Garden Photo of the Day

Christine's bayside garden in New York

comments (36) February 28th, 2013 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

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The June garden in this photo was planted in memory of my mother who died of pancreatic cancer. Many of the plants featured came from her garden. There are silver artemesia, magenta and white rose campion (Lychnis coronaria and cvs.), yellow KniphofiaVanilla, Thalictrum Elin (tall plant in the background), and veronica. The small hosta variety in the foreground reblooms later in the season! Yet to burst into flower are daylilies and lilies.
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This mostly shady garden is framed by a stand of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Hanging from a cedar bough is Begonia Dragon Wing Red with Pieris floribunda x japonica Evie and dwarf variegated English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens cv.) beneath. Canna Wyoming , Religious Radish coleus and Japanese honeywort (Cryptotaenia japonica Atropurpurea) add drama with their burgundy foliage.
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My garden is mostly flat and I wanted a bit of architectural interest so I limbed up a huge old yew to reveal its intricate trunk as I had once seen it done at Wave Hill in the Bronx, NY. I sunk the stone walkway to create a slight change of elevation.
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This garden houses a collection of white daylilies, but as we all know white daylilies might better be described as vanilla. To me gold and yellow hues blend more harmoniously with white daylilies than the silvers and grays of many famous white gardens. So, my garden is planted with golden grasses, creamy variegated and chartreuse hosta, white carpet roses and a host of white flowered bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. Its situated in part sun, so the daylilies fill the areas where the sun glimmers through the overhead canopy. Giant fleece flower (Persicaria polymorpha) is the 5-foot-tall anchor at the end of the pathway. Carex morrowii Goldband provides the golden compliment to the right side of the walkway. Rather than thinking of a white garden as a beacon in the night, I try to imagine it as a soothing oasis of shifting shadows in the day.
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I love the way the sunlight falls on Hosta Brother Stefan in this dappled shade border. Rhododendron Chionoides produces white blooms in late spring. The shrub with the showy white flowers behind the hosta is Viburnum nudum Winterthur. The flower clusters are fragrant and the foliage and berries add color in the fall. Astilbe, epimedium and primroses create additional seasonal color.
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The June garden in this photo was planted in memory of my mother who died of pancreatic cancer. Many of the plants featured came from her garden. There are silver artemesia, magenta and white rose campion (Lychnis coronaria and cvs.), yellow Kniphofia'Vanilla', Thalictrum 'Elin' (tall plant in the background), and veronica. The small hosta variety in the foreground reblooms later in the season! Yet to burst into flower are daylilies and lilies.

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Photo: Courtesy of Christine Petersen

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Today's photos are from Christine Petersen on Long Island, east of New York City. Christine says, "My husband, Steve, and I are lucky to live in the village of Asharoken, New York (pop. ~654), which is located on picturesque Northport Harbor. While my husband single-handedly built our home, I started planting our first gardens. That was almost 30 years ago! At the time my parents lived next door (very handy when our son, Jaron wanted to visit). A few years back, we bought their house, giving my husband office space and me more room to garden. The beachfront is 200' wide, yet the property is over 1500' in depth (a portion of the property is actually under the bay). Along the driveway, native plants such as prickly pear cactus, beach plum, bayberry, black pine, poison ivy, Eastern red cedar and oaks grow in the sand.
      Closer to the house, the cultivated gardens begin. The soil is sandy and needs constant amending with dehydrated manure (cow and chicken), compost, and mulch. Pesticides are avoided, but I use herbicides sporadically to eliminate tenacious weeds! I leave brush piles, provide fresh water, plant host and nectar foods for insects, hang bird feeders and birdhouses, and grow plants with seeds, nuts, and berries in order to encourage wildlife. In the past few years, deer have been spotted nearby, yikes!
      More than 500 varieties of daylilies share beds with a menagerie of perennials, grasses, bulbs, trees, and shrubs. These plants, including collections of way too many named hosta and lilium, are for the most part marked with plant labels. The markers, my camera and my computer are invaluable when my brain fails me!
      Many beds have themes such as the "Hot Red Bed" or "The Birdhouse Garden". The newest garden is a long hedgerow featuring viburnums, hydrangeas, aucubas, hosta, astilbe, epimedium, primroses, and ligularias. Elsewhere, there's a small koi pond, a white garden, and a raised daylily bed. Scattered around the garden are containers where I experiment with unusual annuals, tropical plants, tomatoes and herbs.
      The garden is never perfect, as I am getting lazier in my old age. Someday I'll hire someone to edge! Periodic flooding wreaks havoc on the plantings, but after my initial dismay, I am resigned to doing more shopping! I garden, but nature provides the crowning jewel of the landscape with its expansive view of the harbor, blue skies, sailboats, visiting waterfowl, jingle shells, and hopefully a glorious sea breeze!" Gorgeous, Christine, but we need many, many more photos!! I think everyone would agree that your garden, from this brief glimpse, could fill up another couple of days. Tell her we want to see more, everyone!

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Comments (36)

cwheat000 writes: I am checking in late, but you have a wonderful garden. I am looking forward to those extra pics you sent in. Posted: 12:03 am on March 1st

tntreeman writes: christine,
i am in awe of what you have created and i'm glad you put a face on this garden. i have just finished reading every word on your website and examined each photo there. all beautiful and i fully appreciate all the work and thought you have invested in your garden but,,,,,,,,,,how in the world do you make the time ?!?!? can't wait to see the next chapter in the morning. thanks for sharing your hidden harbor Posted: 9:18 pm on February 28th

chrispnpt writes: Limbing up the yew wasn't an original idea of mine, but when you have a couple of 20'- 30'diameter blobs of green in the middle of a lawn you need drastic measures. I do most of the garden myself, but for this job I had the help of a man that was cutting down some storm damaged trees on my property. I directed where I wanted the cuts and he manned the chainsaw. It was a “leap of faith” experience!

I have a few varieties of ligularia and/orFarfugium; F.japonicum 'Cristata', Farfugium japonicum 'Aureomaculata'(Spotted Leopard Plant), Farfugium japonicum 'Jitsuko's Star', Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea'(Giant Leopard Plant), Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket', Ligularia dentata ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’, and Ligularia japonica. Can anyone clarify the confusion in the botanical name? Posted: 6:19 pm on February 28th

chrispnpt writes: Hello everyone! I'm new to this site, so you'll have to bear with me as I try to reply to your questions! The Cryptotaenia japonica 'Atropurpurea' is indeed a self-seeder. I like trying new things when I see them for sale and no one knew much about Japanese Honeywort when I found it years ago. I let a few plants get full grown and try to cut off the seed-heads before they drop. I do have a few places where they are growing in thick patches. I pull as much as I can a few times a season. It’s just an unusual plant and that appeals to me. Posted: 5:27 pm on February 28th

CJgardens writes: Christine, beautiful gardens - looking forward to tomorrows photos. You have very lush gardens for sandy soil; your amending has really paid off. I am thinking of a white garden and it was interesting to hear your thoughts on ivory with golds & chartreuse. I also garden for the birds, butterflies, and bugs; they are just as beautiful as the flowers. And now I'm going to do a little venting - the snow banks are so high the rabbits can reach over the chicken wire cages aroung my clematis. They have decided to give them rejuvenation pruning, needed or NOT! Posted: 3:02 pm on February 28th

janetsfolly writes: First of all, Christine your gardens are stunning (LOVE that yew!) and thank you for the plant IDs...can't wait for tomorrow's continuation!
Second, Michelle I love your idea for a special FG edition. Don't know that I have tntreeman's powers of persuasion but would be happy to chime in if you just say the word! That would be one 'keeper' issue! Posted: 2:42 pm on February 28th

tntreeman writes: Michelle, have them call me, i talk so much many times people agree to my ideas just to shut me up Posted: 1:59 pm on February 28th

MichelleGervais writes: News Flash! Christine sent in more pics today--stay tuned to see them tomorrow! Posted: 1:45 pm on February 28th

MichelleGervais writes: tntreeman-I've been pushing the idea of a special FG issue featuring the best of GPOD--I'll keep trying! I think everyone would love the personal stories and mountain of eye candy.

Wittyone-I wish! Every garden you guys send me is awesome! Every effort at gardening is worthwhile and beautiful. Send in the pics! Posted: 1:44 pm on February 28th

dadeo1 writes: i agree with Wittyone(tongue-in-cheek), tho, we do need to see more of this garden. obviously, more to see, please !

tntreeman has a great idea, a book based on all our(oops, your) gardens !! real life garden pics ! a best seller furshur !! Posted: 1:07 pm on February 28th

TeriCA writes: Oh, and thank you SO MUCH! for identifying the plants in the picture...and I have a questions for you...the Cryptotaenia japonica 'Atropurpurea', I read that it self sows and "can" be invasive. I'm looking for about 3 plants in this color for partial shade (mostly shade)and the size and shape of the plants are perfect. But was wondering what your experience with them was.....thanks!
Posted: 12:58 pm on February 28th

TeriCA writes: I am WOWed! Your garden is so beautiful!!! Please send more pictures!!! Posted: 12:54 pm on February 28th

ruru writes: Oh....to sit there in the summer and have a glass (or two )of Chardonnay what be a bit of heaven. Posted: 11:54 am on February 28th

appaloosa writes: Your pictures are very clear and colorful. Thanks for sharing some names of plants. I would enjoy more pictures of your garden. Thanks. Posted: 11:42 am on February 28th

Sheila_Schultz writes: Oh my gosh... Christine, if your gardens could talk they would tell such beautiful stories of love and caring. The fact is, we don't even have imagine what they would tell us, all we have to do is look at your photos. Please send us more!
GPOD friends, I have missed you over the last few weeks. I've been out of town and am heading out once again. Hopefully, I'll have a few photos to share if I learn to use my new camera, that is! Posted: 11:22 am on February 28th

tntreeman writes: wittyone, nobody who grows stuff is a failure. everybody deals with time/space constraints and then there is the weather (hostas are coleslaw after a hailstorm), birds diligently cutting off seedlings or pulling them up, rabbits pruning lower branches or entire plants with no regard the list goes on and on. i'm betting your garden stands up and shines. send in your photos,,,,,,i double dawg dare ya! :) Posted: 10:58 am on February 28th

Ginnyde writes: What a wonderful tribute to your Mom. I bet this garden is very special to you. You are a very amazing gardener. Thanks for sharing. Posted: 10:53 am on February 28th

wittyone writes: Michelle, couldn't we just once in awhile have a mediocre garden? Just to keep gardeners like me from feeling like such a failure. Posted: 10:49 am on February 28th

JanisCort writes: Beautiful. I would love to see more pictures.
Posted: 10:30 am on February 28th

tntreeman writes: all these beautiful gardens and the stories of their creation. Michelle, you should publish a book, call it Fifty Shades of Green Posted: 10:13 am on February 28th

thevioletfern writes: Yes, please more photos. I love the way you have edged your stone path in the white garden. I am in the process of planning a new frog pond/pool to add to my garden and the way you have used your rocks will be inspiration. I also love the way you limbed up that yew. Beautiful! Posted: 9:49 am on February 28th

DSBaloi writes: I absolutely love your gardens! Your are a very organized gardener keeping track of all your plant names and taking the time to label them outdoor as well!
Each garden has a different style and feel. I too have shade, part shade and sun gardens that look and feel different. Please provide us with more pictures! I would like to see early season and late season pictures of your beds. What kind of epimedium and ligularia plants do you grow? Posted: 9:35 am on February 28th

CCCDDD writes: Loved your gardens, your photos and your attitude towards gardening.
Appreciated having plants identified.
More photos please!!! Posted: 9:28 am on February 28th

GreenGrammy writes: Gorgeous garden, Christine--thanks! I agree with Meander1 about the pruning of the ancient yew--took courage, but the results are striking, to say the least. I'll add to the chorus of "More, please!" Posted: 9:09 am on February 28th

pattyspencer writes: Totally love your garden. I think your limbed up yew is my favorite picture. Thank you for identifying your pictures - always helpful and very appreciated. Your tribute to your mother is inspiring and shows the love you have for her. Yes - more pictures!!!!! Posted: 9:06 am on February 28th

wGardens writes: Thanks so much for sharing your photos- and identities- very enjoyable. Particularly, love the white garden- easily one of the best that I've seen.... also, I too, like the effect of your limbed-up yew, the stonework and accompanying plantings. GREAT grouping! Lovely garden in memory of your Mother, as well. A wonderful tribute and especially meaningful as it contains some of her own plants. Would be delighted to see more photos of your fine work. Posted: 8:57 am on February 28th

meander1 writes: Hi, Christine, your garden is gorgeous. I really appreciated reading your reasoning in putting together your "white" garden....you are so right about daylilies marketed as white being more suffused with hints of soft yellow. The cinnamon colored peeling bark of the limbed up yew is gorgeous...you were so brave to embark on that strategic pruning..it totally gave you the effect you wanted!
I,too, would love to see more! Posted: 8:22 am on February 28th

mainer59 writes: I am amazed at your artistry. Different photos of different places in the garden reveal completely different styles. Each is done to perfection. You know your plants (thank you for the names) and you know how to put them together. Do send more photos. I'd love to see your June memory garden in its summer colors, and any other dramatic changes you have as the season progresses in the very same space. Posted: 8:05 am on February 28th

Olivetgarden writes: Wonderful combinations of flowering and foliage plants! The stone paths and stacked stone around the yew are a great accent. I also adapt ideas I've seen in other gardens for use in my own. Show us more! Posted: 8:03 am on February 28th

caymanmama writes: Thanks for sharing your gardens! We get a small hint of your georgeous view and on a clear day, I may be looking across at you from Ct.! I loved the "Religious Radish" coleus, just the idea of it attracting the eye into your red garden! Yes, we need to see more and thanks also for identifying your plantings! Posted: 8:02 am on February 28th

jwiegmull writes: Much more please. This was wonderful. I especially liked your memorial garden. Posted: 7:57 am on February 28th

tractor1 writes: The north shore of "Lung Guyland" is truly spectacular, but living most of my life there I'm naturally biased. An interesting area for gardening as its biome changes foot by foot as it rises from the water's edge. I like that Christine IDs her plants with name tags. Yes, we need more photos, and wider views. Thank you, Christine. Posted: 7:49 am on February 28th

bee1nine writes: Thanks for sharing too! Splendid gardens and photos!
Truly respect those who create memory gardens. My mom also
died of pancreatic cancer. Your featured photo is surely a
wonderful,loving tribute in memory of your mom. Posted: 7:23 am on February 28th

tntreeman writes: beautiful , lush and full. i agree, we need to see more. i had to smile when i read: The garden is never perfect, as I am getting lazier in my old age. a true gardeners statement. great garden and do send more photos, please Posted: 5:38 am on February 28th

PeonyFan writes: Thanks for sharing. Your memorial garden is really beautiful. Posted: 4:28 am on February 28th

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