outdoors
IN THE GARDEN
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5
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Ail
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lowers always impress,
and in Chris Beytes’
case, they worked
particularly well. He
gave Laura begonias on
their second date,
followed soon after by a
window box. Soon Chris and Laura got
married, and she’s been a container
gardener ever since.
When the couple moved into their
Illinois home in 2001, they had lots of
space, but nowhere to relax. “We had a
typical suburban house with a sea of
lawn and no landscaping,” Chris says.
Craving a private outdoor living area
—and a place for lots of pots—Chris and
Laura decided they needed a patio.
SET IT UP
Simple walls on
either side of the
patio,
above,
create
shade and privacy.
The Beyteses plant
most of their pot
collection with
tender plants such
as bromeliads
and crotons,
left,
and ornamental
peppers and other
annuals fill the rest.
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SEPTEMBER2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
