Garden Photo of the Day

Michael’s garden in Washington, Day 1

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale

Today’s photos are from Michael Farndale. He says, “I live in Bothell, Washington, just north of Seattle. These photos were taken the morning of 9 June 2013. This is our front yard growing into it’s third year. This is a southern exposure yard. The “bones” of the yard (Rockery, fencing, bridge, concrete slabs, shrubs and large trees, drip irrigation, lighting) were professionally installed, the rest was my inspiration added by myself and my partner.”

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale

Such a nice collaboration, Michael! I love the feel of this garden. Beautiful. Well done!

**Michael sent in so many great photos that we’ll continue in his garden tomorrow. Stay tuned!**

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale

***I’m getting so many great submissions, but I can always use more! Dig out your cameras, take a big long walk around your garden, and SEND ME PHOTOS! I love having more than I could possibly process to choose from. Thanks!!***

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale

***One more thing…..have you always wondered what your fellow GPODers are like in person? Never thought you’d get a chance to meet them? Check this out…. While the GPOD isn’t officially a taunton forum, it’s close enough, and I wanted to extend the invite. Anybody at all interested? I’d be willing to search for some gardens to tour…

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Michael Farndale

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Comments

  1. user-1020932 06/12/2013

    another great space! i love it all but especially like that screen fencing and the stone fountain. what is the plant just next to it? some Acanthus variety? and how do you control weeds in the rocks. great job with all you've done

  2. briandowns 06/12/2013

    I love the use of neutral colors in the " hardscape" and then getting extra pop from the colors that are there in the plants. And... I don't see any " flowers" anywhere- the ultimate challenge that tends to be poo-pooed by the gardening public. Texture- now that rocks!

  3. cwrosten 06/12/2013

    What a beautiful water feature. Wonderful contrasts in color and texture. Well done.

  4. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 06/12/2013

    Amazing combo of plants and hardscaping. super cool water feature. green with envy!

  5. wGardens 06/12/2013

    Add me to your list of envious persons. Love it! GREAT "Bones", great accompanying plantings. The hardscaping is wonderful. I, too, love the fence and water feature. Your landscaper and you achieved a fabulous area!

  6. User avater
    meander_michaele 06/12/2013

    Michael, what a wonderful space you, your partner and landscaper have created. It combines an intriguing balance of many interesting details and yet communicates a soothing simplicity.
    I love how the swaths of Japanese Blood Grass(am I correct in that identification?) compliment the color of your fence and the awesome Red Japanese maple that is part of your view.
    Hope those two adirondack chairs are sat in frequently as you enjoy the sights and sounds of that fabulous looking water feature.

  7. hobbit2 06/12/2013

    What wonderful pictures, very very nice.
    Especially love the rain chain, I have tried
    them and the wind out here on the prairie just
    batters them against my potting shed, not good
    Love all your color choices.

  8. Quiltingmamma 06/12/2013

    Lovely front garden space. A lot of thoughtful placement of screen and water to detract from the street. Love that water feature, and the Blood Grass is stunning.

  9. Jay_Sifford 06/12/2013

    Michael, what a great space you've created! Add me to the list of those who love the variety of textures, the water feature and the fence. I love to see how people create color without the use of lots of flowers. I think it takes a lot of understanding, ingenuity, and design sense to be able to pull it off. I could definitely sit in your garden with a bottle of wine and have a great time. Congrats!

  10. tractor1 06/12/2013

    Great hardscaping... and looks to be very low maintenence... I don't see even one sq ft of soil where weeds can live. Those are sterling chairs for enjoying a 2ni or three, just needs a table to set a glass and hors duvers... I'm imagining that fountain is flowing with gin and just a whiff of vermouth! LOL I noticed in that bottom photo on the left there's a utility pole, just wondering if that potent street lamp is an asset or liability.

  11. kgamel 06/12/2013

    Love everything as well! Especially the fountain. Do you by chance know the manufacturer?

  12. cwheat000 06/12/2013

    You definitely can sit back in those 2 great chairs and look out on a garden you can be proud of. One question - what is the extra large leaved plant near the water feature? In my zone 5/6 garden it is so hard to find good large leaf plants. It all looks great.

  13. sheila_schultz 06/12/2013

    Add me to your list of fans! I really love everything about the peaceful space you and your partner have created. I 'ditto' Jay_Sifford, your design sense is perfection. Can't wait to see more!

  14. GrannyMay 06/12/2013

    Absolutely stunning! The artistic placement of the stones, the choice of grasses, your one dark Calla lily, all perfect. I have used stones and know how difficult a pleasing design can be, and keeping debris and weeds out can be a full-time job. Also, the best use of black mondo grass (I think that is what it is) I have ever seen. A place of peace and harmony.

  15. kimberlyfawn 06/12/2013

    Stunningly well done! You must do this for a living or if you don't you should! Very peaceful and yet entertaining!

  16. TeriCA 06/12/2013

    Michael,
    I too, have become a fan and look forward to tomorrow's pictures! I have a question for you...is that straight red and green grass growing by the driveway/side walk, Japanese Blood grass? If not, would love to know what it is....thanks!

  17. Mwmiller 06/12/2013

    Sophisticated and stunning! Thank you for sharing.

  18. Wife_Mother_Gardener 06/12/2013

    Wonderful garden! I love the blood grass under the Japanese maple. And your containers are so inviting. Great job!

  19. janeeliz 06/12/2013

    Great garden, Michael....everything about it! I love your grasses-especially the large cluster of red ones beneath the maple.

  20. Redshiba 06/12/2013

    Thank you all for your kind words and admiration. If I could spend a day with each of you over a cup of coffee and talk plants I would in heartbeat!

    To answer a few of the questions posted;
    - The large leaved plant next to the fountain is your garden variety Acanthus mollis. I'm crossing fingers it blooms this year.
    - No weeds come up in the rocks and there is no liner used underneath.
    - The red and green grass is indeed Japanese Blood grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron').
    - If your rain chains swings they can be secured by sticking a foot long plant spike into the ground and then slip the rain chain over it. Ours are anchored with a small stone and a few large stone around them.
    - The fountain is by Boulder Design. Called Iron Mountain Bubblers. Yup, they're hollow! Check out Rock Mountain Products LLC online.
    - Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') is used in the area near the fountain along with mini mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'). Lewisia cotyledons dotting the area occasionally bring in a pop of candy colors. Native maidenhair ferns (Adaitum pedatum), Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), Daphne odorata, Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' and the annual black calla lily.

  21. cwheat000 06/13/2013

    Thank you for the detailed plant list. I always enjoy knowing the varieties that were planted. The Acanthus mollis won't grow in my zone, but I just planted Acanthus spinosus. We will see how that goes. Enjoy that Acanthus, it is gorgeous. I enjoyed our mini plant talk, even if it was over the internet. I look forward to tomorrow.

  22. Cmgah 06/13/2013

    What a beautiful garden!

    Love the grasses, especially the red tinted one, do you know the variety?

  23. Cmgah 06/13/2013

    Oops, please disregard my previous post. I just read down the list of comments and found my answer!

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