Nestled in Portland, Oregon, lies a garden that is more than just plants and flowers; it’s a living canvas, a testament to artistic vision, and a celebration of feminine grace. Welcome to the Dancing Ladies Garden, the enchanting creation of fused-glass artist Linda Ernst. This garden, visited during the Garden Bloggers Fling, is a captivating exploration of color, texture, and form, where sculptural art and horticultural artistry dance in harmony. Sharing a friendly gate with her neighbor Joanne Fuller (whose garden we admired previously), Linda’s space offers a unique and inspiring perspective on garden design, particularly for those who appreciate the integration of art within nature. Step through the gate and prepare to be charmed by the artistry of the Dancing Ladies Garden.
Stepping into Linda’s World Through the Garden Gate
Leaving Joanne’s garden behind, stepping through the steel gate is like entering another world. Immediately, the artistic personality of Linda Ernst becomes apparent. Her garden is not just a collection of beautiful plants, but a curated outdoor gallery showcasing her fused-glass art and a diverse collection of sculptures. Among these artistic elements, representations of women stand out, giving the garden its distinctive and evocative name: Dancing Ladies Garden.
Artful Plant Combinations: A Painter’s Palette
Beyond the sculptures, the garden itself is a work of art. Linda demonstrates a keen eye for plant combinations, orchestrating color echoes and contrasting textures with the skill of a painter. Each bed and border is thoughtfully composed, creating visual interest and harmony throughout the garden. The interplay of foliage and flowers becomes as captivating as the sculptures themselves, enhancing the overall artistic ambiance.
Inviting Seating Areas and Architectural Elegance
The Dancing Ladies Garden is designed for more than just visual appreciation; it’s an invitation to linger and enjoy. The garden unfolds into a series of inviting “rooms,” each offering unique seating areas. Beautifully constructed walls and fences define these spaces, providing structure and privacy while contributing to the garden’s architectural elegance. Colorful flower beds burst with life, and strategically placed focal-point art draws the eye, creating a sense of discovery around every corner.
One of the most striking features is a covered terrace extending from the back of the house, offering a comfortable and stylish outdoor living space.
The terrace is furnished with contemporary touches, like a vibrant orange table that injects a modern edge into the garden’s classic beauty.
Even functional elements become art pieces. A plinth topped with an aqua glass creation, crafted from repurposed shower-door glass, showcases Linda’s ingenuity and artistic recycling.
The Gravel Patio and Cottage Garden Charm
Stepping down from the covered terrace, a spacious gravel-floored dining patio unfolds. A curved stacked-stone seat wall embraces the space, framing a charming cottage garden display. Purple coneflowers, towering lilies, rudbeckia, and tall verbena create a tapestry of color and texture, embodying the quintessential cottage garden feel.
The close-up view reveals the delightful details of this planting combination.
Contemporary Touches: Fountains and Raised Beds
Adding a layer of modern sophistication, a stainless steel fountain and an L-shaped raised bed introduce contemporary lines to the scene. These elements provide a contrast to the more traditional cottage style, demonstrating Linda’s ability to blend different garden aesthetics seamlessly.
A closer look at the fountain reveals another of Linda’s fused glass pieces, seemingly floating within the water feature, further blurring the lines between garden and art gallery.
The garden’s boundaries are thoughtfully considered. A stucco wall transitions into mossy green fencing, creating a natural and harmonious property line.
Even smaller details contribute to the overall artistic vision. A dyckia paired with a whimsical face sculpture adds a touch of playful personality.
Another view of the back garden showcases the thoughtful layering and depth of planting.
The Welcoming Side Entry and Driveway Patio
Moving towards the side entry, an arbor marks the transition into another garden space. Cars are intentionally excluded, giving way to a charming garden seating area within the driveway itself. The mint-green door, flanked by tall potted grasses and vibrant potted plants, and a purple bistro set create an incredibly inviting entrance. A white fencing panel offers privacy from the street, transforming a utilitarian space into a delightful garden retreat.
Raspberry-colored flowers echo the purple bistro set, reinforcing the garden’s cohesive color palette.
And of course, the “dancing ladies” motif appears throughout the garden, even on glass pots, reinforcing the garden’s theme.
The dancing ladies are also featured in steel art pieces, solidifying their prominent role in Linda’s garden narrative.
Sculptures of dancing women gracefully blend with the surrounding grasses and greenery.
The driveway patio garden exemplifies Linda’s dedication to maximizing garden space, even repurposing areas typically reserved for vehicles.
Visitors to the garden, like Ally and Ricki, can be seen thoroughly enjoying this unique and welcoming space.
Container Gardens and Modern Accents
Throughout the garden, containers are used as miniature gardens themselves. A concrete urn overflowing with succulents adds a classic touch.
Juxtaposing the classic urn, a glass birdbath paired with variegated yuccas presents a more modern aesthetic.
A closer look at the glass birdbath reveals its delicate beauty and reflective qualities, enhanced by decorative orbs.
The Technicolor Annual Garden and Arbor Entry
An oversized white arbor beckons visitors to explore further, leading to an adjacent half-lot that Linda has transformed into more garden rooms.
Stepping through the arbor is like stepping into a burst of color. This area is dedicated to annuals, creating a technicolor explosion of blooms.
A container garden in vibrant shades of chartreuse, hot pink, and golden yellow draws gasps of admiration. Linda’s fused glass pieces adorn a cattle-panel trellis, which cleverly screens a potting bench, blending functionality with artistic display.
Another view of the colorful annual garden.
Even the perimeter fencing receives artistic attention. Simple wooden posts supporting a wire screen are elevated with fused-glass post caps. Purple clematis cascades romantically along the fence, softening the structure with natural beauty.
The arbor’s scale is emphasized with a visitor, Caroline, providing a sense of human dimension within the garden.
The Lawn Oasis and Sculptural Focal Point
Returning along the paver path, the driveway patio is visible to the right, and straight ahead lies a surprising patch of lawn – the only grassed area in the entire garden. Beyond, another garden room promises further discoveries.
Before reaching the next room, vignettes along the path capture the eye. A steel sculpture hinting at a woman’s form, or perhaps her flowing garments, adds intrigue.
A green pot nestled within a leafy shade garden along the property line offers a moment of quiet contemplation.
The velvety lawnette beckons, the air perfumed with the scent of lilies. Another paver path invites exploration deeper into the garden.
A sculpture positioned at the path’s end serves as a perfect focal point, drawing the visitor onward.
The sculpture is revealed to be a voluptuous torso, elegantly elevated on a plinth. The surrounding plants, pots, and ceramic balls in bronze tones echo the sculpture’s color, while Japanese forest grass introduces a vibrant chartreuse contrast.
The bronze and black tones create a sophisticated and dramatic vignette.
The Chartreuse Patio Garden and Firepit
To the left of the torso sculpture, a pair of chartreuse chairs and a steel firepit define a cozy patio area. The surrounding garden bursts with lush foliage in chartreuse and bronze hues, creating a harmonious and inviting outdoor living space.
Accents of orange are subtly incorporated, adding warmth and depth to the color scheme.
Another view of the chartreuse patio and firepit highlights the garden’s thoughtful design and comfortable ambiance.
A unique “washer” table, adorned with a delicate ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia, adds another layer of visual interest.
Looking back down the path towards the lawnette and the white pergola reveals the cohesive design of the garden rooms.
A single lily bloom captures the essence of the garden’s floral beauty.
Stepping back to gain a wider perspective of the chartreuse seating area and bordering garden showcases the lushness and artistry of the planting.
The perennial border is truly fabulous, a testament to Linda’s horticultural skill.
Another view of the chartreuse garden patio emphasizes the harmonious blend of color and form.
The Entry Garden and Neighborly Connection
The path leads back to the entry garden, completing the garden tour.
Linda’s porch with white columns is visible, and beyond, Joanne’s house with its chimney, highlighting the neighborly connection between these two garden paradises.
Linda’s pale-yellow house serves as a handsome backdrop to the vibrant gardens.
Potted hostas flank the porch steps, adding classic elegance to the entry.
A low bamboo fence subtly separates Linda’s and Joanne’s front gardens. Linda has added a ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia on a glass pedestal, mirroring the artistic touches found throughout her garden.
Turning back at the opening between the two friends’ gardens, the entry garden is viewed once more, completing the circular tour.
A Garden to Remember
The Dancing Ladies Garden, with its exquisite details, inviting seating areas, and beautiful plant combinations, is a truly memorable garden experience. It stands as a testament to Linda Ernst’s artistic talent and her passion for creating a garden that is both beautiful and deeply personal. For those seeking inspiration for integrating art into their own gardens, or simply looking for a visual feast of horticultural beauty, the Dancing Ladies Garden is a must-see, even if only virtually.
