Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTOS! Jay's garden in North Carolina, Day 1

comments (17) July 5th, 2012 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

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Front steps.
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Side garden with koi pond.
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Lower waterfall into koi pond.
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Upper falls.
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Front steps.

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Photo: Courtesy of Jay Sifford

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Today's photos are from Jay Sifford in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jay is a garden designer in Charlotte, and he wrote a regional page for Fine Gardening a couple of years ago. I know he knows his stuff, but the photos he sent in a few days ago of his own garden sure confirm it! We'll spend today and tomorrow touring his beautiful garden. Today we explore his water feature. Jay says, "My garden is primarily a woodland garden. When I moved here 13 years ago there was nothing but liriope, mud, and rotten railroad ties finding their homes underneath the high tree canopy. There were not even steps to the front door, which opens to the side garden, overlooking the water feature. The water feature is a series of three pools connected by waterfalls. My large koi live in the bottom pond. People ask me about those ostrich ferns. They are now almost 5 feet tall. They are in very wet soil and receive some afternoon sun." This garden looks so cool and inviting, Jay, and it must sound so wonderful! **We'll feature more areas of Jay's garden tomorrow morning. Stay tuned!

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posted in: hardscape, water, North Carolina

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READER PHOTOS! Jay's garden in North Carolina, Day 2

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Comments (17)

Jay_Sifford writes: Shirleyjean..... thank you for the kind words. Posted: 3:03 pm on July 9th

shirleyjean writes: I would marry a precious man who would build something beautiful like this for me. Your yard is just marvelous. Posted: 1:17 pm on July 9th

olympic_mtn_gardener writes: To Jay, thank you for taking the time to respond with the name of the Farfugium and the conditions it likes. I have the perfect location for this plant, with lots of moisture, moss and ferns, so will definitely get one. I can't wait to see more of your garden tomorrow!

Posted: 3:46 pm on July 5th

kimberlyfawn writes: Insanely Talented! Just like Mother Nature, only better! Posted: 2:41 pm on July 5th

Jay_Sifford writes: Thanks to everyone for their nice comments. I appreciate it.
With regard to the questions: To accidentalgardener, the water feature is pushed by a pump. To ncgardener, I am involved at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to some extent. They hired me as a consultant last winter to redo the orchid conservatory, formulate some display standards, and develop a long range plan for their orchid collection. To olympic mtn gardener, the plant in question is a giant ligularia, really a farfugium. To be more specific, it is Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum'. It's one of my favorite plants. It needs really moist soil and lots of shade. Mine gets a little afternoon sun... it wilts a bit but rehydrates at night. Posted: 11:09 am on July 5th

addingtongarden writes: Lovely woodland garden. Your waterfalls and combination of foliage plants with all their different colors, sizes and textures makes for a beautiful luxurious retreat. Looking forward to tomorrows photos! Posted: 11:05 am on July 5th

phase2682 writes: really beautiful garden, I long for a garden like that but difficult to do in arid and hot northern CA. Posted: 10:25 am on July 5th

olympic_mtn_gardener writes: Wonderful garden to browse, even for those of us who aren't experiencing 100 degree weather (we are having our first sunny day in WEEKS, and are hoping to make it up into the 60's today).

Does anyone know what the plant in the lower left corner of the second photo is? I love the textural contrast with the ferns. Posted: 9:58 am on July 5th

ncgardener writes: Beautiful garden Jay, Wonderful to look at with all of the 100 degree heat we have been having here in North Carolina lately. the bio states that you are a garden designer, are you involved with any of the Community gardens in Charlotte? Posted: 9:04 am on July 5th

Vojt writes: Wonderful and restful. Great combination of various textures and various greens that really work! Posted: 8:06 am on July 5th

tractor1 writes:

Very professional, reminecent of Jurassic Park. I agree with meander1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwHWbsvgQUE

Posted: 7:57 am on July 5th

wGardens writes: Ah, Paradise! A Masterpiece. Congratulations on achieving a fabulous environment with a challenging beginning! Looking forward to tomorrows' presentation! Thank you! Posted: 7:48 am on July 5th

Annek writes: Magical! Posted: 7:32 am on July 5th

meander1 writes: There is something magical and timeless about the combination of moss covered rocks, water cascading down and bountifully airy fern fronds gracing about. I can almost imagine a friendly dinosaur popping his head up in the distance. As Annedean said these are the perfect pictures to get lost in on a sweltering hot day.
Jay, you're obviously a master in your profession and I can't wait to enjoy tomorrow's installment! Posted: 6:50 am on July 5th

accidentalgardener writes: Are the waterfalls fed naturally or by pump? Posted: 6:20 am on July 5th

Deanneart writes: Very nice! Posted: 5:48 am on July 5th

Annedean writes: Wonderful garden photos to browse on a 100 degree day-- thanks! Cool in every way. Posted: 4:37 am on July 5th

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