For Isle of Hope resident Liz Thompson, gardening is less about a master plan and more about following inspiration wherever it leads. After 20 years in the neighborhood, she has cultivated a landscape that feels both vibrant and deeply personal.

Thompson gravitates toward bold color and rich fragrance, often selecting plants on instinct and finding just the right spot for them later. Fresh-cut arrangements are part of her weekly routine, with even the smallest blooms—like ageratum—bringing life indoors.

While she handles most of the planting herself, her husband lends a hand when needed. Some of the most meaningful additions, however, have come from loved ones. Hydrangeas from one grandmother, ivy from another, along with cuttings from family and friends, create a living collection of shared memories throughout the yard.

The property, originally built in 1954, is also home to towering camellias believed to trace back to Judge Solomon’s collection. Blooming in succession with slight overlap, they provide months of color and remain one of the garden’s most striking features. More recent updates include new fencing and freshly planted roses following the loss of some earlier plantings.

The backyard, particularly around the pool, offers a sense of calm at the end of each day. Thompson embraces change in her garden, regularly swapping out plants and refining spaces—though she admits one misstep: a pea gravel walkway that has since been replaced with pavers.

Her advice is simple: keep plants well-watered and fertilized, and don’t hesitate to try something new if one doesn’t thrive. With an abundance of containers, watering can be her biggest challenge—but for Thompson, a thriving garden is always worth the effort.