Tim Curry: Actor, Singer...Gardener

 

By now you've probably heard that Tim Curry died (the same day as Dolly Parton, actually-- you can read my tribute to her here). If you didn't know him from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, you probably know him from Clue, IT, Muppet Treasure Island, or one of his many other roles (he also did a lot of voice acting, so you've likely heard him, as well as seen him). He brought an amazing energy and glee to the characters he portrayed. I always thought he was a little scary, in the best possible way. He seemed like he would be a lot of fun to hang out with, and I wish I'd had the chance.

It was only recently that I found out that he was also an avid gardener! 

Tim not only created gardens wherever he lived, but he also worked on friends' gardens, including Freddie Mercury's, and restored historic properties around Los Angeles. When he bought his Aberdeen Ave home in LA in 1993, he spent six months clearing out weeds and restoring stone paths that had been buried under feet of dirt. By the time he sold it seven years later, the 1.45 acre property was filled with 150 rose bushes, a cactus garden, a koi pond, and 100 camellias around the pool. He even installed two benches--one where he could watch the sun rise, and one where he could watch it set.

He chose to downsize, moving to a more manageable property (about a third of an acre) in the same neighbourhood as his previous house. Even with a much smaller yard, he still created a courtyard full of potted plants, layered terraces with plants native to California, and stone alcoves for privacy. Gardeners always find a way.

By the time he died, he couldn't physically work in a garden anymore, due to mobility issues after suffering a stroke in 2012. But while a hired team did the labour, Tim still directed the design. He had a beautiful garden outside his house to enjoy until the end, with mature trees and greenery. We should all be so lucky.

Photos of his gardens seem to be limited, but here are a few that I found:

What do you think of Tim Curry's work, in his gardens or otherwise? Share in the comments...

Take care of yourselves...

Aspasia

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.