The Pasadena neighbors of Bob and Ronnie Weidenhammer don’t have to travel to professionally groomed gardens in nearby cities to see a springtime wonderland. The floral display is right next door in the Weidenhammer’s yards.
In 1979, the couple bought a new split-level house in a small community off of Magothy Bridge Road, along the upper reaches of the river on nearly an acre of hilly land. Where most homeowners would be daunted by the deep wooded ravine dropping down from the house, Mr. Weidenhammer envisioned the terrain as a perfect backdrop for hillside azalea gardens, natural waterfalls and ponds brightened with fish and water lilies.

Today his dream unfolds in brick-lined steps on a stairway fitting into the hillside and ending into paths that wind through the banks of azaleas. A gazebo furnished with padded chairs and a table nestling under a canopy of trees is one of the stopping off places to sit and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Another path circles around a circular brick-walled pond into which flows a series of waterfalls following the gentle slope of the hillside. A sculptured angel perches on the high brick wall that forms a border for one of the many azalea gardens.

The lighted paths have niches for benches which can serve both for resting and looking. What makes the landscaping more unusual is that Mr. Weidenhammer has done all of the masonry work, design and plantings himself.

But before the gardens came into being, he started making improvements to the original house, a traditional split level design, with three bedrooms, living, dining and kitchen on the upper level and family room below. One of the first changes he made was to cover an interior wall in the dining area with mirrors to help give an illusion of space in the main room.

He also “bumped out” the foyer, providing easier access to the front entrance and to the stairs that either go up or down from this entry. The exterior he covered with stones, which he also used extensively throughout the gardens in the walls, paths and ponds.

The stones were personally brought by Mr. Weidenhammer from his brother’s farm in northern Baltimore County. His first experiment with ponds was building one in the front of the house, between the entry door and the garage. Although it was built 20 or more years ago – he can’t quite remember when – it looks fresh and manicured and is home to fish who stay in the water year-round.

In fact, his ponds are so full of fish that he welcomes the Great Blue Herons who come by for a feast.

“When I want to get rid of them, I just open the door and my dog, Joey, comes out,” he said. “That’s all it takes to scare them away.”

Although gardening is his love, Mr. Weidenhammer has also done considerable construction work to the house. An early endeavor was to enclose the 8 foot deck into a 12 by 22 foot sun room located off of the living/dining room and doubling the main floor living space.

A series of double windows was placed around the rear and sides, allowing for views into the gardens as well as bringing lots of light into the house.

Underneath the sun room, he built a brick enclosed room that can double as a game room and a green house. For example, he is able to keep geraniums alive for years by bringing them into this room during the cold months and then taking them back outside when the weather allows.

Another of the early improvements the couple made to the property was to add a swimming pool in a side yard which is on the same ground level as the house. The pool is bordered by a concrete apron but beyond that are more flowers and shrubs.

Spending most of his time outdoors, especially when the weather is good, Mr. Weidenhammer turns over the interior decorating to his wife. Recently, she had two walls painted a bright rose shade. One is at the end of the living room, the other is in the foyer. Another wall around the front door is painted yellow.

“I’m in a mood for vibrant colors,” she said, in explaining her color choices.

Mr. Weidenhammer, a retired industrial engineer, used his construction skills to build an apartment in the lower level for Mrs. Weidenhammer’s sister. During the winter season when outdoor gardening is limited, he works as a tax consultant.

But he claims the house work is not finished. One project he’s eyeing is to put a roof over an open deck that leads from his sun room to the gardens. But this month, he’s still busy planting and come summer his time is spent watering.

“My water bill really jumps come summer,” he said.

While he’s watering the gardens, cleaning the pool or adding another room to the house, Mrs. Weidenhammer serves as a youth minister at St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, located on College Parkway near Cape St. Claire. She formerly was a pupil personnel director for Anne Arundel County schools.

source : www.hometownannapolis.com