Garden visits: Linda and Bruce Christensen

We first met Linda and Bruce Christensen a dozen years ago when we visited each other's gardens to share experiences with water features, specifically ponds and waterfalls. I remember being impressed with their garden on that first visit; this time I was overwhelmed by its mature beauty. 

This is a garden that keeps you moving deeper and deeper into it, around curving shrubs, along grassy paths and over bubbling streams. 

The mossy rocks and Koi suggest this garden is in the Pacific Northwest, not southern Wisconsin.

We grow Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' which has foliage that is a similar color but the shape and scale of this weeping variety turn it into a focal point. 

The quiet planting around the Redbud also emphasize its star quality. 

One of the things that struck me about the Christensen's garden when I looked at the photos is how they use workhorse perennials and shrubs. They're planted in drifts and sweeps that give them a dramatic presence.  

Since this generous planting is only one kind and one color of flower, it draws your attention but not in quite the same way as the mixed planting at the edges of the beds. 

They also feature uncommon varieties of a common Midwestern workhorse like Hostas, mixing them in a thoughtful combination of color, size and leaf shape. The quiet Yew background gives them room to shine.

I am a big fan of gooseneck loosestrife and used to grow it in a small plot surrounded by concrete. 

It was a thrill to see it in a large display out in the garden, though it appeared to be held in check by stone paths. 

A section of lawn swept around to the exit leading out to the driveway . . .

where we came upon the last colorful and wildly dramatic planting along the edge of the driveway.

Comments

[Loree / danger garden]

How beautiful! And a nice little bit of summer too.

[Kris P]

Absolutely gorgeous. Oh, to have a garden with streams running through it!

[Erin]

I love that you save your garden visit posts until the middle of winter when we're all craving them so much. Another great garden. You have such a keen eye in other gardens and I always appreciate your opinion on them (and mine).

[Kristin]

Oh, there's lots of inspiration here. The loosestrife is beautiful, but I am afraid to plant it again after having it run wild.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

That is an amazing garden! I loved the Redbud--the prettiest one I've ever seen, especially the placement with other plants, as you mention. I'm sad that they won't be part of the Fling tours. :(

[Lisa at Greenbow]

What an enchanting garden. All that moss and ferns looking so healthy. It makes me realize I need water in my garden. I get a bad case of the wants this time of year. ha...

[Nell]

I love the subtle echo of the pink Astilbe at the base of the weeping 'Forest Pansy' redbud. All the flowers, but especially the sweeps of Monarda, are a welcome dose of summer in what already feels like the longest January in memory.I

Thanks for the visit!

[Nell]

What are the blue flowers in the mossy rocks image? Are they growing in the columnar container of in the ground? Their color really vibrates with the sun-dappled moss and the gold sedge-like foliage. Great shot.

[rusty duck]

That last photo is wonderful.
I discovered to my cost how eagerly the gooseneck loosestrife spreads. Concrete sounds about right!