Mary Boerger

More Society... >Thursday Club Birthday Celebration > 60th Birthday Celebration > Your Garden - Mary Boerger

On Saturday evening, Aug. 13, Bob and I were invited to share the happiness of our dear friends, Ludwig and Nancy Fraines, as they celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary at their La Caņada Flintridge home. The spacious home is on three levels. On the street level are the living and dining rooms, the kitchen area and two bedrooms and baths. A stylish spiral stairway descends to the second level where a family room and two more bedrooms and baths are located. Along the back part of the two upper levels are long matching verandas. On the lowest level are more rooms and the main garden and a large patio in a natural woodland setting.

We have been to their home many times. They are excellent hosts who make their guests felt wanted and well-fed. The veranda outside the living room has a pleasing view of the mountains to the north and is often used at parties. We have seen the patio on the lowest level but it appeared to be unused for a long time.

On the night of the anniversary party, this patio was transformed into a gala place. A thoughtful arrangement of lights provided illumination that was just right. Strings of tiny clear lights along the wall were enveloped in shimmering net gathered into decorative poofs and these lights were augmented by a candle on each of the tables set for dining. Flowers were on each table also, and many more flowers were in containers set about the patio area for touches of color. At one end of the patio was a long table with wines and beverages and another laden with appetizers. At the other end was a raised platform where the musicians played.

Ludwig and Nancy and her parents came to our area from Chile, and many of their guests are bilingual in English and Spanish. Nancy's parents also reside in our valley and were present at the party.

Guests began dancing when the music started and after a while, the Fraines' daughter, Elizabeth, took the microphone and, accompanied by the band, sang several sentimental songs in Spanish to honor her parents. Elizabeth is a psychologist but has talent enough to be a professional soloist. About this time, Nancy and Ludwig appeared on the second level veranda and paused while their guests jubilantly applauded them. Ludwig was handsome in a white suit and Nancy was elegantly beautiful in a white lace dress and jacket ensemble, and carrying a large ribboned nosegay of white roses. Arriving downstairs, they were met by Father Kevin Kester of St. Bede the Venerable parish, who officiated as Nancy and Ludwig renewed their marriage vows. Following the ceremony, they kissed and danced romantically. Other couples joined them in dancing and after a while, a festive dinner was served. After more dancing, then the celebrating couple cut the cake in the manner of a new bride and groom.

What impressed me was the wonderful part the patio played for this party. It was a grand background for the 74 guests to have fun visiting, dining and dancing. The careful planning and thoughtful effort spent beforehand was well rewarded. It showed what can be accomplished with imagination and resolve when there is space enough.

Some yards, it is understood, cannot accommodate large groups but there are other yards with plenty of room and all that is needed is vision, determination, the right lighting materials and a good choice of plants. Many types of hardware for lighting are now available for using with any dŽcor or mood. Set along pathways and borders, they can define areas and they can highlight trees, outstanding plants and garden art objects. For night use, clear, amber, blue and green work well.

The sound of moving water from a fountain or waterfall can also add to the ambience of a nighttime party outdoors.

Since most outdoors evening parties are in summer, plants which bloom at that season should be considered and in shades of white, cream or yellow for greatest effect. There are many white-flowered plants which exude rich perfume or subtle fragrance.

Many bushes and vines, such as jasmine, roses, hydrangea and hibiscus, come in pale white or creamy shades. Some of the familiar plants that have white varieties and bloom in summer are lantana, verbena, daylilies, cosmos, daisies, centranthus, begonia, geranium, pelargonium, gerbera and gazania.

There are also plants with foliage that shimmers in the moonlight, such as night-blooming cereus and silvery Artemisia and some types of coleus. These will add to the enjoyment of any outdoor garden party and can truly be called the flowers of the night.