At first, when Kathy Freeman and her husband first purchased their St. Paul home nearly 30 years ago, its yard wasn’t much to write home about – it featured plants here and there but not much in terms of gardens. But after one of the houses next door collapsed leaving Kathy and her husband with a vast lot to work with, Kathy began gardening more actively – flourishing gardens at what used to be known as Scott Freeman Place, named for prominent local official Scott Freeman himself soon ensued.
Freeman is widely known for her passion for roses, yet there are numerous elements in her garden that make it worth visiting. She excels at color selection and getting the most from her plants by scheduling bloom times according to species and cultivar; showing an expert hand with pruning and deadheading duties; while providing ample soil nourishment using compost as mulch to preserve plant health.
Freeman generously hosts the public at his garden, which serves as a park-like space where theater groups, yoga classes, graduations, weddings and gatherings have taken place over time. Neighbors, school children and athletes often gather here when indoor spaces become unavailable due to weather or social-disturbing events.
Freeman’s Garden is an oasis of inspiration and renewal. From misty spring mornings when catkins appear on aspens and birches to summer’s vibrant floral display of flowers, ferns, shrubs, reeds and shrubs – it encapsulates life’s cycles while depicting nature at work in all of its forms. Finally autumn brings close-up views of leaves and berries before winter takes its course with white flakes covering mid-brown grasses forming an ever- changing tapestry of white flakes covering mid-brown grasses!
Even though this garden may seem small, its fame has spread worldwide. Pictures have appeared in multiple books and magazines – most recently appearing in English edition of Pure Style Outdoors.” Recently, Freeman welcomed a French photographer for photoshoot for an upcoming article and her gardens have also been showcased on two television programs. For Freeman though, what makes her garden most fulfilling is how it brings people together. Hostess parties for charity events and is on the board of directors at Glen Ridge Garden Club since 2005, serving on their board’s Executive Committee since then. She has also published numerous academic and encyclopedic contributions including one chapter published by Nadine Farghaly in her edited volume Gender and Modern Sherlock Holmes: Essays on Film and TV Adaptations Since 2009 (2015).
