Wisest of gardeners...and much more!

Keith Funk alongside his incredible garden

 After a long Colorado winter, even the most sophisticated colorist yearns for color--and the day I visited Keith and took this picture is proof of that statement: a garden with all the subtlety of a Tuba orchestra performing Souza. Don't be fooled, this fella has myriad arrows in his quiver, as you'll see!

I praised my friend of four decades calling this display "festive": now that I think of it, our friendship could well be described as a festival of fun, mutual respect and learning.

Brace yourself, sweetie: this is that very same slope taken three months later: Keith is nothing short of being a garden magician! His garden morphs from week to week, and every corner reveals new dazzling vignettes.

A slight change of pace from the festive rock garden I think you'll agree: Keith and Retha's outdoor living room is an incredible verdant oasis: what a wonderful place to sip lemonade on a hot summer's day (although I'm afraid we tend towards slightly higher alcohol content in our drinks there...)

Every year the oasis transforms: Keith grows no end of fantastic annuals and perennials under lights and other monstrous tropicals that he overwinters like these bananas and cannas...he propagates these and much more and has a modest little nursery space where you can buy these for a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere if you come on garden visiting days...do note the alpine trough bottom center: he does it all...speaking of which I realize I forgot to photograph his vegetable beds!

Here the "festive" front rock garden is morphing into the summer Rembrandt colors in late afternoon...

Keith and Retha have opened their garden for years for the Garden Conservancy--from Spring to Fall: I guarantee you, every time you visit it will be a different garden!

Iris sintenisii var. urumovii

One of the countless treasures in Keith's gardens: I have lusted over this (I'm a nut for wild iris) and he's given me both seed and propagated divisions for me: a better friend one couldn't have! Multiply this plant by thousands and you have nothing less than a first class private botanic garden!

A view of one of several sweeping borders...

Rudbeckia cv. ('Goldsturm'?)

Black-eyed susan along a path on the West side of the house--more treasures beyond...

Pinellia pedatisecta and Asarum europaeum

Just look at the sweep of wild ginger on the bottom right and the aroid in the middle--one of the pests he obtained from me. In maritime climates many Pinellia are regarded as terrible invasives. In my very dry garden they are well behaved. In Keith's lush garden they are somewhere in between...I think Keith is wavering on this one...

More wonderful views of the peaceful back yard on Garden visiting day.

Wonderful container extravaganzas--different every year!

Indoors Keith maintains a wonderful assortment of gems--like these sexy begonias...

And many benches groaning with orchids--one of Keith's passions. He has a premier collection of all manner of orchids (he's a mainstay of the Denver Orchid Society and repeat past officer including president). I can't imagine how many ribbons he's won!

Another simple, elegant cluster of containers. I have taken hundreds of pictures in this garden: I'm trying to give a taste: It is impossible to capture all its facets in a short blog post...

I'm not a huge fan of garden sculpture, but I admire this serene Flora garlanded with recognizable foliage of Monstera, Manihot and possibly Marihuana as well as a daisy whose Latin name I hope begins with an "M". I know the Mother goddess treads his lawn when no one's looking...

What pictures cannot convey is Keith's enormously winning personality: he and Retha glow with love for one another, for their family, friends and the entire community. They possess restless intellects, integrity and a social conscience. For three decades Keith has shared his wisdom, wit and wonderful humor from 7:00-9:00AM on Saturday mornings that you can watch on Facebook at this link. Or on radio if you are in the Denver area at 810 KLVZ radio (or if you click the Station letters you can also listen to him on your computer).

If you haven't deduced it yet, I am a big fan of Keith's (not uncommonly calling into his program). I think he has the most beautiful and diverse private garden in the Front Range, and believe he's the best horticulturist in our region (OK, along with Kelly Grummons!). Do check him out if you haven't!

And if you're on Facebook you can see a short movie clip I did a few years ago of his festive front garden by clicking here!

And he now has a brand-spanking new website!