Garden Photo of the Day
Sheila's garden in Newfoundland & Labrador, Day 1
comments (30) February 21st, 2013 in blogs
Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor
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Photo: Courtesy of Sheila Boone
Today's photos are from Sheila Boone in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Sheila says, "I've noticed of late that you've been featuring a number of gardens from exotic locales, which I've enjoyed immensely! So, I started to wonder if many (if any) of your loyal followers have seen a garden from the most easterly place in North America! (Cape Spear being the most easterly point, about a 10 minute drive from St. John's, the capital.)
My husband and I bought an oceanfront property in Musgravetown (about 2.5 hours from St. John's) about six years ago for a summer retreat and eventually our retirement home. There was a existing farmhouse, which we've refurbished, but we are in the process of building a house overlooking the bay. We had to excavate a road and a great deal of rock to get near the ocean and we are finally getting close to completion.
The property is approximately 3.5 acres, Canadian zone 5B--a fairly temperate climate for being situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. Although it was once an old farmstead, there had been nothing in the way of a garden for many years. Two apple trees that produce a good quantity of fruit were the only remnants of a planted garden. However, it does have good bones with a forest of spruce, birch, poplar, and mountain ash but lots of overgrown hawthorn and many, many weeds! Did I mention there was a lot of rock? They don't call Newfoundland "The Rock" for nothing! There are also numerous lovely wildflowers on the property, such as fireweed, rhodora, goldenrod and labrador tea. We refurbished an old root cellar a couple of years ago which is now my potting shed (little white shed with blue trim). We also added a 12' x 24' greenhouse last year." Wow, Sheila--you've carved a garden out of seeming wilderness! What a gorgeous setting. It must be a joy to work in such surroundings each day, and your efforts have paid off. **Stay tuned--tomorrow we get a look at Sheila's impressive veggie garden!**
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posted in: Canada, Newfoundland, Labrador
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Comments (30)
And Michelle, this tour/gathering sounds better and better! And I love potato salad ;-)! Posted: 6:47 pm on February 21st
Tractor1, I totally agree with leaving most of garden natural as I enjoy wandering through the cool shade of the forest to the ocean. There are many birds and small animals that count on the natural environment for food and shelter. Besides, I can't imagine how I'd manage the work in years to come if I tried to develop the whole property. I also love the fact that there are gorgeous wild flowers and ferns that I had nothing to do with planting.
Shameless Plug....Perhaps the North East is just too far away to ever consider, but if travel in an FG organized tour bus is even a remote possibility, come visit Newfoundland through June-August to see whales, seabirds, icebergs and miles of untouched natural seacoast. And, of course, there's the Memorial University Botanical Garden in St. John's, open from May-October. http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/
Posted: 2:48 pm on February 21st
When my daughter was two she wanted a dog, she picked an adorable black puppy from a shelter but no one mentioned how large a Newfoundland Hound grows but a wonderful gentle giant. When I was in the navy my ship made several visits to Labrador, a beautifully rugged destination... I always planned on returning but that just never happened, and even though I could have traveled from Long Island by ferry I kept putting it off. A fellow I worked with retired to Nova Scotia, no one I know has ever heard from him, that was more than twenty years ago. Were it me I'd leave most of those few acres natural, I'd not disturb the wildflower meadow... and one day you'll be very thankful that you didn't create gardens requiring lots of maintenece... you can always add more wildflowers. Shiela, you've embarked on a grand adventure, enjoy!
Great whale watching:
http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/
Posted: 11:42 am on February 21st
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/bulbs-summer/kniphofia.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kniphofia Posted: 11:07 am on February 21st
Shineday, I was looking back thru posts for who TW62 was when you wrote that. Ha, then I realized it was Me! Do your homework before planting clematis, sometimes they can be finicky about how they are planted. Won't go into it here, just read about planting them online.
My avatar is Kniphofia, unknown variety, also called Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily. I just love them and have a several different ones, some are brighter colors than others. Their clump grows larger each year and if you cut off older stalks, you get more stalks, just shorter. Hummers like them too.
Posted: 10:20 am on February 21st
Can't wait for tomorrow's views. Posted: 10:09 am on February 21st
The photo you are asking about in the 2nd photo on the right is scarlet runner bean. It grows 12-15 ft high and I plant them for their brilliant red flowers! I love the way they tower over my vegetable garden.
Yes, most of the time I live in the city and long to be in the country. And, I'm sure it does look like it's in the boondocks! (Is that a play on words with my sir name?) But, it is situated near a large town with all the usual amenities but far enough away to feel isolated if we want to.
I know it's hard to believe but we don't have deer in Newfoundland & Labrador! But, we do have moose and occasionally see these magnificent creatures meandering through the garden, down to the cove, and jumping in the ocean for a 2 mile swim across the bay! I have not had a problem with them eating my vegetables (yet) but I do know of gardeners who have had their crops completely devoured by them. However, we do have rabbits who eat many veggie leaves (they love carrots and beets) and herbs. The solution that works best for me is to sprinkle hot pepper flakes on the plants when they have had a watering or sprinkle of rain. They hate that! We also have brown squirrels who are mostly pests in the bird feeders but sometimes eat the flower off my tulips.
The woodpecker on the bird feeder is a Downy Woodpecker. They are fairly shy birds, so it's nice to to capture them in a photo.
The white house in the photo is the refurbished farmhouse. As for the new house architecture, hmmm...it is based on "Newfoundland Modern" with nautical references.
2,480 miles is a long way away but I feel that gardeners have a special connection the world over, no matter the zone, geographic location or garden style. Posted: 9:45 am on February 21st
plant in 2nd photo in right side could be commonly known as
Scarlet runner bean.
Posted: 9:30 am on February 21st
My daughter moved there from Ontario for work. Giving her gardening advice is often interesting. Watering the garden is rarely required!!!
Someone asked if you had a deer problem.
No raccoons,skunks,snakes on the island but you do have MOOSE!! Posted: 8:50 am on February 21st
natural beauty of your surroundings truly make this a
wonderful choice. AAAH..the glorious view you have and to see
rainbows too!
Had to smile:)..your little greenhouse looks just like mine!
Looking forward to Day 2's veggie garden, as well. Posted: 8:42 am on February 21st
I am also wondering what the yellow plant is in the 2nd photo.
You don't have deer issues? I saw delphiniums and hollyhocks. My deer LOVE them both!! Posted: 8:33 am on February 21st
you aren't nosy meander1 i think your inner yankee is fading and you are becoming a true southern girl. can't wait to see the vegetable garden tomorrow Posted: 8:07 am on February 21st
Your garden shed is adorable especially with the beautifully bountiful flower filled window planters. Is the house we are seeing the refurbished farm house? Please stop back in and tell us about what style of architecture you have chosen for the new home you are near completion on. Ha, I'm not nosy or anything, huh?! Posted: 7:46 am on February 21st
Congratualations on securing your own little piece of heaven, rocks and all--it looks wonderful. Posted: 5:53 am on February 21st
The first photo with the red lilies and blue delphiniums contrasting together is beautiful as are the combination of the 3 clematis. It looks like you will have a lovely place to enjoy in your golden years.
Speaking of golden, what is the shrub?, bean? plant in the 2nd photo on the right column? It is really nice.
Thank you for the visit.
Regina Posted: 3:14 am on February 21st