WHPS inspiration

One of the benefits of membership in the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society is the chance to tour members' garden. I visited Alice Page's westside garden last month. I saw lots to admire in her garden but nothing apropos for my garden — until I was clearing out this space where a large shrub had died. Since the location is right as you enter the back garden, it really needed attention. As I stared at the fence I suddenly remembered how I'd loved the path at Alice's garden awash in Cimicifuga and Thalictrum. I decided to use Cimicifuga racemosa 'Brunette' as the backbone of my design to get a similar frothy, ferny feel. 

I have this Cimicifuga growing all over my garden as you can see in the image below; it allowed me to divide a few of them to come up with a row of five plants of varying sizes to get this new bed started.

I added a giant Japanese painted fern 'Godzilla' (center front in the first image) which needed to be moved from its current location anyway. It strikes me as a perfect complement to the Cimicifugas. The 'Godzilla' in the garden area below is starting to mature with vertical fronds that are almost 3 feet tall. It gives you an idea of how nicely the other one will fill in the space in front of the Cimicifugas. 

I already had this little treasure from Far Reaches Farm growing nearby in a holding bed, so I just "slid" it over to add to the mix. It's a Chinese false Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum henryi) that I planted late last autumn and have kept caged to save it from the rabbits. 

This is what it will look like (below) when it gets to its mature size of 36 inches. Plus it's fragrant! It's listed as needing "shade to part shade" but I've put it in a spot that  will get some sun. All of the plants here are shade plants, but I know from experience that my best Cimicifugas and painted ferns all get some sun. 

Far Reaches Farm

I've tried to grow this Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) more than once with little success. I've had it in moist and dry shade but nary a flower. So I dug out both clumps and added them to the left of the painted fern in the first photo. 

Far Reaches Farm

This is also supposed to get about 3 feet tall, with white flowers and large leaves that look a bit like giant Jeffersonia or Podophyllum, which is clear to see in the image below from Far Reaches Farm website. 

These incredible blue berries that are the real reason to grow this plant. I've never managed to get any flowers on either of my Diphylleias, let alone berries. But I'm hopeful that a little more sun is the answer.

Great Plant Picks Photo

While I wait for things to grow and fill in, I am going to add some of this Tiarella 'Running Tapestry' as a ground cover to tie everything together.

This bed does not look like much at the moment but I'm hoping it will begin to make a statement by next year. I am pleased with it on two counts:

First, that I got the inspiration in a garden not far from my own;

Second, that I got all the plants by shopping my own garden. This year I've been able to refine a number of sparse areas with large divisions from elsewhere in the garden. I love being able to instantly fill in an area without having to shop anywhere but in my own garden. 

Comments

[Kris P]

Nice job! I'm enamored with 'Godzilla' but ferns, painted or otherwise, aren't especially happy in my climate.

[Barbara H.]

What fun to solve your problem by shopping your own garden. Sometimes those plant losses turn out for the best, though it can be hard at the time.

[Nell]

Betting that a little more sun will be the ticket for blooms from your special shade plants. My favorite of many cherished passages from Henry Mitchell: "Over the years, I must have read hundreds of articles with titles like 'You Can Have Flowers in Shade'. And in the end, what they all come down to is this: you cannot."

Nothing quite as satisfying as renovating and refurnishing a planting entirely with things already in the garden. Aside from the loaves & fishes thrill, you have so much more of a sense of how they'll grow, and look at different times of year.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

You just dipped into your treasure chest and filled a lovely spot with jewels. They will sparkle in a bit of sun no doubt.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Yes, I like that idea of shopping for plants in one's own garden. I'm trying to do more and more of that lately. 'Godzilla' looks great in that mature location, and I'm sure it will be wonderful with the Bugbane in the new location.

[Linda Brazill]

We are having a hot and dry July after our lovely cool wet spring. Every day is in the 80s to mid-90s and sunny and humid. Had to start watering and my ferns are all unhappy with the heat. They think they are in So. California by mistake!

[Linda Brazill]

Henry Mitchell was so witty and snarky and knowledgeable that he was a joy to read. I love your loaves and fishes analogy. You are also right that I know enough about these plants to have a sense of what will work where.

[Linda Brazill]

What a poetic way to look at it. You have such a lovely way with words. Hot as Indiana here!

[danger garden]

Nice work, on both accounts!

[Peter/Outlaw]

Great plant choices to fill that spot in your garden!

[Linda Brazill]

Thanks for the compliment. We are having a hot and dry July with temps in the high 80s and into the 90s. I am too wiped out by that weather to do anything but water and hope my new bed can weather the weather.