The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 11

I Wednesday, June 9, 1999 City People ii ii ii Rizer-sharp design Don Rizer took ideas from his favorite gardens and wove something of his own iVi? $)s share the atmosphere of Charleston and Savannah. Rizer's business is located at street level for convenience with his living quarters on the second and third levels for privacy. Tucked between them is a courtyard garden, accessible from the side and rear of the property. "A garden is a wonderful place for entertaining," says Rizer. "It can be an extension of the home an outdoor room.

An abundance of space is not necessary; a well-executed plan is required," says Rizer. He collected ideas and photographs for his overall concept. "Sid Harris, a landscape designer, handled the details," he says. "Once you have a plan, you need someone capable to execute it." "The garden is 10 feet lower than the raised driveway running along the back of the property. I knew I had to control the water or the Sharon Brown Contributing Writer Don Rizer's city garden is an inviting retreat.

It appeared on the Greenville Council of Garden Club's spring tour, and his elegant home, which he renovated in stages, will appear on the Greenville Symphony Tour of Homes next fall. His catering business is not listed in the phone book, but those in the know call on Rizer to cater galas, fund-raisers and wedding receptions. During the restoration of his combination home and office at the corner of Toy and East Washington Streets, neighboring office workers often stopped to watch the work in progress. For the exterior, Rizer chose a custom-blended color of apricot and pink. The color, so prevalent in Charleston, brings to mind a seashell.

Much of the house and garden Don Rizer learned what he knows about gardening from his mother and grandmother. garden would be a bog. It was a complex situation." A spectacular sun room at the anterior of Rizer's home opens onto the courtyard. A majestic lion's head fountain in the garden is the focal point from the rear window. Clusters of lush hostas and ferns frame the fountain in raised beds.

The soothing sound of the water invites visitors from the house into the garden. Pink angel begonias add color on towering bamboo-like spires: The plants are more than five feet tall. Raised trellis panels are centrally placed, along with Grecian urns and "four seasons" statuary. "I like garden art," Rizer says. "I continually search for objects to add interest to the garden." "I watched the sun patterns while designing the garden.

Presently, I have one shade area and one blazing sun area. But right now I water daily. I'm working on irrigation and lighting. It's an evolving process." Rizer selected some plants especially for their fragrance, like the magnolias, along with tea olives and gardenias. Geraniums, petunias and other annuals provide the color of the season.

This summer it's a cooling palette of lavender, blues, purples and yellow. The basic bones of the garden are brick, selected again to simulate those of historic Charleston. "We designed a sweeping, curved staircase to make a dramatic rear entrance," Rizer says as he pinches the Confederate jasmine along the iron rail along the steps. "I looked everywhere for garden gates and never found just the right look. So Rock Browning at Browning Ornamental and Iron created these.

I gave him the wheat pattern and described what I wanted. Again, the execution is crucial: He is a real craftsman." The shade area's foundation is a geometric grid design of brick pavers and flagstone. "I chose these components to handle the water, to add to the Charleston look and because their colors complemented the general plan." A seating area under a pergola is the focal point in the sunny side of the garden. Rizer created a background of magnolias, hydrangeas and three varieties of palms. "The palms add unique texture and continue the Low Country appeal.

Some can take the Greenville winters. Some 5 .1 Photographs by ALAN DEVORSEY Staff iff -h Don Rizer created this eye-catching garden in the middle of downtown. must be moved inside. You tion for gardening and land- best of everything your fa-have to watch the weather scape design in his childhood vorites and weave them conditions. Our (planting) back yard in Olar, S.C.

"Rob- into something of your own. zone requires observation, ert Marvin designed my par- Cultivate yourself and your trial and error." rats' yard and garden. He's own gardeili It's a lifelongi Rizer says he acquired his nationally known now for dis- evolvi process. knowledge and good taste tJn8ulshendr. urban through reading.

His two fa- Today- 35 years later' Mar" Rizer strolls to the sunny vorites: the Reader's Digest vin's Plan is stiU in Place at side of his garden with water edition of "Garden Design, the home of my Parents: hose in hand. Remember, the How To Be Your Own Land- Melle and Earle Rizer- irrigation is not yet in place, scape Architect," by Robin jjjs mother and grand- But it's in the plan the un- William and "Plants of the mother were avid gardeners, folding creation of this inti- Southeast." His mother still is. From them mate garden and the home it Rizer acquired his apprecia- he learned that, "You take the enhances. "-JL r-r a. 111 mmSm" The garden's fountain can be seen from the sun porch.

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