How Her Garden Grows: Paula Spletter
Master Gardener Paula Spletter loves cacti and succulents—and she owns thousands of them! Potted cacti thrive in the sunniest spot of her front yard, nestled into a bed of decomposed granite. But it’s the greenhouse in Paula’s backyard that takes her passion for these water-thrifty plants to a whole new dimension.
Several years ago, Paula decided she needed a structure to house her growing collection and provide a workspace for potting and propagation. She began researching various options for a greenhouse, but couldn’t find any prefab ones that came close to the style she envisioned. Then a friend offered her 15 windows and doors from a soon-to-be-demolished Swiss Avenue carriage house—and the “barn,” as Paula lovingly calls it, was born. Paula hired an architect and together they designed the one-of-a-kind greenhouse that is the focal point of the backyard, imaginatively repurposing the 100-year-old windows and doors.
Rows of shelving, both built-in and freestanding, provide a home for Paula’s prized collection. A pulley system allows hanging baskets to be easily lowered for watering and there’s ample storage for potting mix and gardening tools. Signs, household items used as containers, and shovels for handles on the sliding barn doors provide a bit of whimsy.
Paula’s front yard is as lush as the back, filled with flowering plants, ferns, and cacti in the sunny areas. Shelves filled with pots highlight her ever-growing collection.
The barn is creatively landscaped with an assortment of potted cacti and succulents, string lights, concrete benches, and fanciful pottery. In addition to the oversized covered patio where she displays additional succulents, Paula has created a cozy sitting area adjacent to the barn, shaded by umbrellas and lush with hanging baskets and flowering plants.
Paula laughingly admits that she’s the type of gardener who wants to own “one of everything.”
Working in the barn hasn’t kept her from tending to the rest of her garden. Beautyberry, leopard plants, and carex “sparkler” are among the perennials nestled into the shade of two mature oak trees in the front yard. And the sunny side yard features Paula’s vegetable and herb gardens, along with an abundance of sun-loving perennials.
Paula thinks of her garden as an ongoing project. As seasons and years go by, plants get dug up and moved around and she’s constantly adapting to changing shade conditions. She wanted a garden that, once planted, didn’t require a lot of care, but that is easier said than done. Depending on the season, she spends anywhere from two – six hours per week on garden maintenance. “There are times when it gets neglected,” Paula says with a sigh, “but it doesn’t complain…much.”
Paula Spletter’s garden is one of seven that will be featured on the 2022 Spring Garden Tour presented by the Dallas County Master Gardener Association on Saturday, April 30 (10am-4pm), and Sunday, May 1 (1-5pm).
