Marilyn Ruff’s Garden of Leaves, Flowers and Fragrance

July 7, 2026

The flower-filled pocket-sized garden was my next stop on the Garden Conservancy’s Denver Open Days tour in June. Arms raised in joy, the metal goddess welcomes you to her garden.

Owner and author Marilyn Ruff, a longtime gardener and rock garden enthusiast, took up residence on the small property when she was around 70 years old. She loves the colors and scents and both plants. A narrow gravel path leads to the house through wildflowers and grass.

mexican tulip poppy

white prickly poppy

horn poppy

The dogbashiri rock garden becomes increasingly steep, and there are differences in elevation along the path.

Yuccas, red roses, and giant fleece flowers surround a scalloped edged birdbath.

roses and giant fleece flowers

Hypertufa planter with one of Marilyn’s broken plate garden accessories. Reminiscent of a lucky horseshoe.

lavender fromis

Another rose that Marilyn loved

“Miss Willmott’s Ghost” Elyngium

And finally look at the goddess in the garden

Next is the rock garden filled with colorful cacti. Click here to take a look back at Keith Funk’s flowering rock garden surrounded by pines.

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“‘Gardens of Texas’ is not your typical doorstop-cum-coffee-table book filled with beautiful images of beautiful gardens you could never hope to realize. The photographs are definitely inspiring, but Pam’s thoughtful and detailed storytelling and the ‘Try This At Home’s features make me feel empowered to create similar garden magic…on a late August afternoon when the mercury soars in Austin and we’re stuck indoors, this is what I curl up with. ”

–MomInAustin, Amazon Reviewer

Gardens of Texas: A vision of resilience from the Lone Star State is here! Enjoyed by anyone who loves gardens and the natural beauty of Texas. Available at Amazon, other online book retailers, and stores nationwide. Click here for more information.