MAKING DO IS A SKILL
that Virginia Armstrup learned
while growing up in rural Alaska. “It was difficult to get what we
needed,” says Virginia. “My mom would unravel an old sweater for
yarn to knit mittens. We used flour and water to make glue. It was
one of the best lessons of my upbringing.”
These days, the make-do mindset finds expression in Virginia’s
Anchorage garden, where she conjures enchanted scenes with found
objects, recycled materials, and salvaged plants. “Most of what I use
has been discarded outdoors, in alleys and roadways. I only take
home the pieces I really like,” says Virginia. A professional artist, she
complements her finds with her own creations, injecting colorful
personality into the landscape.
One of Virginia’s favorite places to scavenge is a local gravel pit.
She salvages native grasses that sprout up there, as well as attractive
stones. She then enlists her husband, Steve, to help carry it all home.
“I think of these as dates,” Virginia says. “Steve just laughs, because
he ends up carrying the heaviest loads.”
№&] Sfj
Virginia designed her
garden,
left,
to unfold
gradually w
ith paths
and island beds.
“I want visitors to
discover the magic on
their own,” she says.
“Every flowerbed has
something special. It
can be an unusual
texture, color, or leaf,”
such as geranium,
top,
and begonia,
above.
There’s much
more of this
garden to see
at BHG.com/
Alaskagarden
156
MAY
2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
