From dying plants to a thriving lily paradise—a journey of passion, perseverance, and the power of that first bloom.
It started small. Unknown. A tiny patch of earth where nothing seemed to want to live. I was a complete beginner, armed with more enthusiasm than knowledge, watching plants wilt and wither despite my best efforts. Each failed attempt felt like a personal defeat—why couldn't I keep anything alive?
But then, one spring morning, everything changed. After weeks of doubt and disappointment, I saw it: a single green shoot pushing through the soil. Within days, it unfurled into the most beautiful flower I had ever seen. That moment—that first bloom breaking through the earth—transformed everything. I was hooked.
Your first garden photo here
I've always had a love of lilies. There's something about their elegant form, their bold colors, and the way they command attention in any garden that speaks to my soul. They became the stars of my garden, the flowers I couldn't stop planting, the ones I'd research obsessively and dream about in winter.
My husband and I would spend weekends planning where the next lily bed would go, how to showcase each variety, how to create that perfect moment when they all bloom together in a symphony of color. More flowers, more beauty, more joy—we wanted it all filling our yard.
Your lily collection photo here
The legendary Hulk Lilies
These aren't just any lilies. They've been growing in our garden for so many years, thriving and multiplying with such vigor and strength, that we gave them a name befitting their power: the Hulk Lilies. Year after year, they return bigger, stronger, more magnificent than before.
They've become family. When visitors come to the garden, we introduce them proudly: "And these are the Hulk Lilies." The name always gets a smile, but once people see them in full bloom—towering stems, massive flowers, unstoppable growth—they understand. These lilies are legends in their own right.
They represent everything we love about gardening: resilience, beauty, and the incredible reward that comes from nurturing something year after year. They're proof that even a beginner who once killed everything can create something truly spectacular.
My husband and I discovered that we both love playing in the dirt. There's something magical about working side by side, hands deep in the soil, debating where a new plant should go or discovering the perfect spot that's been waiting for the right flower. We're always finding new areas to bring beauty into our yard, transforming forgotten corners into thriving displays.
We love the show stoppers—those dramatic lilies and dahlias that make visitors gasp and stop in their tracks. But we also cherish the quiet creepers, the gentle ground covers and delicate bloomers that weave through the garden, providing the subtle beauty that makes everything else shine brighter.
Every season brings new experiments, new varieties to try, new combinations to perfect. Our garden has become an ever-evolving canvas, a living testament to what happens when passion meets persistence, when two people share a dream of creating something beautiful together.
After years of learning, experimenting, and growing, I realized I wanted to share this passion with others. Too many people think they don't have a green thumb, that gardening is some mysterious skill they'll never master. I was there once—watching plants die, feeling defeated, wondering if I'd ever get it right.
But I did get it right. And if I can transform a struggling patch of earth into a thriving lily paradise, anyone can. That's why The Highwood Gardener exists—to share not just beautiful bulbs, but the knowledge, encouragement, and confidence that every gardener needs to succeed.
Every bulb I offer has been tested in my own garden. Every growing guide comes from real experience, from years of trial and error, from lessons learned in the dirt. When you receive a bulb from me, you're not just getting a plant—you're getting a piece of my garden's story and all the wisdom that comes with it.
The principles that guide everything we grow and share
Every plant we grow, every bulb we share, every tip we offer comes from genuine love of gardening. This isn't just business—it's our life's joy.
If it doesn't thrive in our garden, we won't offer it to you. Every variety is personally tested and proven before it makes it to our collection.
We're building a community of gardeners who support, inspire, and learn from each other. Your success is our success.
The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.
— Alfred Austin
Explore our collection of tested, proven flowers and discover the growing guides that will help you succeed.
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