This view of the back yard shows part of the west container border and the shade area near the back, north side of the property. The Shed Garden was added in 1995 and the container border has evolved over the last five years or so. The lawn used to straggle over to a bench at the fence. The addition of a defined line and the containers adds a lot of color and interest to that side of the yard.
The 'Sum and Substance' and 'Frances Williams' are part of the original plantings but have never achieved the size they should be because the voles here root prune them every winter. At some point I'm going to dig all the hostas from that garden and replant them in cages. Until then, they are still very attractive and anchor the right side of that garden along with the trio of urns I added over the years. For some reason, I've never figured out, the voles don't normally 'prune' the beautiful Hosta 'Gold Standard' on the lower left of this image. It's a beautiful specimen and turns a lovely chartreuse as the summer progresses.
The view of the Sundial and Terrace Gardens looking northeast. The Asiatic Lilies 'Manhattan' make for a great splash of color next to the bird bath.
Asiatic Lilies 'Manhattan'
The Cement Grapes Container is filling in beautifully!
Clematis 'Polish Spirit' is just getting started.
More 'Manhattan' lilies on the east side of the house with Hydrangea Quercifolia 'Little Honey', Persicaria 'Painter's Palette', Heuchera 'Key Lime Pie', Astilbe and Hosta 'Golden Tiara'
The Terrace Garden looking West
Love the splash of light and contrasting texture from this Chasmanthium latifolium 'River Mist' (Northern Sea Oats). I've also added some annual Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' and Sunpatiens 'Variegated Spreading White' for more contrast and late season interest.
So I think I'm going to grab an iced tea and go do a bit of WALATing. (Walking Around Looking At Things) and take a few more minutes to peruse, enjoy and appreciate the joys of our June gardens.
Pausing and appreciating...definitely wise, too often forgotten! It is hard to sit back in a hammock. Too often it only takes a single dead leaf or weed to make me pop up and get back to work.
ReplyDeleteYou are right too about those periods of mourning. They ARE a cyclical thing. I've never looked at it that way before. Maybe I can conquer that. ;)
Ice tea? I hope you'll be serving something stronger than that on Sunday. lol Everything looks great, Deanne-can't wait to see it in person! My H. quercifolia 'Little Honey' is a dog compared to yours and Monique's.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue and Marie for visiting!
ReplyDeleteMarie, Like you, I rarely take any time to just have a relaxed look at what we've created here. I'm trying to make myself stop and LOOK at least every other day, literally 'smell' the flowers and enjoy the butterflies and birds that visit our urban oasis.
Sue, no worries, we have ample adult beverages on hand for our festivities this weekend. RE H. 'Little HOney' Mine has FINALLY really gotten some nice growth on it this year and is going to bloom! woohoo!
I'd love to be there....
ReplyDeleteLove that combo on the east side with the Persicaria, 'Little Honey' etc..
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy, One of those unplanned combinations that surprise me from time to time.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I'd love you to be here too!
Hi Deanne,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found your blog. We seem to have a lot in common with our gardens. I LOVE big container plantings and I also have come to like orange in them. Today I did a post on 'Manhattan' lilies. I will be following your garden growth all season.