Linda Brazill & Mark Golbach

During the past few years, I have had the pleasure of teaching a few times at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. As a result, my husband, and I came to be friends with a couple we now count among our favorite people. We share not only a passion for gardening, but between the four of us, a love for art, food, politics and, for those of the Y chromosome, Bob Dylan.

As for their garden, I quite simply believe Linda’s and Mark’s to be one of the best I’ve seen. Mark’s background as a painter and sculptor and Linda’s as a writer and textile artist stands them in good stead for the Asian-style garden they’ve been creating over the past 13 years. When they went to buy this home, they looked for alot with the smallest house and largest landscape space within the city limits.

Not only have they personally directed the excavation of the pond, placed every stone, planted and maintained the plants, but Mark has built a bridge, fence, gates and is now in the process of completing a Japanese teahouse as well. The attention and depth they bring to each landscape decision, and the resulting effect, makes this a very special place. They occasionally open their garden to local tours. If you wish to contact them: lbrazill@madison.com