If you were among the many enchanted by the lush, hypnotic world of HBO’s The White Lotus - its tropical splendor, fragrant air, and slow-drifting sense of escape - you don’t need to fly to Maui to feel that magic. 

 Tucked within the historic charm of Galveston’s Cedar Lawn neighborhood lies a backyard so rich with color, scent, and stillness, it feels like a scene from your own private episode. The backyard garden behind the gate of Seal and Ross Grief’s property is an island oasis. 

 Much like the fictional White Orchid resort in Season 1 of The White Lotus, filmed at the dreamy Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, the Griefs’ backyard unfolds like a tropical reverie. 

 At the heart of this tropical retreat, a shimmering pool mirrors the wide Texas sky, encircled by blooming plumeria trees, hibiscus in painterly shades, and bougainvillea that cascades like jeweled waterfalls. Mandevilla vines spill across glossy foliage, bursting with vibrant blossoms that evoke the ambiance of a boutique Hawaiian hideaway. 

 Plumeria thrives here in hues of soft pink, pale gold, and creamy white, welcoming guests with color, fragrance, and a sense of tropical tranquility. 

 “With plumeria, it's common to simply break off a stick and plant it directly in the ground; that’s how they take root and grow,” Seal said. 

 

 “During winter, many gardeners bring their plumerias indoors, removing them from pots or the ground and placing them in the garage for protection. Then, when spring arrives, they return the plants outside, and they start growing again.” 

 Around the pool, some 40 container plants - several weighing more than 50 pounds - give the space a resort-like feel, artfully arranged and full of personality. 

 The transformation didn’t happen overnight, nor was it drawn from a landscape architect’s blueprint. This oasis grew over years of dedication, experimentation, and love, tended and shaped by Seal and her husband of 61 years. 

 “My gardening journey began years ago when I joined a local garden club. I discovered that I really loved gardening,” she said. “I mean, I really loved it and so does my husband.” 

 Through shared tips, plant swaps, and monthly meetings, she learned how to make the most of Galveston’s coastal climate. That knowledge took root, literally, in the couple’s backyard. 

 Gardening became both a creative outlet and a shared labor of love. The Grief’s divide the duties of watering, feeding, pruning, and protecting their growing collection of tropical specimens. 

 “There’s something satisfying about planting something, feeding it, caring for it, and then seeing the success that comes out of it. The plants get bigger and prettier. I love it.” 

 Over time, the pool became framed by a curated riot of color, featuring favorites such as mandevilla, oleanders, caladiums, and Gerber daisies. The palette leans into whites and pinks - Seal’s favorites - but also includes sunny pops of yellow, at her husband’s request. 

 Beyond the visual delight, the garden offers a profound sense of peace. Cedar Lawn was Galveston’s first fully planned residential subdivision, designed in the 1920s with a distinctive butterfly-shaped layout. 

 

 The Griefs have spent 27 years growing roots. Their garden mirrors the neighborhood’s blend of order and individuality, marrying structure with wild splendor. 

 Of course, Galveston’s climate presents challenges. Hurricanes and tropical storms can undo a season’s work in mere hours. Seal meets the adversity with a gardener’s resilience. 

 After storms, they inspect every plant, trim broken limbs, and replant what’s lost. In winter, they enlist help to move cold-sensitive plants into the garage using dollies. Plumerias, which go dormant in winter, are among the most carefully protected. 

 Many of their plants, including the plumeria, started not as expensive nursery buys but as shared cuttings. 

 “We started growing plumerias from sticks. They're really pretty expensive to buy, and they grow well just from a stick,” she said. 

 “I get so many compliments, so I give cuttings to neighbors and friends, and they stick them in the ground, and they just take off.” 

 It’s not just about creating beauty; it’s about building community. “Gardening is about growing and giving,” she said. “I just like sharing it with others.” 

 Among her favorite plants is Joseph’s Coat, a low-growing plant with kaleidoscopic leaves that add interest even when flowers fade. 

 “The foliage changes colors with the seasons; greens and purples in fall and winter, and lighter colors in spring.” 

 But what sets this garden apart isn’t the rarity of the plants; it’s the care behind them. Each container tells a story of trial, error, and delight. The garden is more than a backdrop; it’s a living testament to creativity and joy. 

 Ask Seal how the octogenarian couple manages such a lush retreat, and she’ll wave off the notion of being born to garden. 

 “Believe me, I don’t have a green thumb,” she said. “I just love doing it, so I guess that helps. There’s something special about planting, feeding, and nurturing a plant. Any plant. I love the success of watching them get bigger and prettier.” 

 She and her husband are especially fond of the plumeria. “When people think of plumeria, they think of Hawaiian leis that people put around their necks,” she said. 

 “Ross said we should take the petals and sew them on a lei and sell them,” she joked. “But I don’t think we’ll be doing that.”