Blakelys' ranch/country garden welcomes visitors and wildlife
By BURLON PARSONS bparsons@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Pat Blakely looks at some of the flowers growing in just one of the many flower beds at the Blakely's country home.

Doc and Pat Blakely at 2639 CR 154 are another couple who have opened their residence for the fourth annual Wharton Hidden Garden Tour the Saturday and Sundays of May 3 to 4 and May 10 to 11.

Hours for the tour are 2 to 5 p.m. each day and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12.

Pat describes her garden as ongoing perfection and wants it to offer beauty and hospitality to its visitors.

The couple have been in the home for six years and gardening was not their first priority.

"The first couple of years was spent getting the home furnished and comfortable," Pat said. "The garden started about four years ago with some foundation plantings."

After the first plantings colorful plants were added. There has also been added many "shared" plants from relatives, friends and neighbors.

There are a number of native Texas plants throughout the garden.

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Ceramic bunnies, mushrooms and other statuary decorate the flower beds of the Blakely home.

"Those which are not native are able to take the Gulf Coast climate," Pat added. "If it is a plant that works, I use it."

Roses have not always been a part of the ranch/country garden. Pat just started with some Knock Out and Home Run roses this year.

One of her favorite flowers is the Amaryllis, but it has a limited blooming season. Pat says she likes to put plants together based on texture, color, variety and height.

The couple have spent more time in their beds the last few years and do most of their own plantings. And this year they have more intensive plantings with more varieties.

The wildlife like her garden areas. There are birds in surrounding trees, ducks in the creek, butterflies flutter through the area and humming birds should be coming soon.

All those things are fine with Doc as long as no other types of hungry "critters" get into his vegetable garden.

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Beds of colorful flowers accent the beds of the ranch/ country garden of Doc and Pat Blakely. Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Doc Blakely takes an afternoon stroll through the vegetable garden he has planted behind a splitrail fence.