While most people trudge off to the office each day, Bridget ventures into the garden. This is where she spends her days, foraging for flowers, seed pods, berries, stems and leaves that she can reincarnate as artworks. Bridget's delicate and awe-inspiring artworks are composed from deconstructed blooms sourced from her garden, rambles through her neighbourhood and her mother's sprawling "secret garden". But, for Bridget, the garden is more than just her work and she describes her little patch in Seattle as "her everything". She and her husband stumbled upon the magical courtyard hideaway, complete with lilacs and dogwoods, in the middle of the busy city. Bridget has since discovered slate stones and stone garden beds beneath the weeds. She has created a "fleur de lawn", replacing the grass with low-growing wildflowers, and planted window boxes, ensuring pretty blooms are on hand for her breathtaking work throughout the year.
 |
| Bridget and son Oliver forage for treasures. Photography: Jamie Spiro |
 |
| One of Bridget's floral artworks for her business Flora Forager. |
What is the story of your garden?
My husband had always wanted to live in the city, so a
couple of years ago we set out looking for a house. My one requirement
was that I could still have a secluded garden. In an area where many houses use
the strip of land in front of their house for their garden because houses are
so jampacked together, it seemed nearly impossible to fulfill this dream. (As
an aside I also said I had to have a rounded door like a hobbit hole, but that
was a joke.) We searched and searched, but we could not find the right
house. One morning, feeling bedraggled, my husband showed me a picture of
a cute little house with red rounded door. We got in the car and rushed
to see it. The very first thing I did was wander around to the back yard. There,
I found a small overgrown courtyard with a perfect grove of lilacs and
dogwoods. I sat down and, though the busy city was all around, I could hear bird
song and felt at peace. Before I stepped foot into the house, I knew this
secret garden was my very own.
 |
| The pretty facade and front garden of Bridget's home. Photography: Bridget Collins |
What changes have you made to it?
The first thing I did was pull back all of the overgrown ivy
and periwinkle vines. I couldn't believe it! There were sandstone raised
beds and slate stones underneath. The bones were exactly what I wanted. I had a
shed made with the old round door from the house, and I put in a winding path.
I planted my favorite roses from our last house, a few perennials, and a tiny
herb patch.
Any big challenges?
I had to hire someone to come and shape the trees for me. I had
to cut some way back and that was heartbreaking. It's taken a couple of
years for some of the lilacs to bloom again.
.jpg) |
| The glorious back yard that Bridget has restored. Photography: Bridget Collins |
 |
| A sweet herb patch gets an artistic makeover. Photography: Bridget Collins |
 |
| Bridget replaced the lawn with wildflowers. Photography: Bridget Collins |
Your favourite feature?
I have a little stone dragon. It's as kitschy and
silly as can be but I adore it.
How do you like to spend time in your garden?
During the summer it's another room to the house. I
drink my coffee in it, have people over for dinner alfresco, and picnic and
play in it.
 |
| The stone dragon that won Bridget's heart. Photography: Bridget Collins |
 |
| A window box brimming with blooms. Photography: Bridget Collins |
 |
| The Leopard, created from flower petals for Flora Forager. |
How does your garden inspire you?
It is my everything. I
have a business called Flora Forager where I use its flowers to create
art. It is my sanctuary when I need a moment to myself. And when
everything in life feels cluttered, there's nothing like pulling weeds and
organizing my plants to make me feel more aligned.
What are your must-haves for a garden?
I must have roses, always and always. I love hostas. Thyme
is my favorite herb. And I love everything to be really rambling and full.
 |
| A climbing clematis in bloom. Photography: Bridget Collins |
 |
| The Firebird, an artwork by Bridget for Flora Forager. |
