“Most gardeners look at their gardens, but you go into this one,” explained Ted Bair. Bair and Harvey Filister’s garden is enchanting. They purchased the 1925 house in 1994 and have melded it and the garden into a single unit. Harvey is the collector, Ted the designer.

Enter through a wrought-iron arbor and interior fence covered with wispy fronds of weeping larch and hemlock. Enjoy the upstairs window boxes brimming with annuals. Notice the unusual intersectional hybrid peonies that never need staking. Then follow the winding path to the back of the house, where visitors will gasp in amazement at first sight of this unique urban back yard. Stone bridges, ponds, containers displaying rare and unusual plants, huge koi, cascading water and an incredible collection of hostas, beautifully arranged and displayed, create this lovely space.

Unusual trees and shrubs, rare conifers, multiple types of groundcovers and native wildflowers mingle to elicit “oohs and ahhs.” A pineapple theme is repeated in hose minders and bird baths. Foreign influences far from Minnesota are evident. Unusual plants and interesting garden sculptures from Japan, England and Italy add unique diversity.

The gardens feel spacious, yet the space is relatively small. In this enchanting garden, you become one with nature.