Who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to an island paradise? Wouldn’t it be lovely to find a secret spot, away from ringing telephones and rushing traffic, to lie back and sip a cool drink while looking out over crystal blue waters? On St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, one pair of American homeowners has made just such a dream come true. Two years ago, the couple bought a home on the northeastern coast of this tropical island, with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the neighboring British Virgin Islands. The house consisted of separate living units, or pods, flanking an open-air lanai and swimming pool. With temperatures hovering between the lower 70s at night and mid-80s during the day and constant balmy breezes, the climate invited outdoor living. The new owners wanted to make the most of this, surrounding their home with lush garden walkways and secluded spots for reading and relaxation.

Their Vision

The house, situated on two-thirds of an acre, was perched on the side of a steep hill. When the couple moved in, the terrain was overgrown with wild scrub and vines. One of their first priorities was to tame it and, if possible, convert it into the garden of their dreams.

They turned to Shelley and Cliff Bryan, owners of ABC Nursery and Landscaping, for help. Cliff Bryan grew up in St. Thomas, working on his parents’ family farm. His wife, Shelley, gardened for many years in colder U.S. climates, and is an expert on island garden flora. The Bryans relished the task of creating a secret garden paradise out of the hilly terrain. They gladly took on other challenges as well, such as protecting the plants from the northerly ‘Christmas’ winds and incorporating as many aspects of sustainable gardening as possible.

The Transformation

From the very first day that the home-owners and landscapers walked the property together, marking the outlines of potential paths with string, determination and imagination were hard at work. <br><br>During the next few months, the owners were frequently called back to the U.S. on business. In their absence, the Bryans worked steadily, clearing the underbrush, pruning trees and creating the hardscape that would give the garden definition. They constructed steps, walkways and low retaining walls using the local blue stone grouted with a mixture of cement, shells and pieces of broken brick for a natural look. They created ponds and waterfalls that fit into the landscape so perfectly they looked like they’d always been there. Trimming away the native vegetation, they were able to create shady, canopied paths and cool, tropical-looking landings. They highlighted the areas with colorful bromeliads, birds of paradise and ground-orchids, bringing vivid colors and an exotic flavor to the garden. Each time the homeowners returned, the garden more closely resembled the corner of paradise they’d envisioned.

When the garden was finally completed, with its long winding pathways and secluded seating areas, it was every bit as enchanting as the owners had hoped it would be. The designers combined the tropical foliage and brilliant flowers of plants such as heliconias and anthuriums into a rich tapestry of color and texture. They added the perfume of frangipani, ginger and night-blooming jasmine to make these intimate spaces truly a pleasure to walk through and linger in.

The Tour

A visit to the garden today begins at the upper parking level, where stone steps lead down through a profusion of native and exotic plants to the home’s double wooden entrance gate. Just to the right of the gate is the first of four seating areas. The rich, soft yellow of the home’s outer wall provides a refreshing backdrop for the chaise longue and side table tucked away in this inviting nook.

From here the stone path winds around the side of the house to a second seating area overlooking a small pond, framed with ground-orchids, plumbago and alamanda shrubs. The eastern wall of the house flanks one side of this tranquil space. On the other side stands a large, reddish-colored rock outcropping. Anyone who didn’t know better would think the garden ended here.

But this is where the magic begins. The large rock outcropping, standing almost eight feet tall, isn’t what it seems to be. In reality it’s a manmade wonder—a fiberglass and rubber mesh composite, hollow on the inside and supported by a steel frame. Most surprising of all, just like the stone blocking the entrance to Aladdin’s cave, this rock can be moved. This brilliant feat of garden whimsy is a credit to Shelley Bryan’s determination and ingenuity. After some trial and error she succeeded in having a hinge welded onto the faux rock so that it now swings open, allowing access to an even more secluded part of the garden.

Behind the secret rock, the path leads through a leafy canopy of native plants, past a tiered waterfall on the right, to an arbor-covered landing. Under the arbor, two chairs sit beside a sculpture of a floating Buddha. The sculpture is raised above a large, shallow saucer planted with water lilies. From these seats the owners have a view of another pond and waterfall, where a trio of Indonesian musician statues sits serenely at the water’s edge.

The path loops around at this point to descend downhill in a long, gentle curve to the fourth and final seating area. This landing, where the owners enjoy having coffee first thing in the morning, affords a perfect view of the small, uninhabited island of Hans Lollick, home to nesting sea turtles and wild goats. The island sits some two miles away, across a breathtaking expanse of turquoise and green ocean.

Both the owners and the landscapers are pleased with the results. From a rocky overgrown hillside, they have truly succeeded in creating a secret garden paradise.