Last month four members of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society opened their gardens for late afternoon/evening tours. Our "garden girls" gang of four toured them together. That way we got to socialize, share info and answer each other's questions.
The plant behind the Rodgersia (below) is Stylophorum diphyllum aka Wood Poppy, happily growing in the garden of Mary Ellen and Tom LaChance. This can be fairly aggressive in a woodland garden. When I've found it in my garden I've always pulled it out. But it was used to great effect in two of the gardens. I fell in love with it on this tour and just ordered one for my garden.
I have not had success with the flashier varieties of Athyrium ferns but I am ready to try again. I think this is A. 'Oceans Fury' and I have a spot for it next to my Hakonechoa grass to recreate this scene from Rita Thomas' garden.
This pairing of a Hosta with Shredded Umbrella Leaf (Syneilesis aconitifolia) in Rita's garden is a much more attractive combination than the grouping in my garden. Another idea worth imitating.
Andrea Diss-Torrance lives around the corner from where I shared a flat in the 1970s. This is a view of her neighbor's back steps from the path into Andrea's back garden. Not really my style and yet it's pure perfection catches my heart.
Andrea is a serious gardener and uses her side of the path for plantings and tools.
She is the queen of container plants with dozens of them staged on her back deck which has steps framing two sides.
She has a greenhouse/shed and incredible willow structures to hold up climbers. Most amazing of all are her wattle fences. Her property is a lesson in garden history as well as proof that you can be creative in small spaces.
Stephanie O'Neal's garden is another example of small space gardening. When I got home I realized I spent so much time talking with Stephanie that I never took any pictures of her garden.
So many wonderful pairings, which, with the exception of the coleus, I can't emulate. I envy you the local garden tour with friends too. It's been too long since I've had that pleasure here.
Posted by: Kris P | Friday, July 22, 2022 at 02:53 PM
KRIS — The one nice thing is that we've been able to get together and visit each other's gardens and go on tours, because it's all outdoors. Trying to take advantage of the summer since it sounds like the new variant means indoor gatherings may be off our list this winter again.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, July 22, 2022 at 03:19 PM
These are great combinations. I especially like the Hosta with Shredded Umbrella Leaf. Glad you had a chance to be enjoy these gardens and garden friends.
Posted by: Susie at pbmGarden | Friday, July 22, 2022 at 06:47 PM
Syneilesis aconitifolia seems to look a little different in every photo/garden I see it in. Such a great plant.
Posted by: danger garden | Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 11:20 AM
DANGER — I have a friend who grows it in a long swathe. An idea that had never occurred to me, but it looks wonderful.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 11:25 AM