Barb Bees’ yard is a true showpiece this season. Over the last couple of years, she redesigned the entire front yard and both sides, turning the space into a lush, welcoming garden that’s finally hitting its stride. While most of the work was done by professionals, Barb shoulders the ongoing task of watering and upkeep as the plants fill in and the beds mature.
What makes this garden special is the bold mass plantings chosen in the design. As you stroll the yard, you can see the perennials and shrubs starting to pop, creating layers of color, texture, and movement. Barb also adds charm and practicality with a variety of planters scattered throughout the landscaping, adding height, interest, and opportunities for seasonal accents.
Photos of Barb’s yard capture the evolution—from initial installation to the thriving, self-assured garden that’s taking shape this year. The mix of bloom, foliage, and structure promises a lively year ahead, with new growth hinting at even more color as the seasons progress. Her garden is becoming a standout feature in Morrison, and just one of many beautiful gardens in Morrison—proof that thoughtful planning, paired with regular care, can turn a yard into a living, growing work of art.
A bit of history from Barb: A quiet revolution has blossomed in Barb’s garden, and it’s been a three-year journey that feels as intimate as restoring her home. What began as a simple idea to reopen the space has grown into a daily ritual—an extension of the house that Barb is still finishing, one careful decision at a time.
The backbone of the garden’s renewed charm is the stonework, installed in the early 2000s by Joel Cook of JC Associates. So solid and well done that it barely needed a touch-up during the latest refresh. Joel isn’t just a contractor here; he’s become a partner. He knows Barb’s taste inside out and brings a calm, creative eye to every corner. Together, they’ve mapped out the planters Barb has gathered over the years, giving new life to perennials that had survived but were lost. Joel’s expertise as a certified landscape architect keeps the vision steady, ensuring every plant choice lines up with the home’s style and Barbs’s planting personality.
One central idea they agreed on was balance through more pots and thoughtful in-ground plantings in key spots to keep balance. The front entry needed something extra—pillars that would glow with light and draw attention to the house’s architecture without shouting. The aim? Let the house breathe and pull forward at the same time, so the garden becomes a natural extension rather than a separate realm.
Plant shopping remains a happy ritual. Barb loves those nursery runs, bringing home the plants to fill the pots and select new ground cover to weave into the beds. The project’s earlier phase began with Bard’s clear-out of excess growth, letting the space breathe. They added tree hydrangeas to frame the front and establish a sturdy, welcoming silhouette. For larger specimens, Joel turned to Kent Rewerts of RKR Landscaping, ensuring the garden’s backbone has heft and presence.
Today, the garden feels like a living diary of Barb’s tastes and the collaboration that shaped it. It’s a place she describes as revolutionary—where the simple acts of planting, watering, and weeding become daily rituals that restore not just soil and blooms, but a sense of home. Barb’s garden isn’t finished, but that’s part of its charm: a space in progress, inviting and intimate, where every season adds a new page.
