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Pickets: Seagrove’s Secret Little Garden

09.10.09 | Ilona Erwin | 6 Comments

This is the arched trellis arbor that caught my eye as we were driving back along Highway 30-A to our home base after visiting “Seaside” and buying the T-shirt;)

I begged my husband to “just stop for a minute” to let me get a picture of that garden. He obliged, but little did he, or me for that matter, realize that I was about to go down a rabbit trail to a little piece of Wonderland.

I tentatively stood at the outside of the garden and started taking pictures of the charming birdhouse mailbox, then peeking over the hedge and past the arched arbor I followed the dusty brick road and barged right in, no, make that fell down the rabbit hole after the white rabbit. “Just a few pictures can’t hurt”, I thought. I snapped a few of lovely little vignettes before realizing: this was a gift shop! I felt slightly better about trespassing for my gluttonous desire of garden pictures for my dear blog readers (yes, I will blame it on you…it was all for you!)

Inside was a display of tasteful treasures in all the colors that I have come to love … the colors of sand and sea and roses, beach sunrises, and turquoise waters. Soon joined by another customer, I remembered the family out in the car, but then struck up conversation with a Southern gentleman, who humbly says he is just married to the creator of this gardened place, so full of unique personality and Southern grace.

It was Jo Ann Mathis and her mother who began and then filled this garden with the butterfly spangled plantings, the small circular Victorian garden, and the shady seating surrounded by blooms. She runs the shop that is filled with shelves of pretty things. I learned that I was not the first to want to photograph this place. Mary Englebreit had also been drawn into this intimate and quiet place off of the busy thoroughfare… her people didn’t even have to stage anything I’m told. And I believe it… as you can see from even my amateur pictures.

lovely garden

the birdhouse mailbox

You can see the birdhouse mailbox that drew my interest and the arched arbor in the background. I would have liked to have stayed and gotten an interview and more pictures, but my tired family was waiting and I found they were actually worried that the garden behind the gate had swallowed me whole! I apologized profusely and went away with the satisfaction of seeing a garden that personal love and creativity had built.

They say there is buried treasure in these parts, all I know is that this little gift shop and its garden are really gems in Seagrove, Florida, along the Emerald Coast.

If you wish to visit Pickets gift shop, it is located at the corner of Nightcap St. and 30-A in Seagrove.
Open from 10-5 on Tues. thru Sat.
Jo Ann Mathis’ business number is 850.231.2036

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About Ilona Erwin

I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

DISCLOSURE: I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. Thank you, in advance for your support! Privacy Policy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bangchik and Kakdah says

    October 10, 2009 at 12:25 am

    A lovely garden which has blended well with nature… sweet! ~bangchik

  2. Ilona says

    October 10, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    It was a very sweet place. Visited your blog- it is quite interesting. My SIL is from the Jakarta area in your part of the world 🙂

  3. Flowers says

    October 12, 2009 at 5:34 am

    I love garden art and the way you have shown it, it is my biggest passion.

  4. Mary says

    October 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Adventures like this give us memories that last a long long time.

  5. Vicki Simone says

    June 24, 2011 at 1:01 am

    I love this sweet shop! We’re about to head back to Seagrove for another beach vacation and Pickets is on my list of to-dos!
    vbkitchens

  6. Vicki Simone says

    June 24, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Pickets is one of my favorite spots in the Seagrove/Seaside area. For several years, I drove by (with my husband) and wished that we could stop. One day, my Mother and I happened to be out for the day and we took the time to wander in! It is the most wonderful spot. Thje Arched trellis leads you in and you are hooked! I hope to have a similar trellis in my garden soon!

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I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

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