas are planted in containers.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
An upright elephant ear in the backyard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Some of these annuals will grow to 8 feet by August.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
A new pathway added by Jeff Rix. He still needs to add mulch.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The pond in Jeff Rix’s back yard attracts all kinds of critters, which he enjoys.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
This green house was a retirement present to himself.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fish swim in the pond in the backyard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff and Linda enjoy the sound of the pond.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Hundreds of shade annuals provide color.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The leaves of these annuals provide color.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
A pathway leads toward the pond.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
The patio was added three years ago.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Canna lilies, spiderwort and herbs are planted along the side of the house.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Neighbors sometimes refer to the house as the ‘storybook’ tudor.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Rix finds gardening relaxing.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Some Asiatic lilies brighten the front of the house.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Plantings along the driveway.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Rix is adding native plants to the front yard.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Rix is adding garden beds to the front of the house with an emphasis on natives.
MARJIE DUCEY, THE WORLD-HERALD
Container gardening will be the focus at Benson Brewery.
BENSON BREWERY
Benson Brewery will showcase container gardening on Saturday.
BENSON BREWERY
