Hidden Garden

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TEXT AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS CHRISTEN

Imagination takes flight under the spreading arms of a giant Colorado blue spruce in the front yard of a west Omaha home. Here, a magical garden blooms with flowers, plants, reflection balls, decorative birdhouses and other curious things.

Disney's Pixie Hollow barely compares to this labor of love for Joan Eusterbrock Trygg. The garden has evolved as a gift to her grandchildren, Ava, 6, and twins Audrey and Ian, 5. They're the children of Joan's son-in-law and daughter, Johnny and Amy Carson.

The evergreen's dense, low boughs had presented a mowing challenge for Joan, so five years ago, she picked up a saw and started removing branches nearest the ground. Little by little, an umbrella-like canopy emerged. But the ground was bare, so Joan started experimenting with shade-loving plants. To her amazement, they've thrived. Garden statuary, sun catchers and wind chimes draw giggles and squeals of delight from the grandkids. This year, Joan bricked a winding path for happy little feet beneath the natural ceiling.

Love and lasting memories grow here. The blue bird of happiness told us so.