MichelleGervais
Michelle Gervais, New Milford, CT, USSenior Editor
I rediscovered gardening in college, and soon switched from a math major to a horticulture major. A "major" change, and a good one! The years since have included growing culinary herbs, edible flowers, and mesclun mixes on Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts, managing both a retail greenhouse and a nursery yard in Westchester County, New York, and managing visitation, marketing, and general business for a small but amazing public garden in Putnam County, New York. I signed on to Fine Gardening Magazine and Kitchen Gardener Magazine in 2000.
These days I'm a senior editor at FG and www.finegardening.com. I tend an 10-year-old, 1/4-acre garden surrounding my 19th-century in-town house, where I tend to neglect my one large perennial border while obsessing over my container gardens, which are filled with lush tropicals and annuals. I have a paralyzing fear of pruning, and when it comes to in-the-ground plants, I find myself perpetually at a loss as to where to put them, no matter how much I love them.
Contributions
Gayle & Larry's garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Gayle Ruprecht in Chicago. She says, "My husband Larry and I are longtime residents of Chicago's historic suburb Oak Park. We purchased our home nearly thirty years ago. Our...
Nina's garden in Massachusetts, revisited
We've visited Nina Schlosberg's garden in Waltham, Massachusetts, twice before, HERE and HERE. Today she's sharing the height of spring! She says, "This year spring has been nice, slow. and cool...
Gail's garden in Oklahoma
Today's photos are from Gail Wynne in Oklahoma. She says, "I'm a self-taught backyard gardener in north central Oklahoma. I learned a great deal reading Fine Gardening. This is my 9th season in this...
Sue's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Sue Moyer in Ohio. She says, "This is my yard in Milford, Ohio. We've lived here for 37 years and we have used a ton of pine bark mulch with conditioner and compost to amend...
Brian's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Brian Downs (hey, that sounds familiar--it's briandowns!) in Elkton, Maryland. He says, "I moved into my current home in Elkton, Maryland, shortly after my wife died in 1999...
Michaele's garden in Tennessee, Day 2
Welcome to Day 2 in Michaele Anderson's (meander1!) garden in Friendsville, Tennessee! These are some extra photos Michaele sent along with the ones we featured in yesterday's post. One thing is...
Michaele's garden in Tennessee, Day 1
We're going to spend today and tomorrow in Michaele Anderson's (meander1!!) garden in Friendsville, Tennessee! We've featured Michaele's garden four times already (HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE), but...
Carla's garden in Connecticut, revisited
Today we're revisiting Carla Wheaton's (cwheat000) garden in my hometown! Remember when I visited and then posted Carla's garden back in June of last year (HERE)? Carla sent in more photos last...
Harriet's swimming pool garden in Maine, in spring
Remember Harriet Robinson's garden in Maine? She filled in her under-used swimming pool and turned it into a stunning garden. We saw it during the peak of the dayliles HERE, and during the peak of...
Kevin's garden in Washington, D.C.
Today's photos are from Kevin Schultze. He says, "I live on a very busy street in the heart of Washington D.C. I wanted to create a peaceful sanctuary on the edge of our very busy eastwest...
Miyako's shady front-yard garden in Connecticut
We featured my friend Miyako Kinoshita's exuberant tropical containers last summer (refresh your memory HERE), and I mentioned her drastically different front-yard collection then. Well, Miyakos...
Marilyn's visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah
Today's photos are from Marilyn Regnier (we featured Marilyn's garden back in October of 2011--refresh your memory HERE). She says, "On our trip back to Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota, from our winter...
Nancy's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Nancy Bellaire in Maryland. She says, "It gets hot in mid-spring in Maryland. So for spring 2012 I focused on planting Emperor tulips in my formal beds in my front yard. I...
Lovay's garden in North Carolina
Today's photos are from Lovay Singleton in New Bern, North Carolina. She says, "New Bern is a wonderful city and sister city to Bern, Switzerland. I moved here with my husband and dogs 5 years ago...
Spring at Chanticleer, Day 2: Containers & Combos
Happy Monday, everyone! Enjoy more springtime at Chanticleer Garden, this time some of their amazing containers and a couple of dreamy...
Spring at Chanticleer, Day 1: Bulbs, Stone, and the Bulb Meadow
We're going to end this week and start next week with some scenes from Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Lynn and I visited there last week, and it was AWESOME. Today I'm showing some...
Spring unfolds in Pauline's California garden
Today we get to see the latest developments in Irvin and Pauline's garden in Carmichael, California! Irvin says, "We thought it might be of interest to share garden highlights from a typical spring...
Jay's garden in North Carolina, revisited
We've visited Jay Sifford's garden in Charlotte, North Carolina, a couple of times (refresh your memory HERE and HERE.) Today he's sharing the latest. He says, "I've been putting a lot of effort into...
Spring at Winterthur, Day 2
Indulge me as I share 12 more photos from Winterthur. These take us out of the woodland into other, just as spectacular parts of this amazing garden. Enjoy! I promise I'll feature one of your gardens...
Spring at Winterthur, Day 1
I've been to Winterthur (in Wilmington, Delaware) before. It was really pretty (OK I might be just a bit jaded by all of my garden travels...). But little did I know. Last week we went to Winterthur...
Spring at the Laurelwood Arboretum in New Jersey
Wow, I think anything I post today will just pale in comparison to Beth's garden, which we've visited for the past four days! Thanks, Beth, for sharing. I think it's safe to say that we all adore...
Beth's garden in Iowa, Day 4--Containers & Ornaments
Welcome to the 4th and final day in Beth Zakrasek's garden in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Today's post is a bit of a mashup of lots of extra photos Beth sent. You won't find a lot of extra info in the captions--just enjoy!!
Beth's garden in Iowa, Day 3--Attracting wildlife
Welcome to Day 3 in Beth's Zakrasek's garden in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Continuing her story once again, she says, "I use absolutely no pesticides in my gardens. I rarely find insect damage, not even...
Beth's garden in Iowa, Day 2--Bird Garden, Big Garden, & Fairy Tale Garden
Welcome to Day 2 in Beth's Zakrasek's garden in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Continuing her story, she says, "For the first 15 years, I battled the deer, cried when they ate my hostas, sprayed, used...
Beth's garden in Iowa, Day 1
Get ready to spend almost an entire week in one wonderful garden, folks. Beth Zakrasek sent in a boatload of photos a few weeks ago, and I was so excited when I saw them, but sorting through them for...
Spring in Jeff's garden in Tennessee
We're visiting with tntreeman, aka Jeff Calton, in his garden in Tennessee today! He sent me these photos last Saturday, and said, "I worked in my yard today and I was overcome with the speed of...
Julie's garden in British Columbia, Day 2
I knew yesterday's photos would thrill you guys! Let's continue our tour of Julie's garden today with this batch of equally fascinating photos. In case you missed it, here's what Julie said yesterday...
Julie's garden in British Columbia, Day 1
Today's photos (and tomorrow's) are from Julie Flatt in Victoria, BC. She says, "Originally just a grassy patch for the kids and dogs to tear around in, this backyard was transformed into a woodland...
Anne's garden in Manitoba
Today's photos are from Anne Peters in Steinbach, Manitoba. She says, "Here are some photos taken last summer. Living in Zone 3b limits one to a short summer season and a long harsh winter with...
Susan's front yard makeover in Illinois
Happy Monday, everyone! And while we're at it, Happy Tax Day! Perhaps today's makeover will inspire you to spend your tax return in the front yard. It's from Susan Wawrzynowicz in Chicago, Illinois. She...
Cindy's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Cindy Reiss in New York state. She says, "I live in Rochester, New York, two miles south of Lake Ontario. My husband and I have been gardening in our small plot of sandy soil...
Nong's garden in Ohio, Day 2
Welcome to day two in Nongnuch Inpanbutr's garden in Ohio. If you missed yesterday's post, here's what she had to say: ""We live in Columbus, Ohio, across from the Scioto River and park with...
Nong's garden in Ohio, Day 1
Today's photos are from Nongnuch Inpanbutr in Ohio. Nong says, "We live in Columbus, Ohio, across from the Scioto River and park with a spectacular view, every day and every season presenting a...
Gardening with kids at Green Chimneys Farm and School in New York
If you'll recall, we've featured my great friend Miyako Kinoshita's garden a couple of times (refresh your memory HERE and HERE.) But what I never said is that Miyako does a bit of gardening in her...
Karen's no-lawn front yard in California
Today's photos are from Karen Taylor in Irvine, California. She says, "I have enjoyed looking at the gardens you display in the GPOD and I am envious of their large yards. Here in Orange County...
Spring in Daniela's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Daniela Baloi in Hudson, Ohio. If you'll recall, we toured Daniela's garden in summer back in February. (Refresh your memory HERE.) Today we get to see springtime in her...
Barbara's shady circular garden in New York
Today's photos are from Barbara Nuffer in upstate New York. She says, "When I designed my circular, stone-edged bed in the shade I modified the normal design to be able to accommodate moisture...
Joanne's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Joanne Niekamp in Ohio. She says, "My husband and I live in a small southwestern Ohio town in the middle of farm country. We build our home 34 years ago on what was basically...
Lori's garden in Utah, Day 2
Welcome to day 2 in Lori's garden In Layton, Utah. Lori says, "In the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains here it is quite common to see rock walls used as retaining walls. These walls can be a...
Lori's garden in Utah, Day 1
Happy Monday, everyone! Today's photos are from Lori Carpener in Layton, Utah. She says, "I look forward to checking out the garden photo of the day each morning. I decided it was time to submit a...
Kim's garden in Washington
Today's photos are from Kim Mikkelsen in Yakima, Washington. She says, "My garden is in constant transition. But it's gotten me through some tough times in my life! It's my therapy garden, after a...
Another design by John in Virginia
Back in September we featured a beautiful woodland garden John Magee designed for a client in northern Virginia. (Refresh your memory HERE.) Today he's back with another of his creations. He says...
Our 2nd visit of the season to Pauline's garden in California
Well, I can sure tell it's spring, because the flood of one after another gorgeous images from Irvin Faria in Carmichael, California, continues! Woohoo!! Today he says, "Winter garden cleanup...
Kathy's garden in Connecticut
Today's photos are from an old friend of Fine Gardening--Kathy Diemer, who was our editorial assistant years ago! Kathy was a fountain of great gardening knowledge back then, and still is today. I...
Katie's garden in Ohio
Happy Monday, everyone! Today's photos are from Katie Kagler in Hudson, Ohio. She says, "My husband and I moved to this house 12 years ago and it was an absolute blank slate. Nothing was here and I...
More from Tricia's garden in Minnesota!
We all went crazy ga-ga over Tricia Frostad's Minnesota garden on Monday and last Friday, so today's post is a triple treat--more photos!! In case you forgot what Tricia had to say about her garden...
Winter & spring mingle in Kathie's garden in Virginia
Happy first full day of spring, everyone! Today's photos are from Kathie Coyne in Clifton, Virginia. (A little secret....Kathie was my high school calculus teacher, and later a bridesmaid in my...
Linda & Terry's garden in Ontario, revisited
We featured Linda and Terry Walsh's garden in Simcoe, Ontario, back on March 5th (refresh your memory HERE.) Today we're revisiting their garden to see one of Linda's biggest projects--her pond, and...
Camellias in Pauline's garden in California
Today's photos are from Irvin Faria in Carmichael, California. We've featured Irvin & Pauline's wonderful garden so many times--HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Today...
Even more from Tricia's garden in Minnesota
Happy Monday, everyone, and a belated Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today we're continuing our tour of Tricia Frostad's garden that we started on Friday...
Tricia's garden in Minnesota, revisited
We featured a photo from Tricia Frostad's garden in Chanhassen, Minnesota back in 2011, and I do believe she held out on us, even though she says a lot has happened in her garden since then. Refresh...
Jon's sculptural lawn in Ohio
Today's photo is from Jon Moss in Ohio. He says, "Ornamental mowing amuses me. I call them mowticons and keep working towards a more pleasing tapestry. Typically they look best at dawn or dusk but...
Visitors in Linda's garden in Texas
Today's photos are from Linda Kennedy down in Dallas, Texas. If you'll recall, we featured Linda's mom's garden last week. (Refresh your memory HERE.) Linda says, "Our back yard is bordered by old...
More from Dorothy's garden in Maryland
We featured Dorothy's garden last Thursday (refresh your memory HERE), and I knew there was more to see. Turns out, Dorothy held out on us on one of her biggest projects--her patio! She says, "I laid...
Pinterest, anyone?
Hey all--so sorry for the lack of GPOD today--I've been laid up with the flu for the past few days, and I didn't have access to the tools I needed to pull together a post for this morning. BUTwhy...
Springtime flowers in Nancy's garden in Oregon
We're still shivering over here on the east coast, and the midwest just got hammered by snow, But it's full-on spring in Oregon! I think Nancy Sarpola in Corvallis wants to help us survive the last...
Dorothy's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Dorothy Bailey. She says, "These pictures are of my gardens at my home in Maryland where we lived for 25 years. I moved last summer and I am starting over. Our neighborhood...
Carol's garden in Michigan
Today's photos are from Linda Dyer Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. Linda wants to share with us a garden that she calls home--her parents' (Carol & Jim Dyer) garden in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Linda says...
Linda & Terry's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Linda and Terry Walsh in Simcoe, Ontario. Linda says, "My husband and I have been working on our garden for the past 27 years. We started with 5 acres of old red pines and...
Sarah's library children's garden in Maine
Today's photos are from Sarah Wolpow in Brunswick, Maine. If you'll recall, we visited her garden last year (refresh your memory HERE). Today she's sharing another project near and dear to her...
More from Christine's garden on Long Island
We asked Christine for more photos yesterday, and she delivered! Today she gives a look at the view from her garden, as well as a look at some of her favorite daylilies. Unfortunately, Christine says that her garden was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy last fall...
Christine's bayside garden in New York
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...
Jane's garden in Maine
Today's photos are from Jane Donelon in Maine. She says, "For the past 50 years I've been living and gardening in Maine. I'm an avid gardener, as are both of my grown children, and we have fun...
Daniela's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Daniela Baloi in Ohio. She says, "Here are some some pictures from our May garden. My husband and I moved to this 1968 house in Hudson, Ohio, 12 years ago during a March snow...
Calvin's garden in Washington state
Happy Monday, everyone! Let's start off the week gently with this serene scene from Calvin Caley in Sammamish, Washington. Calvin says, "I have been an amateur gardener for 20+ years but on my...
Sheila's garden in Newfoundland and Labrador, Day 2
Yesterday we got a glimpse of Sheila Boone's flower garden in Newfoundland and Labrador, and today we get to see her impressive veggie garden! Sheila says, "Since purchasing this property six years...
Sheila's garden in Newfoundland & Labrador, Day 1
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...
More from Betsy's townhouse garden in New York
Today we're revisiting a garden from one of my favorite posts. We first featured Betsy Thompson's garden back in June of 2012 (refresh your memory HERE). If you'll recall, she lives in a townhouse...
Jenni's garden in Virginia
Today's photos are from Jennifer Rucinski in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jenni says, "My "short" story is that I'm a gardener and mommy by night and a landscape designer for a small design/build firm...
The gardens at Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn in Maine
Happy President's Day, everyone! Today's photos are from Gail Gee in Fulton, Maryland. We featured Gail's ridiculously gorgeous rose arch a couple of years ago (refresh your memory HERE), but today...
Tatyana's visit to the Mediterranean garden at Butchart Gardens
Today's photos are a treat from Tatyana Searcy on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state. If you'll remember, we featured Tatyana's metal gazebo exactly a month ago (refresh your memory HERE). But...
Another garden from Jeff in Tennessee
We're visiting again today with Jeff Calton down in Tennessee, and while I'm not quite sure we've seen enough of his garden, today we're getting a look at another property he cares for, owned by the...
More from Jeff's garden in Tennessee
You all seemed to love Jeff Calton's garden in Tennessee on Monday, and he loved sharing it with you, so we thought you might like even more photos of his work! I had a feeling there was a lot more...
Nancy's visit to Meijer Gardens in Michigan
Today we get a treat from Nancy Singham in Evanston, Illinois. She visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2010 during a Chihuly glass display, and wanted...
Jeff's garden in Tennessee
Happy Monday, everyone! Today's photos are from Jeff Calton. He says, "I live and garden here in upper east Tennessee in Carters Valley just outside Church Hill. I have lived here for 21 years and...
Sunny's hillside garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Sunny Montgomery in Peterborough, Ontario. Sunny says, "My garden was a labor of love as it was quite a challenge gardening on this incline down to the lake. I started the...
Maria's visit to Monet's garden
If you'll recall, we featured Maria Fleming's photos of Versailles on Monday. Maria's been sending me a few more batches of photos from perhaps less grand but equally impressive gardens, and I'll be...
Deborah's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Deborah Trickett. She says, "I live in Milton, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. I have a very small suburban garden on two levels. Over the 17 years we have lived here I...
Carol Jean's garden in Wisconsin
Today's photos are from Carol Jean Kadonsky. She says, "I garden on a 60' X 150' city lot in central Wisconsin (zone 4.) I started raising gardens when I finished raising my children. My first...
Maria's visit to Versailles
Happy Monday, everyone! Let's start off the week in grand fashion with some photos from Maria Fleming, who gardens in Ottawa, Ontario. But we're not seeing Maria's garden today. Instead, shes...
Jackie's spring garden in Michigan
The gardens we've been sharing lately have definitely gotten us yearning for summer, but today's garden might actually give us some hope that spring is around the corner. These photos are courtesy of...
Janet's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Janet Getty. She says, "When my family moved to our seven-acre property in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1984 I was pretty overwhelmed at the prospect of creating a garden. My first...
More from Barb's garden in Massachusetts
We must have been pretty convincing in our pleas for more photos of Barb May's Massachusetts garden yesterday, because she promptly emailed more! Here they are, and it just keeps getting better. In...
Barb's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Barb May. She says, "I live in western Massachusetts in the Berkshires. I have lived in this house for 30 years. We raise four chickens and grass fed beef on about 7 acres...
Mary's garden in Wisconsin
Today's photos are from Mary Bosman in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Mary says, "For far too long (35 years) we had a nothing back yard. I always felt that gardening was a hobby too expensive for us. But...
Ann's garden in Minnesota
Today's photo are from Ann McCormick. She says, "My garden is in Crosslake, Minnesota, which is north of Brainerd. It was plagued by deer so I built a fence from small trees we had cleared on our...
Vanessa's garden in Antigua
Joy Farrell sure is working hard to convince us to visit Antigua! Her latest installment is some photos from her friend Vanessa's garden. Joy says, "My friend Vanessa lives at Willoughby Bay along...
Linda and Jerry's garden in Florida
Today's photos are from one of my favorite people--garden designer Susan Morrison, who lives near San Francisco, California. She's also coauthor of an awesome gardening book, Garden Up: Smart...
Gardens in Guatemala
The last time we heard from Cheryl Weeks-Rosten, she shared Dahlia Hill in Midland, Michigan with us (refresh your memory HERE.) Today she's shring another treat--photos she's taken of garden color...
Kathy's potager in upstate New York
Today's photos are from Kathy Sturr in Clayton, New York. Back in March of 2012 we featured her beautiful bird and butterfly garden in multiple seasons (refresh your memory HERE). Today she's showing...
A fun project in California
Today's photos are from Thea Chacamaty, who is a designer with Janet Moyer Landscaping in San Francisco. She says, "Here is a garden we designed, installed, and still maintain in the Lower Haight...
Scenes from a Maine garden tour
Today's photos are from Harriet Robinson in Otisfield, Maine. You might remember that we featured Harriet's gorgeous garden planted in her filled-in swimming pool several times earlier this year...
The gardens at the Harvest Inn in Napa
Today's photos are from Jan Meissner. We've featured Jan's garden in both Ohio and Florida in the past (HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE)...
Tatyana's gazebo in winter
Today's photos are from Tatyana Searcy on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state. Tatyana says, "Winter is the time when I really appreciate my metal gazebo, which can be seen from several windows...
Zach's garden in Panama
The tropical gardens are coming out of the woodwork, and I can barely restrain myself from calling a travel agent. Today's photos are from Zach Daudert in Panama! Zach says, "'This is my garden in El...
Hunter's design in New Mexico
Today's photos are from Hunter Ten Broeck in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He says, "I am a garden designer and the owner of Waterwise Landscapes Inc. in Albuquerque. This is one of my designs. It is a...
The gardens of Union Hill
Today's photos are a special treat from Kathy Vedder in Kansas City, Missouri. We featured Kathy's fantasic garden for two days in mid-December (Refresh your memory HERE and HERE.) Today shes...
Eleasia and Mitchell's garden in Antigua
I think we're starting to rely on Joy Farrell to help us get through this dark and dreary winter! Every week she's sent photos of another gorgeous garden on the island of Antigua. Today's is another...
Helene's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Helene Brule-Besner in Ontario. She says, "I live in Hamilton, Ontario. I got serious about my back garden 3 years ago. I love abundant cottage gardens and with help from my...
Beautiful ice in Mary's Minnesota garden
When Mary Yee in Edina, Minnesota, sent me these photos last week, the subject line of her email was "Photos of ice in the garden--yep, it's Minnesota." Minnesota, indeed! I've only been to...
Happy 3rd Birthday to the GPOD!!
Today marks the 3rd birthday of the Garden Photo of the Day! We started back on January 4th, 2010--more than 770 post ago. Whew! The difference between now and then is that back then this was MY...
Heather's garden in Antiqua
Last Friday we got to see Joy Farrell's garden in Antiqua, and that encouraged her to send in photos of her friend Heather's garden nearby. Joy says, "Here are pictures of my friend Heather's garden...
Tony's garden in ROMANIA
Happy New Year, everyone!! Let's start off the year with an exciting post from ROMANIA! Straight from the source: "Hallo! Hallo! My name is Tony Todorut. The pictures were taken in Timisoara...
Bill's tropical garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Bill Albert in Waterville, Ohio. That's right, Ohio.... Sure doesn't look like it! Bill says, "This is my garden in Waterville, Ohio. It was started from a lawn and nothing...
Joy's garden in Antigua
Today's oh-so-welcome photos are from Joy Farrell in Antigua. She says, "Here are some photos of my garden in December. I live in Antigua in the Caribbean. I have a small rental with just enough land...
Sue's deer-plagued garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Sue L'Hommedieu. Sue says, "I live in Hudson, Ohio, where deer are a terrible problem. Over the last few years, I have been eliminating the plants they love and increasing the...
Jarmila's garden in Slovakia
Today's photos are from Jarmila Krajcovicova. She says, "I am sending some pictures of our garden surrounding our house in spring, autumn, and in winter looks. Me and my husband live in western...
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it! I hope it's a wonderful day. Enjoy these photos of Brenda Addington's beautiful holiday decorations, and then go open some presents!
Brenda's holiday garden decorations in Georgia, Day 1
Today and tomorrow we're visiting Brenda Addington's garden in Georgia, where she creates the most beautiful holiday decorations in part from materials from her own garden. You may recall her...
Nathan's visit to Longue Vue in New Orleans
Today's photos are from Nathan Turoff in Hoboken, New Jersey. Nathan says, "I just made my first visit to New Orleans, and spent an afternoon at Longue Vue, a Neo-Classical house with Moderne...
Judy's garden in Oklahoma
First, sincere thanks to everyone for your kind words for the past few days. Newtown is suffering badly, but the amount of love and support we're receiving is astounding. We appreciate every word...
Carol's voodoo lily in Georgia
Today's photos are from Carol Binns in Smyrna, Georgia. Carol says, "These are photos of my voodoo lily. It is of the genus Amorphophallus and in the Arum family, but I am not sure of the species...
The Pleasance
Many of you might not be aware that the Taunton Press, and thus Fine Gardening, is based in Newtown, Connecticut. Taunton has made this wonderful town its home for over 30 years. We're all a bit...
Kathy's garden in Missouri, Day 2
Happy Monday, everyone, and welcome to Day 2 in Kathy Vedder's garden. In case you missed it, here's what Kathy said on Friday: "I live in Kansas City, Missouri, and my husband and I moved into this...
Kathy's garden in Missouri, Day 1
Today's photos are from Kathy Vedder. She says, "I live in Kansas City, Missouri, and my husband and I moved into this house in 1/4 acre about 30 years ago, but I did not start gardening until after...
Nancy's garden in Oregon
Today's photos are from Nancy Sarpola. She says, "We garden on a 1/4 acre hillside lot in Corvallis, Oregon. We have a large patio, grassy area, and paths with densely planted mixed beds in between...
Sue's container gardens in Nevada
Today's photos are from Sue Rogers in southern Nevada. She says, "My husband and I moved from Washington state about 4 1/2 years ago to the southern desert of Nevada. We bought an acre of land with...
Ann's garden in Kansas
Today's photos are from Ann Redmon in Manhattan, Kansas. She says, "We garden on a 2/3 acre lot. When we first moved here in 2000 there was quite a bit more grass to mow although there has always...
Fall in Nina's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Nina Schlosberg in Waltham, Massachusetts. We first saw Nina's garden back in April (refresh your memory HERE.) Nina says, "Here are some shots taken at the end of the season...
Joan's deer buffet on Long Island
Today's photos are from Joan DeRosa. She says, "This are scenes from my garden in Old Field, East Setauket, Long Island, New York. The house and grounds face west and overlook Smithtown Bay. I have...
Scenes from Constance's garden in early November
Today's photos are from Constance Hoge. She says, "I live in Westminster, Maryland. That's the middle of the state, and they just upped our zone from 6B to 7A. I have about 1/3 acre, in town. My...
Phillip & Michael's Garden in Alabama, revisited
Today we're going back to Alabama to visit Phillip Oliver and Michael Scott's garden. We first saw Phillip and Michael's garden back in February, when we saw in spring and mid-season (Refresh your...
Dan's garden in California, revisited
Todya's photos are from Dan Koellen in Roseville, California. We last saw Dan's garden in May, when I fell in love with his topiary Loch Ness monster! Now he's back with a few more of his topiaries...
Bob & Linda's garden in Pennsylvania
Today's photos are from Bob and Linda Vivian in Pennsylvania. Bob says, "Linda and I (or Grammy & Granddad to some) own 6+ very private acres in the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania. This...
Jo's garden in Vermont
Today's photos are from Jo Busha in Vermont. Jo says, "These are photos of various parts of my garden in June and in the fall. I have lived in this house on 10 acres in central Vermont for 37 years...
Nancy's in-town prairie garden in New York
Today's photos are from Nancy Stedman in Tarrytown, New York. She says, "Four years ago, my husband and I moved to a small house near the center of the historic village of Tarrytown. We have a small...
Barb's garden in Wisconsin, revisited
Good morning everyone! First order of business--the winner of last week's Thanksgiving book giveaway, chosen at random by our web producer Antonio ("Tony, pick a number between 1 and 22, will you"...
Elaine's garden in Montreal
Today's photos are from Elaine Sanders. She says, "I moved back to Montreal from Ontario on June 1, 2006, so my zone 5b garden is only 6 years old. My first home in Bradford, Ontario is where I...
Kate's Garden in New Jersey, Day 2: The Cottage Garden
Welcome to Day 2 in Kate's garden in Mays Landing, New Jersey! Today we're seeing Kate's cottage garden. In addition to what Kate said yesterday, here's what she has to say today: "All of my gardens....
Kate's garden in New Jersey, Day 1: The Shrub Garden
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you're all up early, putting the turkey into the oven. Today's photos are from Kate Humes. Kate says, "I live in Mays Landing, New Jersey, and my property is...
Chip's garden in California
Today's photos are from Chip Milligan. He says, "I live in San Diego, California, on a 1/4-acre with my husband and two dogs. I grow a wide variety of drought-tolerant plants and am more interested...
Fall in Sally's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Sally Barker in Baltimore, Maryland. We've visited Sally's garden twice before (HERE and HERE), but this is our first look at her garden in fall. Sally says, "Here are some...
Stacie's winter gardens in Washington state...and a GIVEAWAY!
Today's photos are from Stacie Crooks in Seattle, Washington. Stacie is a long-time Fine Gardening author (see a couple of her contributions to the magazine HERE and HERE), and we're huge fans of her...
3 more of Karen's favorite plants (Day 2 of 2 in Karen's garden)
As promised, Karen Cherry is sharing 3 more of her favorite landscape plants with us today, each with mulitple seasons of interest. You'll find much more info in the captions. Enjoy! Thanks, Karen...
Karen's dry stream bed in Illinois (Day 1 of 2 in Karen's garden)
Today's photos are from Karen Cherry in Illinois. We visited Karen's garden for the first time back in March (Refresh your memory HERE.) Today she's showing us her dry stream bed. She says, "Ive...
Teresa's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Teresa Gordon. She says, "Our garden is located in Markham, Ontario, Canada. We have lived in this home for 24 years but we only began gardening seriously in 2005. The home is...
Ali's mountainside garden in Iran
Let's travel to the other side of the globe today! Today's photos are from Ali Mollanazar in the Mazandaran Province of Iran. Ali says, "My God-given-gift, the little, yet beautiful 'alpine rock...
Christine's first veggie garden in Quebec
Today's photos are from Christine Fitzgerald. Christine says, "These are photos from my vegetable garden from Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. I am a new gardener and this was my first year growing...
Jan's winter escape garden in Florida
We've ooohed and aaaahed over Jan Meissner's garden in Ohio several times (refresh your memory HERE, HERE, here, here, & here), but today we're getting a glimpse of her second, very different garden...
Jodie's no-lawn entry garden in California
Today's photos are from Jodie Cook in California. She says, "As I was looking at some of your posts, it occurred to me that your California readers might be unaware of and interested in a lawn...
Dave's water feature garden in Colorado (Day 2 of 2 in David's garden)
Welcome to day 2 in David Karst's garden in Colorado. Yesterday, a few people were intrigued by the large rock in the last photo (1st photo today.) Today we take a closer look. David says, "The large water feature in the front yard...
David's front-yard rock garden in Colorado (Day 1 of 2 in David's garden)
Today's photos are from David Karst in Colorado. He says, "Attached are late summer photos of my Colorado yard. I've lived here for 20+ years but I have just gotten serious about landscape design in...
Clare's garden in New Jersey, Day 2 of 2
Happy Monday, everyone! Let's start the week off right with more photos from Clare's garden in Saddle River, New Jersey. We featured the first batch on Friday. In case you forgot, here's what Clare...
Clare's garden in New Jersey, Day 1 of 2
Today's photos are from Clare Oliva in Saddle River, New Jersey. We featured a photo from Clare's garden a year ago--refresh your memory HERE--and it's obvious now that she was holding back on us...
Kathy studies fall in detail in Massachusetts
OK, back to normal. Today's photos are from Kathy Fink. We featured Kathy's garden back in August. (Refresh your memory HERE) She says, "At this time of year, I like to get out and look at the...
Just down the street...
Happy Halloween, everyone!! Thanks for all the good wishes yesterday. I'm so glad that you Northeasterners who chimed in are OK, with only minor damage. I'll finally be able to get back to the office...
Blame it on Sandy....
Hey all, as of last night at 8:30 (when I wrote this post), I couldn't get onto email to get your photos to generate a new post. Darned hurricane. The good news is that we haven't had much damage up...
Irvin & Pauline's garden in fall, focus on grasses
Another installment of photos from Irvin and Paulin'es garden in Carmichael, California has arrived! This time it's a glimpse of their ornamental grasses in fall (See other seasons and wildlife in...
Heather's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Heather Halsey in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Heather says, "I have been gardening for about 10 years, starting in my tiny apartment city garden to my now one-acre yard in...
What to do with all those pumpkins you grew this year...
OK, so I know this is only loosely related to gardening, but I thought I'd share, once again, the truly original Halloween display courtesy of our neighbors down the road. Last year, if youll...
Terie's New York garden in fall
We've visited Terie's garden in upstate New York several times (refresh your memory HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE). It's worth every single mention, because it's stunning! I'm so happy that...
Barb's trial-and-error garden in Michigan
Today's photos are from Barbara Vanderhoof in Mears, Michigan. Barb says, "Mears is a little town in middle western Michigan about a mile from Lake Michigan, so I garden in a lot of sand amended with...
Dahlia Hill in Michigan
Happy Monday, everyone! Today's photos are from Cheryl Weeks-Rosten, a volunteer at Dahlia Hill in Midland, Michigan, two hours north of Detroit. Cheryl says, "Dahlia Hill is a hillside garden...
Revisiting John's garden in New Jersey
In the spirit of revisiting some of our favorite gardens this week, today we're revisiting John Markowski in his garden in New Jersey. We first visited John in April (refresh your memory HERE.) Today...
Jan's containers in Ohio
It's turning out to be the week of revisiting old friends! Never hurts to get a second look at our favorite gardens, eh? Today's photos are from Jan Meissner in Avon, Ohio. We last visited Jans...
More from Lorraine's garden in Ontario
Last Friday we visited Lorraine Roberts' gorgeous garden and nursery in Caledon, Ontario (refresh your memory HERE), and I don't think I was alone in wanting MORE PHOTOS! Lorraine obliged, and here...
Kielian's garden in Montana, in Autumn
Today we're revisiting Kielian DeWitt's garden in Montana. While we've seen Kielian's garden in winter, spring, and summer, this is our first look at her garden in fall. Kielian says, "These photos...
Lorraine's from-scratch garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Lorraine Roberts. Lorraine says, "When we moved to the 24 acre property located in Caledon Ontario Zone 5 (in 1999), there were no gardens – just trees, grass and a house...
Carolyn's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Carolyn Kreider in Continental, Ohio. Carolyn says, "My garden is on less than half an acre in Zone 5 in northwest Ohio, and I've been working on it for about 22 years. Its...
Bob & Lisa's recycled garden in South Carolina
Today's photos are from Bob and Lisa Newman in Summerville, South Carolina. They say, "We like to incorporate recycled items into our landscape. The stock tank pool is for my daughter, and when she...
A garden through the eyes of a 6-year-old
GPOD veterans might recall that I took my 5-year-old daughter, Kaia, garden visiting last year and put a camera in her hands to see her perspective. I shared the oh-so-interesting results HERE. Well...
Ruth Ann's bowling ball garden art in South Carolina
In the September/October 2012 issue of Fine Gardening, we featured an article by Bob Stamper of Pennsylvania (we've featured his garden on the GPOD! Check it out HERE) about the garden art he creates...
Dennis & Jeanne's garden in North Dakota
Today's photos are from Avis Vesely, but while Avis gardens in Maryland, and we featured her garden HERE, she has something else to show us today. Avis says, "This is my brother and sisterinlaws...
Connie's meadow garden in Minnesota, revisited
We visited Connie Ortberg's garden in Carver, Minnesota, exactly five months ago today (refresh your memory HERE). Check out what's going on in her garden this fall! Connie says, "Despite the long...
READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, revisited
We've visited Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio, several times (HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE), and I've even visited it in person (HERE)! Tim just sent in some late-summer pics, and the garden is as...
READER PHOTOS! Syd's garden in Pennsylvania
Today's photos are from Syd Carpenter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Syd says, "I am an artist who sees making this garden just as satisfying as making my sculptures. My garden is densely planted...
READER PHOTOS! Carla's cottage garden in Connecticut, revisited
Remember when I visited Carla Wheaton's (cwheat000) garden in my town (New Milford, Connecticut) this spring (refresh your memory HERE)? I fell in love with its cottagey, exuberant style. Well, I...
The Bridgewater Village Store's 2012 display
Those of you who have been with the GPOD a while might remember when I posted last year about the little country shopping center I pass on the way to work every day. It's owned by a local man who...
Bob & Mary Ann's garden in Kentucky, revisited
We first visited Bob and Mary Ann Hines' gorgeous garden in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, back in March (refresh your memory HERE). They were kind enough to send some photos from this season yesterday...
Miyako's container gardens in Connecticut
My friend Miyako is an amazingly talented gardener. Her woodland garden in front of her house is a subtle and gorgeous collection of ferns, hellebores, ephemerals, sweet little hostas, and bulbs, and...
Jacky & Lyn's garden in Wisconsin, Day 2
Welcome to the second day of photos from Jacky and Lynn Swenson's garden in Grafton, Wisconsin. In case you missed it yesterday, here's what Jacky had to say: "In 2003, my husband Lynn and I bought a...
Jacky & Lynn's garden in Wisconsin, Day 1
Happy Monday, everyone! Today's photos are from Jacky and Lynn Swenson in Grafton, Wisconsin. Jacky says, "In 2003, my husband Lynn and I bought a newly-built home with three acres of land near Lake...
Gregg & Kindra's deer-friendly garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Greg and Kindra Bolsinger in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gregg says, "My wife and I garden in suburbia, on a one-acre lot. Our lot started as the typical builder lot; pretty flat...
READER PHOTOS! Ruth Ann's garden in New Jersey
Today's photos are from Ruth Ann Mummey in New Jersey. she says, "We moved to our farm in 1995. It is a small nursery specializing mostly in holly, which we sell primarily to the trade. My passion is...
READER PHOTOS! Kiah's garden in British Columbia
Today's photos are from Kiah Grant in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Kiah says, "I bought my house 8 years ago with no gardening experience. It was overgrown but had some elements of design and...
READER PHOTOS! Kielian's visit to Ecuador, Day 2
Day 2 of Kielian DeWitt's gogeous photos from her recent trip to Ecuador. If you missed yesterday's post, here's what she had to say: "I was entranced by the variety and colors of the flowers and...
READER PHOTOS! Kielian's visit to Ecuador, Day 1
Today's photos are from Kielian DeWitt in Montana. But we're not seeing her Montana garden today (we've featured her spectacular garden 3 times before--check it out HERE, HERE, and HERE). Instead...
READER PHOTOS! Daryl's garden in New Jersey
Today's photos are from Daryl Savage in Sussex County, New Jersey. Daryl says, "I just signed up for the FG newsletter, and I am really enjoying the garden of the day photos. My favorite thing in the...
READER PHOTOS! John's design in Virginia
Today's photos are from John Magee. Johns says, "These are photos of a garden I designed and built in Reston, Virginia, which is a suburb of Washington D.C. This is a small single-family home. The...
READER PHOTOS! Susan & Richard's Japanese tea garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Susan and Richard Wawrzynowicz in Chicago, Illinois. Susan says, "We are located in the heart of the city. We have lived here for about 14 years and after years of various...
READER PHOTOS! Lori's garden in Colorado
Today's photos are from Lori Fairbanks in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains. Lori says, "I garden at about 6000 feet in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Our little town was recently...
READER PHOTOS! Susan's miniature gardens in California
Today's photos are from Susan Clemens in Aliso Viejo, California. Susan says, "I don't have a yard (I live in a second floor condo) so I create miniature gardens as centerpieces or to sit on my desk...
READER PHOTOS! Kristina & Bob's garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Kristina and Bob Sislow in Riverwoods, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Kris says, "My husband and I have a passion for all things gardening. We enjoy plants, be it...
READER PHOTOS! Jana's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Jana Milbocker in Holliston, Massachusetts. Jana says, "I have been gardening on my 2-acre property located 25 miles west of Boston for 20 years. When we bought our...
READER PHOTOS! Jean's Touch of Heaven garden in Wisconsin
Today's photos are from Jean Mazzella in Ashland, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior. Jean says, "I have been gardening for over 50 years, 38 of them in this location. There were two beds that...
READER PHOTOS! Ellen's garden in North Carolina
Today's photos are from Ellen Kirby in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Ellen says, "My home garden is my respite from my main work as a volunteer. I coordinate the local Food Bank Garden, which covers...
READER PHOTOS! Verna's garden in British Columbia
Today's photos are form Verna Collett in Victoria, British Columbia. Verna says, "I've always been a gardener, having learned flower names in my grandma's garden. We have an ordinary city lot here in...
The gardens at Cady's Falls Nursery in Vermont
FG's senior editor, Danielle Sherry, came back from a trip recently so excited about a nursery she'd visited that she insisted I share it with you all. After I saw the photos she'd taken I agreed...
READER PHOTOS! Phillippa's garden in Wyoming
Today's photos are from Phillippa Lack in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Phillippa says, "I am originally from Jamaica, where everything grows by itself! I have gardened in the U.S. in Corpus Christi, Texas...
READER PHOTOS! Kimberly's garden in West Virginia
Today's photos are from Kimberly Thomas. Kimberly says, "We moved here to Gerrardstown, West Virginia, back in 2007 to a completely blank slate with dirt that didn't even grow grass. The first two...
READER PHOTOS! Wildlife in Irvin & Pauline's garden in California
We've featured Irvin and Pauline Faria's garden in Carmichael, California, many, many times over the past couple of years, and I always love getting an email full of new photos from Irvin. (Check out...
READER PHOTOS! Leslie's garden in Florida
Today's photos are from Leslie Roseman in Gainesville, Florida (USDA Hardiness Zone 8b). Leslie says, "Our home is twenty years old, and we live on a one acre lot. We built the home with typical...
READER PHOTOS! Roger & Mary's garden in California
Today's photos are from Roger and Mary Greenberg in Marin County, California. Roger says, "We started this garden from scratch 18 years ago, slowly amending the clay soil and planting drifts of...
READER PHOTOS! Jill's garden in Michigan
Today's photos are from Jill Moore in Canton, Michigan. Jill says, "We have lived in our home for 22 years. We are the first owners, so it was a blank slate. The land where our subdivision is built...
READER PHOTOS! Peter & Gisela's garden in Germany
We featured Karin Grecu's California garden last November (Check it out HERE.) But today she's taking us overseas. Karin says, "I've been long absent from the comment board as I've visited my home...
READER PHOTOS! Beth's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Beth Hall on Tilghman Island on Maryland's eastern shore, on the Chesapeake Bay. Beth says, "My husband and I purchased our house, an 1855 Victorian farmhouse, in October...
READER PHOTOS! Ann's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Ann Orr in Markham, Ontario. Ann says, "When we moved in here in 1991 the back garden was just a lawn and a couple of trees. It sloped steeply with a difference of 6 feet from...
READER PHOTOS! Linda's containers in Maine
Today's photos are from Linda Phair in Fairfield, Maine. Linda says, "I am addicted to flower pots and must have at least fifty in my yard. It is very expensive to plant them, so I have experimented over the...
READER PHOTOS! Leslie's garden in Colorado, revisited
We've visited Leslie Ornelas' (GreenGrowler) garden in Colorado Springs before, and we love it (refresh your memory HERE and HERE). She sent in some new photos to share a few days ago. Leslie says...
READER PHOTOS! Melissa's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Melissa Will in Ontario. Melissa says, "This was my garden in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. When we moved there it a typical small, suburban lot with grass and a few shrubs. One...
READER PHOTOS! Pam's garden in California
In the past, all we've seen of Pam Wittenberg's garden in Santa Rosa, California, is the wildlife that visits--and those pics have been fabulous! (We watched some hummingbirds grow up from egg to...
The garden and landscape at Bufflehead Cove Inn in Maine
On Friday, when I mentioned that I'll be heading back up to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in the fall, Kathy Fink (we featured her garden a few days ago, HERE) emailed me to suggest visiting...
READER PHOTOS! Barbara's visit to the CMBG
A couple of weeks ago, when I was sick and bombarding you all with photos of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Barbara Harms sent in these photos to add to the mix. I'm just now getting to them...
READER PHOTOS! Terie's garden in New York, revisited
Terie Rawn's garden in Newfield, New York, is one of the most popular gardens we've ever featured on the GPOD (refrsh your memory HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE), so I was so happy when Terie sent...
READER PHOTOS! Mike & Sheila's garden in New York state, Day 2
Day 2 of photos from Mike and Sheila Schneider's garden in Stony Point, New York. In case you missed it yesterday, they say, "Our garden has been 13 years in its creation on 2 acres of land and it is...
READER PHOTOS! Mike and Sheila's garden in New York State
Today's photos are from Mike and Sheila Schneider in Stony Point, New York. They say, "Our garden has been 13 years in its creation on 2 acres of land and it is our dream come true. Some gardens...
READER PHOTOS! Kathy's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Kathy Fink. She says, "These photos are of my yard in Arlington, Massachusetts, where I live atop a granite hill west of Boston. The first photo shows the view from my kitchen...
Darryl's garden in Antarctica
A few weeks ago, just for fun, I started wondering what extremes people will go to to garden. You hear of soldiers in Iraq having little garden plots, and I've seen my share of photos of fire escape...
Scenes from my garden
So, I've been holed up at home, on the couch, for more days than I can remember, but my neighbor and dear friend Laura, who's been dropping off food (I love you, Laura!!), commanded that I go outside...
More plantings from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Thanks so much for all the good wishes, everyone. My hubby and I both have this awful virus, and while we're getting better, it's going sloooooowly. Luckily, the photos I have at home are from such a...
Plantings at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
I'm still at home, sick (when will it end???), so we're continuing Friday's theme of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Today, check out three great combos I spotted on my walk. I think I'll be...
Scenes from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
I got to visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, and I have to say that it may one of the nicest public gardens I've ever set foot in! And I've been to quite a few. The layout, the...
READER PHOTOS! Janet's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Janet Cooley in Burlington, Ontario. Janet says, "This is my back garden, which I started 20 years ago and have consistently upgraded. As I get older I have gradually moved to...
READER PHOTOS! Jane's garden in Tennessee
Today's photos are from Jane Crewey in Bristol, Tennessee. Jane says, "I have worked on my garden for 20 years now and it has matured since these-pictures were taken and some plants have been...
READER PHOTOS! Michaele's container gardens in Tennessee
Today's photos are from Michaele Anderson, a.k.a. Meander1! Michaele says, "About a month ago I got a serious attack of Sheila Schultz-itis (meaning that in the best possible way)...I felt an...
READER PHOTOS! A grotto garden in Pennsylvania
I think Jay sifford's successful last post has inspired a few more designers to send in photos of gardens they've designed for clients--I'm so glad! Especially when the gardens look like todays...
READER PHOTOS! Laura's garden in Washington state
Today's photos are from Laura Kokesh in Redmond, Washington. Laura says, "I live in Trilogy out on Novelty Hill area of Redmond. I have been designing and changing my garden for the five years Ive...
READER PHOTOS! Sara's garden in California, revisited
We've visited Sara Malone's garden in Petaluma, California, twice before (refresh your memory HERE and HERE.) Both posts focused on how spectacular this garden looks in winter. Today, Sara's giving...
READER PHOTOS! Veneeta's garden in India
Today's photos are from Veneeta Kapila in Noida, India. India! You know how excited I get about international posts... Veneeta says, "I am taking care of this garden very passionately since 5 years...
READER PHOTOS! Another design by Jay in North Carolina
Last Monday, we featured a garden Jay Sifford designed in North Carolina, and things got just a little bit heated (nothing major, but a brief drama.) It left Jay a little nervous to submit another...
READER PHOTOS! A final day in Ellen's garden in Massachusetts
We spent Thursday and Friday of last week in Ellen Garvey's garden in Swampscott, Massachusetts. We saw the dramatic changes she's made to her entire landscape over the last 33 years, but today were...
READER PHOTOS! Ellen's garden in Massachusetts, Part 2
Today we're visiting some other parts of Ellen Garvey's garden in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Once again, the before and after photos are awesome, Ellen! Thanks so much for sharing your garden with...
READER PHOTOS! Ellen's driveway garden in Massachusetts
Today's post may be on my list of top 10 favorites. Why? A great garden, and amazing before and during shots! These photos are from Ellen Garvey in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Ellen says, "We moved...
READER PHOTOS! Irma's community's garden in Spain
Today's photos are from Irma Vitale in Marbella, Spain. According to Irma, this garden was remodelled in 2010 after being totally neglected. Irma didn't give me much more info, so I'm hoping shell...
READER PHOTOS! A cottage garden in southern Florida
Today's photos are from Kim Hewitt and Bobbie Blythe in West Palm Beach, Florida. Bobbie says, "A cottage garden in Florida may sound like a contradiction in terms. Here in zone 10 we are not known...
READER PHOTOS! Jay's design in North Carolina
As promised late last week, today we're featuring a garden designed by Jay Sifford for a client in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jay says, "I find generally that there is very little relationship...
READER PHOTOS! Jay's garden in North Carolina, Day 2
Continuing on from yesterday, today we're touring a couple of other areas of Jay Sifford's garden in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jay says, "For the front garden, I removed all of the turf two years...
READER PHOTOS! Jay's garden in North Carolina, Day 1
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...
READER PHOTOS! Shelley's container designs in British Columbia
Today's photos, yet again, are from Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia. And once again, they're not from her garden, but rather from container designer Shelley Brignall at Phoenix Perennials...
READER PHOTOS! Sylvia's garden in British Columbia
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong (We've featured her garden HERE, HERE, and HERE), but they were taken in her friend Sylvia's garden. Cherry says, "Two years ago, after seeing my family make over...
READER UPDATE! Cindi's potatoes in Pennsylvania
Remember back in May, when we featured the potato garden Cindi Martin created in feed mill conveyor belt buckets in her garden in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania? I've reposted the original photo at the...
Linda's garden in Ohio
As promised in yesterday's post, today we're visiting Tim Vojt's neighbor Linda's garden. Linda wasn't home when we wandered down to her house, so I stayed on the sidewalk for these photos. But...
A visit to Tim's garden in Ohio
So last week I was in Columbus, Ohio, for a conference, and since I just happened to be in town, guess who I visited?? Tim Vojt! That's right, our own Vogt, whose garden I've featured HERE, HERE...
READER PHOTOS! Robert and Nancy's garden in Washington state
Today's photos are from Robert Fairfax in Washington state. Robert says, "Nancy and I live in Snohomish, Woshington, on 5 acres of woodland garden. I’m an artist and have made...
READER PHOTOS! Michelle's containers in California
Today's photos are from Michelle Derviss in Novato, California. Michelle is one of my very favorite garden designers--I love her style, and she's a super-cool person, too! She sent these photos in to...
READER PHOTOS! Cheryl's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Cheryl Monroe in Massachusetts. Cheryl says, "I garden on an acre of what was once a glacially depositied sand pit, turned into a suburban development. When we moved here 15...
READER PHOTOS! Harriet's garden in Maine, revisited
Remember Harriet Robinson's garden in Maine that she created after she filled in her swimming pool? (Refresh your memory HERE and HERE) The last time we featured it, she showed us what the garden...
READER PHOTOS! Betsy's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Betsy Palmer Thompson outside Albany, New York. Betsy says, "My garden is a bit unusual, as I live in a townhouse in the middle of a building of six houses. The property...
READER PHOTOS! Amy's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Amy Stafford in Cincinnati, Ohio. Amy says, "I started gardening in 1999 when we moved to a home that was located on 57 acres. A friend had given me a bookMartha...
READER PHOTOS! Alyson's garden in Washington state
Today's photos are from Alyson Ross-Markley in Redmond, Washington. Alyson says, "Our shady golden garden room faces east. It is adjacent to the Redmond Reserve (home of black bears, cougars and...
READER PHOTOS! Stacey's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Stacey Preble in Boston, Massachusetts. Stacey says, "The basis behind my garden is that I wanted something that was big, colorful and tropical looking, but that was...
Margareta's garden in Connecticut
It's amazing how often gardening comes in my everyday life, no matter where I am or who I talk to. A few months ago I was having trouble with my hand, so I went to see a specialist in a nearby town...
READER PHOTOS! Michaele's garden in Tennessee, revisited
We've featured Michaele Anderson's garden in Friendsville, Tennessee, twice before (refresh your memory HERE and HERE), but I must have been living under a rock for the past few months, because I...
READER PHOTOS! Miyako's garden in Connecticut
Forgive me for the second post in a row from Connecticut, but while visiting one of my best friends, Miyako Kinoshita, last week in New Milford, I was stopped in my tracks by her gorgeous Black Lace...
Michelle's garden in Connecticut
I know I pester you guys an awful lot to send in photos of your gardens, so I figure it's only fair that I show you mine, no matter how scared I might be to do it! So, here we go... Keep in mind that...
READER PHOTOS! Sally's garden in Maryland, revisited
We visited Sally Barker's beautiful garden in Baltimore back in April (refresh your memory HERE), and the comments ranged from "...my vision of a perfect garden! Beautiful!!!!!" to "...an oasis of...
READER PHOTOS! Bonnie's garden in Pennsylvania, revisited
Today's photos are from Bonnie Pancoast in Pennsylvania. We've visited Bonnie's garden twice before--both in the fall/winter of 2011 (refresh your memory HERE and HERE). Check out what's new above...
READER PHOTOS! Marie's garden in California
Today's photos are from Marie Stager in San Jose, California. Marie says, "When we first moved into this house in 1992 there were mainly redwood trees, pine trees, birch trees, lawn, a lot of large...
READER PHOTOS! Beth's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Beth Zellner in Marysville, Ohio. Beth says, "I really enjoy opening my e-mail every weekday and getting to see a new batch of photos from GPOD! I learn and am inspired by...
READER PHOTOS! Michael's garden in Florida
Today's photos are from Michael Post in Hobe Sound, Florida. Michael says, "I have been a gardener for most of my 66 years. I retired 20 years ago to restore our 100 year old home on 2.5 acres, 90...
READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, revisited
We featured Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio, for a full 3 days in January, and it was a hit! (Refresh your memory HERE, HERE, and HERE) Last week Tim decided to send in some photos of whats...
READER PHOTOS! Carla's garden in Connecticut
Last week I had the privilege to visit the garden of one of our frequent commenters, cwheet000! Turns out she lives just north of me in my town, and I couldn't pass up her invitation to stop by. It...
READER PHOTOS! Rebecca's garden In British Columbia, revisited
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong, but they were taken in her mother's (Rebecca Tang) garden in British Columbia. If you'll recall, we featured Rebecca's garden once before (refresh your memory...
READER PHOTOS! Veronica's garden in New Hampshire
When I put the call out for photos a couple of weeks ago in exchange for a chance to win a free gardening book, Veronica Guyre in Lyme, New Hampshire (USDA Hardiness Zone 4b), decided to throw her...
READER PHOTOS! Bob's rhododendrons in Pennsylvania
Remember when I mentioned Bob Stamper last week when we featured Eva Beke's photos from the Jeli Botanical Garden? Bob's rhododendrons kickstarted my new love for the genus. Luckily, Bob is a GPOD...
READER PHOTOS! Marilyn and Ian's garden in Toronto
Happy Memorial Day, Everyone! Today I give you a special post for a special day. These photos are from Marilyn Sherman in Toronto. Marilyn says, "Several years ago my husband Ian and I moved into a...
READER PHOTOS! Lotta's garden in Sweden
Can we say SWOON?? Today's photos are from Lotta Lindekrantz's beautiful garden in SWEDEN! Lotta says, "Here is some pictures from my garden near Gothenburg, Sweden. An old garden that I try to make...
READER PHOTOS! Judy's Garden in Ontario, Day 2
Day 2 of Judy Burton's garden in Severn Township, Ontario. Today we get a look at Judy's front porch, back deck, and her amazing display of containers. Judy says...
READER PHOTOS! Judy's garden in Ontario, Day 1
Today's photos are from Judy Burton in Ontario. Judy says, "Here are some photos of my garden in Severn Township, Ontario (just outside of Orillia, which is 2 hours north of Toronto). I started the...
READER PHOTOS! The Jeli Botanical Garden in Hungary
My only experience with rhododendrons growing up was with the white azaleas (also a rhododendron!) in front of my parents' house in Virginia. They'd look spectacular for about a week, and then their...
READER PHOTOS! Christine's garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Christine Bosacki, who says, "I grow flowers and some vegetables on a corner suburban lot in Woodridge, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago. I enjoy gardening as an...
READER PHOTOS! A living table in Oregon
Today's photos are from Kate Doctor in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Kate says, "This is a living table I saw last week at Bauman's Farm Market in Gervais, Oregon. The center is planted with lettuces and...
READER PHOTOS! Cindi's garden in Pennsylvania
Today's photos are from Cindi Martin in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Cindi says, "Every year we add to our yard. This year we are looking forward to enjoying the yard much longer with the early...
READER PHOTOS! Nancy's tree peonies in New York
I've always been intrigued, and at the same time wary of, tree peonies. They are no doubt drop-dead gorgeous, and I want one in my garden so badly, but they're super expensive, and have a reputation...
READER PHOTOS! Irvin & Pauline's garden in California, revisited
Today's photos are from Irvin and Pauline Faria in Carmichael, California. We've been featuring their garden on the GPoD for months now, every few weeks, and I've loved having a glimpse of each...
READER PHOTOS! Cande's garden in Iowa
Today's photos are from Cande Cerniglia in West Des Moines, Iowa. Cande says, "We’ve had a mild winter and early spring, so the spring bloomers here in central Iowa are 3-4 weeks ahead of...
READER PHOTOS! Dan's garden in California
Today's photos are from Dan Koellen in Roseville, California. Dan says, " " So cool, Dan! I especially love, love, love the Loch Ness topiary in the last photo! And we need to know more about the...
READER PHOTOS! Krista's water garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Krista Havill in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. Krista says, "For many years, I have attended local garden tours and realized that my favorite gardens had a water feature. So in 2004, my...
READER PHOTOS! Cherry's containers in British Columbia, Day 2
Day 2 of Cherry Ong's awesome containers in her garden in Richmond, BC. Today's selections are foliage-heavy and fabulous.
READER PHOTOS! Cherry's containers in British Columbia, Day 1
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong in Richmond, BC. We've featured Cherry's garden before (HERE), and I love her clean, textural, dynamic style! Today and tomorrow, we'll get to see some of her...
READER PHOTOS! John's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from John Root in Rockwood, Ontario. John says, "As a youth, I got my first lessons in gardening working in my father's gardens in Stratford, Ontario. Folks sometimes confused our...
READER PHOTOS! Connie's garden in Minnesota
Today's photos are from Connie Ortberg in Carver, Minnesota. Connie says, "We moved out to the country six years ago. In order to cut down on the amount of turf that was part of our property, I...
READER PHOTOS! Kielian's garden in Montana, revisited
We featured Kielian Dewitt's garden back in December (refresh your memory HERE), and again in January, when she shared some gorgeous winter scenes with us (HERE). Today Kielian's sharing her garden...
READER PHOTO! Barbara's garden helpers in California
Today's photo is from Barbara Bludsworth in Woodland, California. Barbara says, "This is my front garden. The boxer boys, 'Hudson' in the chair and 'Bosco' lounging on the blue bottle bench, are...
READER PHOTOS! Ana's garden in Portugal, revisited
Today's photos are from Ana Abrantes in Portugal. We featured Ana's stunning arbor of wisteria back in March (refresh your memory HERE). Today she's showing us a bit more of her garden. Ana says...
READER PHOTOS! Ann's garden in New York
Happy Monday! Today's photos are from Ann Vesei in Mount Kisco, New York. Ann says, "I garden on a little 1/3 acre property that used to be shaded and overrun with weeds. Through the last ten years...
READER PHOTOS! Kathy's garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Kathy Uszler in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Kathy says, "I have lived in my house for almost 34 years. I started gardening seriously here about 20 years ago. Eleven...
READER PHOTOS! Trina's California fishing buoy frogs
Wow, the garden art is coming out of the woodwork! Today's home-made ornaments are from Trina Koushmaro in Woodland, California. Trina says, "I found these fishing net buoys washed up on the...
READER PHOTOS! Ann's bowling ball garden art
Continuing in the homemade garden ornament theme from the last couple of days, check out what Ann Davis of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, cooked up. She says, "I made this ornament with a bowling ball, broken...
Year-round focal points from humble materials, Day 2
Continuing the parade of awesome Freeland and Sabrina Tanner creations from yesterday, check this one out. For this large display, Freeland covered long lengths of rebar in old sections of garden...
Year-round focal points from humble materials, Day 1
A few weeks ago, while visiting Freeland and Sabrina Tanner's garden in Napa, California, I was stopped in my tracks by some of their awesome creations. I'll post two today and show another awesome...
READER PHOTOS! Nina's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Nina Schlosberg in Waltham, Massachusetts. Nina says, "I've been gardening here for over 20 years. Eventually there will be no more grass on the property because each year I...
READER PHOTOS! Edgardo's visit to Kingwood Center in Ohio
Today's photos are from Edgardo Aro. Edgardo says, "I am a snowbird (northerner traveling south during winter) from Mayfield Village, Ohio. I just returned from my winter travels to the southern and...
READER PHOTOS! Brooke's garden in Indiana
Today's photos come from Brooke Kroeger in Petersburg, Indiana. Brooke says, "I'm located in the hills of southwestern Indiana, about 30 minutes from the Kentucky border. We live on 7 acres way out...
READER PHOTOS! Eva's garden in Hungary
The GPOD goes international today with Eva Beke's garden in Budapest, Hungary! Eva says, "I am a high school teacher by profession. However, after I had moved to New York City (and lived there more...
READER PHOTOS! Sally's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Sally Barker in Maryland. Sally says, "When my sons left home about 15 years ago I decided the backyard skateboard ramp needed to go and I began tackling vines and weeds...
READER PHOTOS! Stefani's garden in California
Today's photos are from Stefani Bittner in Lafayette, California. I met Stefani when I was in California a few weeks ago, and we had a great talk about her veggie garden. I begged for photos. And...
READER PHOTOS! Harriet's garden in Maine, BEFORE!
Last Friday, Harriet Robinson shared her pool garden in Otisfield, Maine, with us, and I so longed for a before shot. Lo and behold, she sent one in that night! She also gave me a little more info on...
READER PHOTOS! Magnolias at Longwood Gardens
Today's photos are from Viktoria Mullin, who gardens in Connecticut. Victoria had a chance to visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, last month at the height of the magnolia bloom...
READER PHOTOS! John's garden in New Jersey
Today's photos are from John Markowski in central New Jersey. John says, "I've been gardening for about ten years and started from scratch at my current home about seven years ago. My biggest...
READER PHOTOS! Susan's garden in Georgia
Happy Monday, GPODers! Today's photos are from Susan Merritt outside Atlanta, Georgia. This may look like an awfully long post to read on a Monday morning, but trust me, I think you'll all find at...
READER PHOTOS! Harriet's garden in Maine
Today's photos are from Harriet Robinson in Otisfield, Maine. Harriet says, "Our filled-in swimming pool is now a colorful backyard garden. Here it is during daylily season. Daylilies have become so...
READER PHOTOS! Marcia's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Marcia Brown in Windsor Mill, Maryland. We featured Marcia's garden back in January (refresh your memory here), and she wrote back last week to show off one of her recent...
READER PHOTOS! Elizabeth's garden in Georgia
Today's photos are from Elizabeth Majestic (coolest surname ever) in Atlanta, Georgia. Elizabeth says, "Here are some of my favorite photos from my garden this Spring. What makes my garden unique is...
READER PHOTOS! Marc's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Marc Goodman in North Beach, Maryland. Marc says, "I’ve been in this house since 1995. It faces the Chesapeake Bay. North Beach is a charming little Bayside...
READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California, in spring
We've visited Pauline and Irvin Faria's garden in Carmichael, California several times (refresh your memory here, here, here, here, here, here, and here), and today we have some scenes of spring from...
READER PHOTOS! Michaele's garden in Tennessee
Last fall, Micaele sent us some photos of her clouds of pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris, USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10), and I don't know about you, but I fell in love with that plant refresh...
READER PHOTOS: Brenda's garden in Georgia, Day 2
Today we're revisiting Brenda Addington's garden in Suwanee, Georgia. Yesterday we saw the bolder side of her bulb plantings, in reds and daffodil-yellows. Today we see the softer side in shades of...
READER PHOTOS! Brenda's garden in Georgia, Day 1
Way back in October, we featured Brenda Addington's garden in Suwanee, Georgia, where we were wowed by her autumnal displays (refresh your memory here and here). Today we get a glimpse of SPRING in...
READER PHOTOS! Brenda's garden in South Carolina
Today's photos come from Brenda Parent in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Brenda says, "My grandmother had a farm in North Carolina where I spent a few weeks each summer with no TV, and my father...
READER PHOTOS! Karen's garden in Illinois
Today's photos are from Karen Cherry in Illinois. She says, "I grew up on a farm with a pragmatic father, who's mantra was "if you can't eat it, why grow it?" Yet he indulged my appetite for beauty...
READER PHOTOS! Sheila's container gardens in Colorado
Today's photos are from Sheila Schultz in Denver, Colorado. Sheila's a bit of a celebrity here at FG (and she's a darned awesome person and a frequent commenter here). She's won the Fine Gardening...
READER PHOTOS! Bill's garden in Virginia
Today's photos are from Bill Hewitt in Suffolk, Virginia. Bill says, "Not a lot of people think of palms growing in Virginia, but they are my passion and of course my favorite tree. My favorite...
READER PHOTOS! Karen's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Karen Langenfeld in Akron, Ohio. Karen says, "I live primarily in Florida now, and am learning how to create a garden in the warm climate. But my home in Akron is close to...
READER PHOTOS! More clematis from Terie's garden in New York
A couple of weeks ago, when I posted the latest installment of photos from Terie Rawn's awesome garden in Newfield, New York, a couple of you were enthralled by the clematis she had growing on one of...
READER PHOTOS! James's garden in California
Today's photos are from James Rubie in Sacramento, California. James says, "I live in the Land Park area of Sacramento. I started this California cottage garden about 10 years ago. I spend a...
READER PHOTO! Melissa's garden in New Jersey
Today's photo is from Melissa Ryle. She says, "I live in New Jersey near the shore. I've been gardening for about 10 years now and little by little I have transformed my half-acre yard. It changes...
READER PHOTOS! Ana's garden in Portugal
Boy, do I get excited when we get photos in from far-off countries! Today's photos are from Ana Abrantes. I was tempted to "edit" Ana's words, but decided to let her speak as herself: "Hi, I live in...
READER PHOTOS! Bob & Mary Ann's garden in Kentucky
Today's photos are from Bob and Mary Ann Hines in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. They say, "We bought our home in Elizabethtown in 2008 and fenced in our very bare backyard to keep our dogs safe. In...
READER PHOTOS! Benjamin's garden in Nebraska
Today's photo are form Benjamin Vogt in Lincoln, Nebraska. Benjamin says, "Here are several images of my prairie-esque garden. I began the garden in July of 2007 (almost 5 years old!). I use 75...
Califonia dreamin'
I'm in the midst of planning a trip to California, leaving next week, to go to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, and to visit with some of my favorite gardening people. Among them are...
READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California: water features
I didn't think Pauline and Faria's garden in California could get any better, but every few months, Irvin sends me some new photos, and I get blown away by the awesomeness once again. Remember...
READER PHOTOS! Belinda's garden in Ontario
Today's photos are from Belinda Mayer inKinburn, Ontario, just outside of Ottawa. She says, "We live on a 4-acre treed lot where we make our own maple syrup. I’ve planted mostly native...
READER PHOTOS! Cynthia's garden in Kansas
Today's photos are from Cynthia Blixt in Merriam, Kansas. She says, "My husband built my garden out of some large rocks. He works for a construction company and had access to the right kind of...
READER PHOTOS! Kathy's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Kathy Sturr in Clayton, New York, waaaaaay up north, near Lake Ontario and the Canadian border. Kathy says, "This is a section of my garden I call the bird & butterfly...
Gardens, mountains, and streams
The Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer Program of western North Carolina contacted us recently to promote their upcoming garden tour, and sent along some really nice photos from last years...
READER PHOTOS! Even more from Terie's garden in New York
Can you tell that I can't get enough of Terie Rawn's garden in Newfield, New York? Today we have just a few more photos from various parts of her garden. No theme here, just a sampling to enjoy...
READER PHOTOS! Teri's garden in New York, revisited
We're visiting Terie Rawns garden in Newfield, New York, again today to take a look at her creative birdbath treatment. Terie says, "Shortly after our house was built it was time to turn our...
READER PHOTOS! Freeland and Sabrina's garden in California
Today's photos and tip were sent in by Rebecca Sweet, one of my favorite people/garden designers. She visited garden designers Freeland and Sabrina Tanner at their garden and home in Napa...
READER PHOTOS! Jan's garden in Ohio, revisited
We featured Jan Meissner's Avon, Ohio, garden last spring (here, here, & here). She's back again this year with this selection of photos that are having her longing for spring (we know how she...
READER PHOTOS! Giuseppe's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Linda Purrazzella in Southampton, New York. She says, "My father, Giuseppe, has always been the gardener in the family…not a green thumb but a golden one. Whatever he...
READER PHOTOS! Bonnie's garden in Georgia
Today's photos are from Bonnie Helander in Peachtree City, Georgia. She says, "These are pictures of my garden from spring of 2011. I used to garden in Zone 7b but I understand that with the new USDA...
READER PHOTOS! Sarah's garden in Maine
Today's photos are from Sarah Wolpow in Brunswick, Maine. She says, "Here are some photos from my newly Zone 6a garden in southern Maine (we were 5b until the new zone map came out - a little scary...
READER PHOTOS! Cynthia's garden in Rwanda--MORE
Remember back on Monday, when Cynthia Goodson shared the cool cycad in her garden in Rwanda? Well, i begged her for photos of the rest of the garden, and she sent some in! Cynthia wants to stress...
READER PHOTOS! Gina's garden in Idaho
Today's photos are from Michael Toolson and Gina Wells in Boise, Idaho. Michael says, "In the spring of 2006, I was looking for a project that would afford me a degree of freedom to express myself as a landscaper, and...
READER PHOTOS! Cynthia's garden in Rwanda
Yes, Rwanda...exciting, yes?! Today's photos are from Cynthia Goodson. She says, "My husband and I have lived in Kigali, Rwanda, where he is with the U.S. Embassy, since early September. Our...
READER PHOTOS! Jan's garden in Wisconsin
Another Wisconsin garden! Today's photos are from Jan Murin. She says, "I garden near Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin. It is a corner lot with the neighbor's shrubs on the north border and a...
READER PHOTOS! Barb's garden in Wisconsin
Today's photos are from Barb Herreid in Wisconsin. She says, "I live in the center of the state on a lake - definitely a zone 4. The soil here is sandy, so I do lots of amending every...
READER PHOTOS! Phillip's garden in Alabama, Day 2
Day 2 of Phillip's garden brings us three vignettes around three charming white birdhouses. Check out the captions for plant IDs. I, for one, will be searching for that butterfly bush at the...
READER PHOTOS! Phillip's garden in Alabama
Today's photos are from Phillip Oliver in Florence, Alabama. Phillip says, "We moved into our house in 1992 and the property was pretty much a blank slate. There were some old fruit trees and a few...
READER PHOTOS! Denise's garden in upstate New York
Today's photos are from Denise Dyko. She says, "This garden is located in the midHudson Valley of New York. It is less than ¼ of an acre in Zone 5a (new zone map), although I do have...
READER PHOTOS! More from Terie's garden in New York
Back to business! Today's photos are from Terie Rawn in Newfield, New York. We featured Terie's charming garden cottage back on January 24th. (Click here to revisit it). I'd hoped that Terie would...
BEHOLD! The GPOD Pinterest Page!
OK, so I hope you'll all forgive the interuption in our normal routine of new garden photos, but I wanted to take today to show you what I've been working on for the past couple of days--the GPOD...
Eve's garden in Tennessee, Day 2: Containers
When Eve sent in all of the photos of her garden a couple of days ago, I knew I wanted to feature her containers all on their own. They may not be over-the-top flashy, but they're awesome! I love how...
Eve's garden in Tennessee
Today's photos are from Eve J. in Tennessee. Eve says, "I live in Norris, Tennessee, a very small historic town which was built as the first actual planned community in the 1930s to house workers who...
READER PHOTOS! Sarah's garden in Illinois, Day 2: The back yard
We saw Sarah Hall's front garden at her home in Champaign, Illinois, on Friday. Now it's time for the back! Completely different, but just as awesome. Sarah says, "These pictures feature various...
READER PHOTOS! Sarah's garden in Illinois, Day 1: The front yard
We'll spend the next two days (Well, today and Monday!) in Sarah Hall's garden in Champaign, Illinois. Today's photos are from Sarah's front yard. But first, an introduction to Sarah. Sarah...
READER PHOTOS! Carol's garden in Georgia
Today's photos are from Carol Stewart in Atlanta, Georgia. Carol says, "Here is a picture of my garden this past summer. I enjoy using annuals and perennials in my garden. My garden is always...
READER PHOTOS! Andrea's espalier in Idaho
Today's photos are from Andrea Niederer near Boise, Idaho. Andrea says, "I live in the Intermountain West, near Boise, Idaho, in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. We have lots of sun and cool nights so...
READER PHOTOS! Liz's garden in Washington
Today's photos are from Liz Barry in North Bend, Washington. She says, "I love gardening as a hobby and also work part-time as a gardener, I own my own small business gardening for about 10...
READER PHOTOS! Rebecca's garden in British Columbia
Today's photos came from Cherry Ong, whose garden we've featured in the past, here. I'm thinking gardening is in her blood, especially after I got a glimpse of these photos of her mom's garden...
READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 3: This and that
One last day in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus (for now...we're hoping Tim will keep sending in photos, yes?). Tim says, "This is an assortment of garden photos and plant portraits that arent...
READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 2: The front yard
Check out the next awesome transformation in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio! Tim says, "Our 100 year-old, suburban home sits up on a berm. Besides being unappealing, it was somewhat...
READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 1: The gravel garden
We're spending the next three days in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio. He's got lots of good stuff to show us! We'll start with his driveway gravel garden. Tim says, "I've been slowly...
READER PHOTOS! Terie's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Terie Rawn in Newfield, New York. Terie says, "Here are various pictures of my backyard gardens featuring the garden cottage that my husband built to honor our 30th wedding...
READER PHOTOS! Even more from Jane's garden in Minnesota
I can't resist another day of Jane Horn's garden in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Her plant combos are so great! Here's a portion of her garden along a shady path. Jane's plant IDs are in the first caption...
READER PHOTOS! More from Jane's garden in Prior Lake, Minnesota
We featured Jane Horn's driveway garden in Prior Lake, Minnesota, in the GPOD's 2nd birthday post, but today we feature another, lusher portion of her garden. She sent these photos in with the...
READER PHOTOS! Julia's garden in Minnesota
Today's photos are from Julia Brown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She says, "I became interested in flower gardening about 30 years ago after seeing a beautiful landscape photo in a magazine. My...
READER PHOTOS! More from Leslie's garden in Colorado
We featured some scenes from Leslie Ornelas's gorgeous Colorado Springs, Colorado, garden back on October 12th of 2011, and if you go back and take another look, you might recognize some of the...
READER PHOTOS! Avis's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Avis Veseley in southern Maryland. She says, "This is a picture taken from our little "Wee House" where we nap, play with grandchildren, sort seeds and plan gardensnbspWhen...
READER PHOTOS! Jeffrey's visit to Larnach Castle
Today's photos (no, that first one's not photoshopped...Wow!) are from Jeffrey Ross. Jeff says, "I live in the Sonoran Desert of North Phoenix, Arizona. I started my blog, Gardening on the Moonnbspbecause...
READER PHOTOS! More from Sara's garden in California
Back on December 21st, we featured three photos from Sara Malone's garden in Somoma County, taken by her friend Janice LeCocq. They knocked our socks off, and Janice promised to send more...
READER PHOTO! More from Lola's garden in New York
We featured Lola's great wall and pond yesterday, but today we see a view of a different part of her property. Lola says...
READER PHOTOS! Lola's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Lola Stanton in Highland Lake, New York. She says, I had wanted a water feature for years and years, something my husband did not see any use for! The yard slopes down and our basement always got flooded, so last year my husband built the wall himself and added a drainage system....
Want us to feature YOUR garden on the Garden Photo of the Day blog?
Here at the Garden Photo of the Day, we LOVE featuring your gardens! In fact, the blog has evolved over the last couple of years to feature mainly reader photos, with a few FG-staff-shot photos here...
READER PHOTOS! Marcia's garden in Maryland
Today's photos are from Marcia Brown. She says, "I live outside of Baltimore, Maryland, on eight acres, only one of which can be touched. The rest is forest conservation designation, which is...
READER PHOTOS! Bruce's garden in Louisiana
Boy, we sure have been all over the continent in the past few weeks! New York, Massachusetts, Montana, California, Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, New Jersey... Let's travel south today...
READER PHOTOS! More from Kielian's garden in Montana
Remember Kielian DeWitt? We featured her garden back on December 9th. Take another look. OK, so Kielian sent in these photos last week, and while she was worried they're not "gardeny" enough for the...
READER PHOTO! Mary Jane's garden in New York
Today's photo is from Mary Jane Hayhurst in Orchard Park, New York. She says, "This is the view from our porch and as you enter from the driveway. In the foreground is hostas, ferns, astilbes...
The GPOD's 2nd birthday!
Happy birthday to us!! The GPOD was "born" exactly two years ago today, on January 4th, 2010. Whew--that's more than 500 posts! I kinda need a nap... Take a minute to go back to the beginning. Its...
Lost in the bamboo
Here are a couple of serene scenes from the bamboo garden at Matterhorn Nursery in New York. Stay tuned tomorrow for the winner of the New Year's gardening resolutions drawing from yesterday!
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year, everyone! Doesn't it feel fresh and new, like we've just hit a reset button? I don't know about you, but I'm vowing to do everything bigger and better this year. Today...
Through the gateway to a new year
Today's photo, the last one of 2011 (Wow!), was taken by assistant editor Antonio Reis. Antonio says, "This is yet another whimsical feature at Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, Connecticut. I...
Moss and stones at Sticks and Stones
Today's photo is from Assistant Editor Antonio Reis once again. Antonio says, "This is one of many labyrinths that I’ve found and half-completed (they take such a long time from start to...
Upcycling in the garden...
Today's photo was taken by assistant editor Antonio Reis while on a photo shoot this fall. He says, "When I visited Lee Reich at his home in New Paltz, New York, I noticed these Croc-esque shoes hanging...
READER PHOTOS! More from Pauline's garden in California
I'm beginning to think that Irvin and Pauline Faria's garden in Carmichael, California, is much larger than I originally thought! We've featured Pauline's garden here, here, here, and here. In this...
READER PHOTOS! Odile's garden in New York
Happy Boxing Day, everyone! Today's photos are from Odile LaComb in Messina, New York. Odile says, "We live in Massena, New York, on the St. Lawrence River, which is the border between Canada and the...
Happy Holidays!!
Today's photos are from Shauna McWilliams in Radnor, Pennsylvania. She recently visited the conservatory at Longwood Gardens and had to share this spectacular gingerbread man tree. For eveyone who...
READER PHOTOS! Gary's Japanese garden in Nova Scotia
Today's photos are from Gary Billard in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Gary says, "This is the Japanese Garden that I installed this Spring. I started Gardening about 10 years ago when I moved...
READER PHOTOS! Sara's garden in California
Today's photos are from Janice LeCocq, of Sara Malone's garden in Sonoma County, California. Janice says, "I recently finished a photo shoot at my friend, Sara Malone's, wonderful garden. She...
READER PHOTOS! Katy & Tom's garden in Massachusetts
Today's photos are from Katy and Tom Dunlay. Katy says, "My husband and I live just outside of Boston in the town of Westwood, Massachusetts. We built this house 26 years ago. Every year we add new...
READER PHOTOS! More from Bonnie's garden in Pennsylvania
We featured a few photos of Bonnie Pancoast's gardens a few weeks ago--a colorful front garden and her very cool labyrinth. Today she's sharing her garden shed, which is just as great! Bonnie...
READER PHOTOS! Peg's visit to the Phipps Conservatory
Today's photos are from Peg McCann in St. Joseph, Michigan. She visited the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh in 2010, and found this fanciful dragon. She says, "These twig dragons were made with...
READER PHOTOS! Cheryl's garden in Ohio
Today's photos are from Cheryl Hoon in Upper Arlington, Ohio. We think it perfectly illustrates that you can make spectacular combinations with common plants. Featured are 'Hidcote' lavender...
READER PHOTOS! Can't get enough of Pauline's garden...
Here's our weekly dose of gorgeousness from Pauline's garden in Carmichael, California, thanks to Pauline's husband, Irvin Faria. Irvin says, "An Oribe-style Japanese lantern, designed specifically...
Driftwood garden
Another cool shot from Darcy Daniels' garden in Portland, Oregon, this time of a pretty piece of driftwood used as a container of sorts for succulents, an itty bitty fern, and a miniature hosta. So...
Gazing ball nirvana
I've featured gazing balls in the past, always trying to find new ways to use this sometimes-called-cliche garden ornament in inventive, fantastic ways. This one falls into that category. Darcy...
READER PHOTOS! Kielian's garden in Montana
Today's photos are from Kielian DeWitt in Montana. She says, "After moving to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, I wondered if the gardening rules from my home state of Colorado would apply...
Just a little bit of color
It's amazing what just a little bit of color and structure will do to make winter oh-so-much-more attractive. This rustic birdhouse, besides attracting feathered friends to this garden, turns a...
READER PHOTOS! Michael's garden in Oregon
Today's photos are from Michael Follose in Oregon. He says, "Our home and garden are located in Central Oregon, a high desert area with a short (about 90 day) growing season. We live in a...
READER PHOTOS! Linda's Garden in California
Todays photos are from Rebecca Sweet, who wanted to share some photos from her mother's garden in Meadow Vista, California. I'm so glad she did! Rebecca says, "My mother, Linda Anderson, who gardens...
READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California, in full fall color
It seems like every few days now, Irvin Faria sends me a few new photos from his wife Pauline's garden in Carmichael, California, and I love it! Today's photos show her garden in full fall swing, and...
Which came first?
Revisiting Hollister House, one has to wonder if Geoge Schoellkopf chose this stunning pot or the color on his house's shutters first. However it happened, the color echo is wonderful. On top of...
O Romeo, Romeo...
Wherefore art thou Romeo? That's what came to mind when I came upon this balcony at Hollister House last summer. George Schoellkopf and Ron Johnson's garden in northwestern Connecticut was open for...
Autumnal colors in August
Check out this warm-hued combo from Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boyleston, Massachusetts. The colors are pleasingly harmonious, but the mix of textures is exciting. While this photo was taken in...
A grand, classic statement
Things I love about this space at Old Westbury Gardens: 1. The historic grandeur2. The strong contrast between the bright white columns and their deep green background3. The draping branches of the...
READER PHOTOS! Bonnie's garden in Pennsylvania
Today's photos are from Bonnie Pancoast. She says: In September of 2004 I lost my home and gardens to then Tropical Storm Ivan. (By the time it reached the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania it...
Happy Thanksgiving!
Is your turkey in the oven yet? Check out Irvin and Pauline Faria's turkeys in the garden! He says, "Pauline’s garden is a Certified National Wildlife Habitat. Its woodland setting provides an...
Debra's adorned pot
Today's photos are from Rebecca Sweet, a Los Altos garden designer and one of my very favorite Californians! She had an opportunity recently to visit the garden of succulent queen Debra Lee Baldwin...
READER PHOTO! Clare's garden in New Jersey
Today's photo is from Clare Oliva in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. She says, "This is my side yard (the house is on the left just out of sight). This view is especially beautiful and colorful in...
READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California, revisited
Back in the beginning of October, we got a glimpse into Irvin and Pauline Faria's garden in Carmichael, California. Irvin took a few moments last week to send in some fall photos. He says, "Here are...
READER PHOTOS! Michaele's garden in Tennessee
Today's photos are from Michaele Anderson in Friendsville,Tennessee. She says, "I am always enchanted when the frothy clouds of pink show up in the fall from what I call pink muhly grass...
READER PHOTOS! Karin's garden in California
Today's photos are from Karin Grecu near Sacramento, California. She says, "Sheldon's photos on Tuesday inspired me to take some photos of a place not usually known for its fall foliage: California...
READER PHOTOS! Nancy's garden in New York
Today's photos are from Nancy Ridenour in Ithaca, New York. She says, "About 10 years ago, I purchased 6 lotus plants from the Ithaca farmer's market and placed them at the edge of my pondnbsp...
READER PHOTOS! Sheldon's garden in the Catskills
Today's photo is from Sheldon Martin (Our very own Tractor1!!) in the northern Catskill mountains of upstate New York. It's a birch tree that stands in front of his garden shed. Beautiful fall color...
READER PHOTOS! John's parents' garden in Minnesota
Today's photos are from John Benjamin Kamp in Minneapolis. He says, "So, this landscape I designed for my parents, who were looking to turn a very haphazard perennial garden into something with a bit...
READER PHOTO! Marilyn's garden in Washington state
Today's photos are from Marilyn Buergel in Spokane, Washington. She says, "I had this mirror left from a remodel in the basement. My neighbor and friend helped me (he did all the work really) to...
READER PHOTO! Jan Johnsen in upstate New York
Today's photo is from Jan Johnsen, a garden designer in Mt. Kisco, New York. She says, "This photo shows part of a double cascade that I created for a client. Japanese junipers...
READER PHOTOS! Bulking up for a long winter
Today's photos, like yesterday's, are from Eamonn Hughes in Wilsonville, Oregon. The first is a shot of the baby koi in his pond, getting one last feeding before settling in for the winter, while the...
READER PHOTOS! Eamonn's garden in Oregon
Today's photos are from Eamonn Hughes in Wilsonville, Oregon. He says, "Fall has certainly arrived in the Pacific Northwest with some hard frosts already under our belts. I thought I would share with...
READER PHOTOS! The aftermath of the northeastern October snowstorm
A huge snowstorm blew throught the northeast on October 29th, so early in the season that many of our trees were still leafed out. All that extra surface area meant the trees collected way more snow...
Let's start a new trend!
You know how, when you visit a lot of cities in the past few yeras, many of them seem to have those painted cows? Well, a few weeks ago I stopped in at the Jenkins Arboretum in Devon...
READER PHOTOS! Nora's garden in Australia
Today's photos are from Nora Fernandes in Melbourne, Australia. She says, "I had to remove my lawn due to water restrictions last year in Melbourne. I tried to create a place to inspire peacefulness...
A busy bench demands a busy plant
Another couple of shots from the Enid A. Haupt garden--this garden is a TREASURE! These benches certainly don't fade into the background, even though their color usually would. Instead, theyre...
Mystery Plant!
While wandering the Enid A. Haupt Garden a few weeks ago (it's part of the Smithsonian Institute on the National Mall in Washington D.C.), I stumbled across this awesome plant rimming the edge...
Happy Halloween!!
A few weeks ago, on my final visit of the season to Longwood Gardens, I happened to catch this awesome pumpkin/gourd/squash display, and I thought it'd be the perfect Halloween post. After all...
A mesmerizing hedge on Long Island
I spotted this hedge along a side street in Northport, New york, while visiting family a few weeks ago. I was struck first by its size, and then by how great it looks with several different...
READER PHOTOS! Marilyn's golden garden backdrop
Today's photos are from Marilyn Regnier in Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota. She says, "The woods around our house here in Minnesota are full of sugar maples. Fall is one of my favorite seasons when...
READER PHOTOS! A clean slate transformed
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia. She says, "We have a very small back yard-- about 500 square feet--and when we moved in many years ago, our it was a mere patch of...
An autumn day at home
I was home yesterday with the last bit of a cold, with no access to the usual batch of photos, so today, check out some things that were still going on in my garden yesterday afternoon. Now's the...
Show us your pumpkins!!
OK, so, Halloween is coming up, a week from today to be exact, and we wanna see what you're doing with your pumpkins. This year, how about a botanical theme? (Not that this holiday display, a few...
READER PHOTOS! Viktoria's garden in Connecticut
Today's photos are from Viktoria Mullin in Cromwell, Connecticut. She says, "I couldn’t resist sharing my autumn garden with you. I’m so happy and proud of myself and my plants! Believe...
READER PHOTOS! More from Brenda's garden in Georgia
More photos today from Brenda Addington's garden in Suwanee, Georgia. Don't you think she's really good at incorporating ornaments into her garden in a tasteful way? Love it! Thanks, Brenda, for...
READER PHOTOS! Brenda's garden in Georgia
Today's photos are from Brenda Addington's Zone 7B garden in Georgia. Gorgeous bridge, Brenda, and the lantana is beautiful! We'll see a few more photos from Brenda's garden tomorrow. Stay tunedAnd...
READER PHOTOS! Julie's garden in Pennsylvania
Today's photos are from Julie Witmer from her Zone 5 Pennsylvania garden. She says, "I am quite surprised and pleased with myself at how good everything is still looking in October. Our first freeze...
Little thatched cottage & garden
One more shot from Old Westbury Gardens, but a much smaller-scale scene! Today's image is of an adorable thatched cottage and cottage garden. Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene had dropped a tree quite near this garden (it didn't hit the cottage, luckily!), so I couldn't get any closer. I would have liked to peek inside the windows and get some close-up shots of those plants!
Tis the season...
...of grasses! This time of year, most of the excitement you'll find in northern gardens comes from blooming ornamental grasses blowing in the breeze. Here are a few shots that illustrate that...
Lounging in the lady's mantle
In Barbara Blossom Ashmun's garden in Portland, Oregon, lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis, USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7) makes the perfect billowy bed for a reclining duo. Barbara is a garden designer in...
READER PHOTOS! Leslie's garden in Colorado Springs
Today's photos are from Leslie Ornelas in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She says, " The old adage in my area is that if you can garden in Colorado, you can garden anywhere!! Between wind, drought...
READER PHOTO! Pauline's garden in Carmichael, California
Irvin Faria emailed me last week to share this photo of his wife's garden. I had to know more. He says, "Pauline is my wife of 58 years. She will turn 79 in December and continues to care for...
The Ghost Walk
This shady corridor at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, New York, ends at two clever peacocks, their plumage represented by evergreen...
The flower gardens at Old Westbury
The flower gardens at Old Westbury Gardens are a study in symmetry and formality. Here are a few scenes of the late summer beds and their surrounding...
Beware the full moon....
I've wanted to visit Old Westbury Gardens ever since I saw the 1994 movie Wolf with Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer. Can't you just imagine these scenes under a full moon with a werewolf...
The conservatory at Planting Fields
The conservatory at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, New York, is lovely, with lots of benches so that you can sit for a while and take in the gorgeous tropical plantings. It would be a great...
A momumental evergreen tunnel
I can't begin to imagine how many years it took to grow this evergreen tunnel at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, New York. Any guesses? Here's a helpful tip: As far as I can tell, it's all...
Bonsai at night
If you're lucky enough to find yourself at the Chicago Botanic Garden at night, you'll see a whole new dimension to their courtyard bonsai display. Sure, during the day, the frosted glass panels are...
A living wall with flowing tresses
This gorgeous little living wall is at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima, USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11) almost acts as a frame of long, flowing...
A melding of plants and hardscape
This wall isn't a prominent feature at the Chicago Botanic Garden. If I recall correctly, it's situated near the bathrooms. But it deserves a more exalted location! I love how the planted side mimics...
The total package
This garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden has it all: gorgeous, meandering brick pathways, a classic teak bench, a refreshing and beautiful fountain, and the perfect mix of formality and...
The green streets of Chicago
I'd always heard that Chicago was a very green city (lots of gardens, not eco-friendly, though I'm sure it's got its eco-friendly attributes...). Michigan Avenue proves it! The median plantings are...
Scenes from Millenium Park
As promised, here a few scenes from gardens in Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. A couple of these, forgive me, aren't garden-related, but I can't resist sharing two of the most successful pieces...
Scenes from Lurie Garden
I had a chance to visit Lurie Garden in Millenium Park in downtown Chicago a couple of weeks ago (thanks again to Amanda Thomsen, FG's newest blogger, who acted as my guide!), and it was spectacular...
More bright paint for the garden
Frames aren't the only things the folks at The Growing Place in Naperville, Illinois, are painting. Here they've created a cute little vignette by painting an old wooden door fuchsia and surrounding...
Framing a natural piece of art
Is there a plant in your garden that you adore more than any other? One that you think deserves more attention and fawning? A plant that is in its seasonal prime? Frame it! That's what the folks at...
A chainlink fence transformed
I spotted this sight while strolling the suburbs of Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I love how the gardener has camouflaged the chainlink fence with cosmos, sunflowers, and what looks to be a...
Feelin' the heat...
Did I mention that it was HOT in Chicago when I visited a couple of weeks ago? We're talking mid-90s and steamy. Apparently, I wasn't the only one wilting in the heat. I spotted this little guy...
Slideshow: Personal Touches Make All the Difference
Tour the California garden of Rebecca Sweet.
Living in the front yard
Here is an example of something I wish I saw more often in my gardening travels--places to sit in the front yard! Lauren McVey Rush, another gardener I visited when in Chicago a couple of weeks ago...
More homemade garden structures
Today we're revisiting Wendy Ory's garden in the suburbs of Chicago, where I notices two more beautiful garden structures created by Wendy's husband, Mike. It sure pays to have a spouse who's handy...
Repurposing architectural details in the garden
I visited a bunch of gardens around Chicago a couple of weeks ago (special thanks to Amanda Thomsen, FG's newest blogger, who acted as my guide!), and in one of those gardens, I fell in love with...
READER PHOTOS! The best of the tomato season
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong. She says, "I just attended an heirloom tomato tasting session at my favorite local nursery here in Richmond, British Columbia, Phoenix Perennials. It was...
There's ALWAYS room for a garden
Not everyone has dozens of acres to great their life's garden masterpiece. In fact, a vast number of people claim to have no space to garden at all. This garden proves that if there's a will, theres...
Les Quatre Vents - And finally, some flowers!
Lest you think there are no flowers... I have this bad habit, I know, of choosing a lot of very green photos for the GPOD, and looking over the last two weeks of photos from Les Quatre Vents, I...
Les Quatre Vents - The view on the other side
Yesterday we promised you the view on the other side of that scary rope bridge. Here it is! (note: this is not the view from the bridge...you can see the bridge in the top of the first photo) A...
Les Quatre Vents - Cross if you dare
This long and narrow rope bridge spans a wooded ravine at Les Quatre Vents. It may look scary, but it's worth the trip to the middle, where you'll spot another whimsical frog in the foliage below...
Les Quatre Vents - Climbing the stairs
There are stairs everywhere at Les Quatre Vents, and they range from carefully constructed stone masterpieces (some dripping with moss) to steep log stairs that wind through foliagecovered...
Les Quatre Vents - Botanical music
This little band of musical frogs is hidden in a series of tall arborvitae hedges. It's not easy to find, but when you do, your motion triggers a Dixieland jazz performance! **All last week...
Les Quatre Vents - An optical illusion
This paved pathway looks like it goes on forever, doesn't it? Look a little closer.... **All this week and next, we're featuring photos of the gardens at Les Quatre Vents, the home of Frank and Anne...
Les Quatre Vents - The blue moon bridge
This Chinese moon bridge and its reflection create a gorgeous blue oval on a calm day. I've always wondered if it's hard to walk on one of these steeply-arched bridges...then I found a photo that showed me what I should have guessed all along...stairs!
Les Quatre Vents - Curved and circular steps
Today we see a couple of gorgeous curved staircases that are planted with alpine and rock garden plants. Not only are the shapes of the stairs a softened version of the norm, but the plants soften these steps even more, making this a relaxed and inviting space. The...
Les Quatre Vents - Water and reflections
Continuing the series of photos from Frank and Anne Cabot's gardens at Les Quatre Vents in Quebec, here are some shots of water and reflections from other parts of the...
The gardens of Les Quatre Vents
Many years ago, I had the great privilege of working at Stonecrop Gardens, a small and wonderful public garden in upstate New York that was started by Frank and Anne Cabot in 1992. Frank is also the...
A reflection steals the show
This container grouping in Laura Crockett's garden is successful because of several different factors. The screen behind the pots makes the plantings stand out beautifully, mking the plantings stand...
Designing in black and white
This combo in Laura Crockett's garden in Hillsboro, Oregon, is a study in strong contrasts. The black pot and burgundy-leaved eucomis create lots of excitement when combined with the silvery leaves...
A multipurpose wall with wow-factor
This stunning metal wall in Laura Crocket's garden in Hillsboro, Oregon, serves several purposes. It serves as a backdrop for dramatic plantings on the public side, creating strong color contrasts...
A different perspective, just as good
We featured Laura Crockett's garden in the magazine way back in the August 2005 issue, and ever since, I think of her garden as one of my all-time favorites. Laura has a quirky style that makes her...
Luscious leaves
This understaed combo is all about foliage. It almost begs you to lean down and touch the leaves. Who needs flowers with textures like these? Included is 'Catlin's Giant' carpet bugleweed Ajuga...
Yellow lambs' ears done right
The thought of a yellow lambs' ears (Stachys byzantina 'Primrose Heron', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8) could make you cringe if you haven't seen one before. But this combo designed by Freeland and...
Topped off with plants
Today we feature a staircase at Chanticleer where the sloping handrail walls are planted with a lush combo of tropicals, perennials, and annuals. I would love to know what that beefy vine...
A gardeny spot to enjoy a bite
While in Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago, our new assistant editor, Tony, and I had a chance to stop in at Terrain, the nursery run by the same stylish folks as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters...
A heavy rainfall transforms plants
A heavy rainfall in the northeast yesterday was a boon to our bedraggled and parched, late summer gardens, and while many of the plants in the area looked beaten down temporarily, it was interesting...
More from the ruins garden at Chanticleer
We finished off last week with some shots from the ruins garden at Chanticleer, and this week we have just a few more. Let me know if this is getting boring! (I doubt it...) I'm not sure what this...
Playing with fire
Here's another section of the ruins garden at Chanticleer, where the gardeners have turned an old fireplace into a playful place for succulents and plays on words. I love how the plants drip from...
Perfection in reflection
I know I've featured this little area of Chanticleer Garden before, but I just visited it again (it's in the ruins garden) last week, and yet again, I could barely tear myself away. It's as about a...
Two mystery plants at Longwood Gardens
I fell in love with two plants I'd never seen before when I was at Longwood Gardens last week. Unfortunately, neither was labeled. Sure, I could email Longwood to beg for IDs, but I thought I'd ask...
The coolest public restrooms on the planet...
I visited Longwood Gardens down in Pennsylvania late last week, and one of the things I was most excited to see was, believe it or not, their new public bathrooms. When I was there late last summer...
A grand mid-summer display
This was the garden bed that greeted us at one of the gardens we visited a couple of weeks ago for the Garden Conservancy Open Days Program in northwestern Connecticut. It ran alond the entire...
A pool that belongs
Here's an example of a pool that truly fits its surroundings. In this rural, natural setting, a bright turqoise patch of water with a wide, bright patio would have looked jarring and harsh. Instead...
Looking to unlikely materials
When I pulled into the parking lot at Atlock Farm a few weeks ago, this was the first thing to catch my eye. After admiring the intriguing mix of plants and the massive, drool-worthy metal...
Garden visiting through the eyes of a 5-year-old
A couple of weeks ago I dragged my husband and daughter out with me to visit some gardens on a Garden Conservancy Open Day in northwestern Connecticut. To keep her happier longer, I gave my daughter...
The cats of Atlock Farm
You all must know I'm a sucker for any pets in a garden. A few weeks ago I visited an author at Atlock Farm in Somerset, New Jersey, and got a huge fix! There's a big, happy family of cats at this...
A followup on the heavenly hell strip
Remember back in May when I posted about the beautiful hell strip I pass on my way to work each day? Refresh your memory here. Back then it was filled with beautiful purple and white tulips, and I...
Views across the ponds at Matterhorn
The display gardens at Matterhorn Nursery in Spring Valley, New York, surround a series of ponds that offer a beautiful foreground for the structures that surround them. Here are just a...
A garden house with a very specific purpose
When I saw this little hut from across the lawn in the display gardens at Matterhorn Nursery in Spring Valley, New York, I was instantly smitten. I love the structure itself, its massive green...
Simple & stunning
One more scene from Linda Allard's garden in Washington, Connecticut. On the way to Linda's painting studio tucked into the woods, you pass by this beautiful view enhanced simply by a large copper...
White cushions--impractical but gorgeous
Here are a few more scenes from Linda Allard's gorgeous garden in Washington, Connecticut. Every piece of furniture on the terrace and by the pool sports snowy white cushions. I have to say that I...
A truly grand garden tool shed
A few weeks ago I took advantage of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program and got to visit Linda Allard's gorgeous garden in Washington, Connecticut. Linda Allard designed clothing for Ellen...
Ouch!
When I went to visit Bob and Christa Stamper's garden in Zionsville, Pennsylvania, a few weeks ago, Bob pointed out this tree, and I was horrified... Holy cow! He says, "This is the common...
Perfection is boring
I love wandering a formal garden and finding a coiled garden hose in the midst of the order, in plain sight. It brings everything down to earth and reinforces the fact that a garden is a labor of...
What would you do?
I'm not sure how I feel about this little patio at the Cross Estate Gardens in Bernardsville, New Jersey. I like the globe/circle theme, but perhaps they should have embraced it a little more...
Even in rough shape, old beats new
Someone must really love this huge urn at the Cross Estate Gardens in Bernardsville, New Jersey. It looks good from afar, right? But up close it looks like this gorgeous vessel has had a rough life...
It's Russian sage time!
I visited a bunch of gardens in New Jersey last week, and one of the most surprising was Colonial Park Gardens in Somerset. It was blazing sun by the time I got there, so these photos aren't the...
And finally, some COLOR!
I just took a look at all of the GPODs for the last 2 1/2 weeks and realized that there hasn't been a single ounce of color besides green in any of the photos. Can't have that! So, to get your color...
READER PHOTO! A walkway in Japan
Bob Stamper in Zionsville, Pennsylvania, was inspired by all of the recent photos of Innisfree to send in this photo. He says, "I took this photo in Kanazawa, Japan, a few years ago. It was part...
Yet another cool chair
One last scene from Innisfree and I'm DONE, I promise! Gray wouldn't normally be my first choice as a hardscape color in a garden, but these gray chairs fit this calm scene perfectly. The color...
Wave Hill chairs at Innisfree
Everywhere you go at Innisfree, you find these wonderful chairs. They're generally called Wave Hill chairs (you'll find oodles of them at Wave Hill, too), but they were designed by Gerrit Rietveld in...
Beauty up close and from afar
I hope you're not tired of seeing images from Innisfree Garden yet, because I can't help myself from devoting another couple of days to this amazing place. Today I'm highlighting this beautiful patio...
A walkway amongst the ferns
I adore this walkway through the ferns and over a creek at Innisfree Garden in Millbrook New York. Its meandering path adds so much to this scene, and it was great fun to walk on. It looks simple to...
When stone and wood become one
Here's another shot of some stonework at Innisfree Garden, but here, it's hard to tell where the stone ends and the plants begin. Lichens are the common denominator here, blurring the lines between...
Stonework at Innisfree
Innisfree Garden in Millbrook, New York, is one of my very favorite public gardens ever, and one of the reasons I love it so much is its stonework. Gorgeous, whimsical, intricate, monumental, its...
I've taken a trip in a time machine...
...back to the days of the dinosaurs. That's what it feels like when I see the stand of monster petasites leaves along the pond at Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, New York! These things are...
A Hudson Valley bee skep
A couple of weekends ago I went on a whirlwind tour of some Hudson Valley (New York) gardens with a couple of gardening buddies. I'll be featuring some of the sights we saw this week. I'll start...
Free at last!
I wonder how many years this poor tree spent confined in a too-small planter box? No matter. It seems to have adjusted just fine to its new-found freedom. You could almost think of it as living...
More pets in the garden!
There were too many great pets to choose from yesterday, so I'm continuing the theme today! Have fun meeting some of the cutest garden helpers around... A couple of years ago, FG spoinsored a "Pets...
Our most beloved garden helpers
As promised in yesterday's post, today is dedicated to the pets we've met in gardens across the country. We can't help but snap a few photos of them when we're on photo shoots. After all, they can...
A Hunter in the garden
We finished off last week with Lynn Felici-Gallant's container creations, and we'll start this week with her dog, Hunter, in her garden. Hunter is Lynn's gardening companion, and has quite a story...
Less can be more in containers
Lest you think Lynn Felici-Gallant only designs window boxes (see yesterday's post), check out this simple, gorgeous container she designed with just ‘Belle Blanche’ datura (Datura metel...
Wonderful windowboxes
Window boxes aren't a common sight on my travels. Perhaps they're considered old-fashioned, or maybe high maintenance? I'm happy to see that garden designer Lynn Felici-Gallant is filling the...
Giant lady's slippers
I'm getting super-excited to visit Stonecrop Gardens this weekend. But I'm sad that I won't get to see this beautiful sight again, since this was taken more than a month earlier last year. This stand...
Push your Pot off the Patio and into the Plants!
Containers aren't just for patios and decks, they can also be used as focal points within a planting. Scott Endres pushed this pot off the patio and into the border in his St. Paul, Minnesota, garden. The...
Similar plants make a subtle tapestry
Walking around the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, this might be the last plant combo you'd notice, tucked under a few shrubs near the exit. But when you've walked around as many public gardens as I...
Matchy-matchy! (In a good way)
Can succulents GET any cooler? I snapped this shot in a garden in California a few years ago. I love how the peachy stems match the peachy wall, and how the cascading lotus vine (Lotus berthelotii...
READER PHOTO! A second season in a Utah garden
Way back on May 12th, I posted a photo from Sarah Post Lee (refresh your memory here) that showed her spring garden in St. George, Utah, that utilizes lots of winter-hardy annuals for early color...
READER PHOTOS! Time to leave the nest, kiddies...
Remember when I posted Pam Wittenberg's photos of the hummingbird nest she'd found and some shots of the babies, begging for food from their mother? Click here to refresh your memory. That was just a...
READER PHOTO! The cicadas are back....
Today's photo is from Susan Stork in Jefferson City, Missouri. She says, "The 13-year cicadas have invaded the mid-west and we hear their daily mating call, see the exo-skeletons on the trees and in...
Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog & eLetter!
Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a stunning plant combination, or any number of other subjects. Think of it as your morning jolt of green.Sign up to...
Veggie trellising ideas from Longwood Gardens
It's impossible to come away from a visit to Longwood Gardens without some serious inspiration. Check out these interesting ideas for trellising veggies with humble materials. Time to dig out...
From orange to purple
Let's move counterclockwise to the other side of the color wheel today and enjoy two purple combos with some of my all-time favorite plants. Photo #1: Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania. A...
Orange is a lovely distraction
If anything could distract from the awesome pruning job on the huge conical shrub on the upper terrace of this scene at Longwood Gardens, it would be the shocking orange of this azalea. Wow! I'm not...
Repetition is the key to happiness
Even just one of these containers is dreamy (1st photo). But a dozen of them (2nd photo)? Stunning! These photos were taken at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square...
Is the coast clear?!
Please indulge me while I personify this plant I came across on my walk home from the coffeehouse with my family last weekend. To me, it looks like she was being chased, and is hiding around a...
Winterthur primroses
My trip to Pennsylvania and Delaware a couple of weeks ago coincided with the peak bloom of the candelabra-type primroses. Here's an amazing display of them at the quarry garden at Winterthur in...
Still in Bali...and loving it!
Yesterday just wasn't enough of Michelle Derviss' awesome garden, so today we view it from another angle. Here's what Michelle had to say about this little tableau: "In 2006 I traveled to Bali with a...
A little slice of Bali in California
Today's photos take us to Michelle Derviss' back yard in her garden in Novato, California. I visited her a couple of years ago, and was captivated by this relaxing yet exciting space. I asked her to...
READER PHOTOS! More baby hummingbirds
More great photos from Pam Wittenberg in Santa Rosa, California, today. Of these, she says, "I was down near the creek in our backyard pulling dead twigs and branches down when I got divebombed by an...
READER PHOTOS! A startling visitor
Today's photos are from Pam Wittenberg in Santa Rosa, California. She says, "My husband found this caterpillar hanging out on the backside of a piece of discarded lumber in our side yard. I moved it...
Pondside at the Morris Arboretum
Some peaceful scenes by the pond from our visit to the Morris Arboretum last week. Enjoy your weekend! Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of...
Gingers that every gardener should grow
Our trip to Pennsylvania last week coincided perfectly with the rhododendron and the primrose blooms, which were stunning, but I was equally impressed with the gingers. It's still early days out...
Frogs from another dimension
When you first glance at these photos of some frogs at the Tyler Arboretum outside Philadelphia, you might not think there's anything out of the ordinary, but look again... Their eyes are level with...
A home fit for a gnome
The Tyler Arboretum's Magical Habitats exhibition, which officially opens on Saturday, promises to be enchanting. When our assistant art director, Steven Cominsky, and I visited last week, a few...
EEK, a snake!!
I stumbled upon this little snake in the vegetable garden at the Tyler Arboretum last week. So clever! Stay tuned for more from the Tyler Arboretum tomorrow. They have a Magical Habitats exhibition...
A tree's root system revealed
I've often wondered, when admiring a tree, what its root system looks like. The Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia found an interesting way to illustrate the breadth of a tree's root system: they...
Everything's bigger at Longwood
The rex begonia vine (Cissus discolor, USDA Hardiness Zone 11) is one of the greatest vines you can add to your shady containers. I usually grow it in its own small pot on a homemade bamboo tuteur...
From eyesore to eye-catching
Several years ago my neighbors and friends Laura and Bruce had an absolutely MONSTER dead tree taken down in their back yard at the end of their driveway. Seriously, this thing was huge...
A not-so-humble hell strip
I pass the picturesque Bridgewater Village Store every day on my way to work, and over the years, I've been enthralled by their tiny little hell strip. Every season sees a new, striking design. This...
READER PHOTOS! Light and shadow
Today's photos are from Carol Thompson in Charlotte, North Carolina. She says, "I took these pictures late one spring afternoon in my garden. With the sun backlighting several of the plants, it...
Slideshow: A Self-Sown Garden
In midsummer, Dean Riddle's garden in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York is in splendid form and composed largely of self-sowing plants. Take a slideshow tour and enjoy the views.
READER PHOTO! A hunter's unique camouflage
They say that pets often begin to look like their owners, but in this case, the pet is beginning to look like its owner's garden! Elizabeth Healy of Danbury, Connecticut (Liz is the copy editor...
READER PHOTO! Blooms in the desert
Today's photo is from Sara Post Lee in St. George, Utah. She says, "I live in the Utah desert not far from Las Vegas, with an annual rainfall of only 8 inches. Learning to garden here after a...
READER PHOTOS! Succulents and water gardens in California containers
One last day of photos from Guida Quon's garden in Santa Ana, California. Today, check out Guida's impressive collection of succulents, as well as the opposite side of the containergardening...
READER PHOTOS! Dripping with atmosphere
Day 2 of Guida Quon's garden in Santa Ana, California! Check out Guida's amazing sitting area festooned with Spanish moss. It's like something out of a fairy tale. Stay tuned for more photos of...
Container Shootout: Vote for Your Favorite
Which container do you like better, Steve's or Michelle's?
READER PHOTOS! The coolest vintage garden tool ever!
Over the past few months, avid gardener Guida Quon from Santa Ana, California, has sent me several photos of her garden, and I'm more and more intriqued with every email that arrives in my inbox...
READER PHOTO! The original robin's egg blue
Today's photo is from Dorothy Kerr. She says, "This is spring at its best. Mother robin's eggs in a weeping mulberry tree in Central Ohio." Beautiful, Dorothy! Thanks for capturing this. Welcome to...
We're gardeners, too!
I get asked all the time whether the FG staffers are actually gardeners or even have gardens. Luckily, the answer is YES! For proof, check out these containers created by our very own art director...
READER PHOTOS! Dr. Seuss would be a fan of this plant...
Today's photo takes us, yet again, to Jan Meissner's garden in Avon, Ohio. Today she says, "Weeping threadleaf arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Filiformis', USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7) seems like a...
READER PHOTO! Hens and chicks in a cage
Today's photo is from Jan Meissner in Avon, Ohio. She says, "Antique bird cages make great planters for succulents. This cage sits out all year long, (for 2 winters so far) and the only upkeep is a...
READER PHOTOS! Containers by Cherry Ong
Today's photos are from Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia. She says, "Just shortly prior to reading your blog post entitled "Can I top this?" I was looking at pictures of my past containers...
A handsome basil for the annual border
Here's another cool plant at the University of Tennessee Research Center in Jackson. It's a basil with highly ruffled, crinkled leaves (Ocimum basilicum 'Green Ruffles', annual). Compared to the...
Behold the giant milkweed!
I ran into this plant (well, not literally...) at the University of Tennessee Research Center in Jackson a few years ago. I immediately thought it was a beefy asclepias. Close, but not quite! Its...
Watering cans as garden ornaments
Here are two charming ways to display collections of vintage watering cans. The first is from Sabrina and Freeland Tanner's garden in Napa, California. The second was taken in a garden in...
Can I top this?
I'm starting to pull my containers out of the shed and place them around my patio, and I'm dreaming up new plant combos every day. It's almost time to plant them up, and like every spring, Im...
Boots and begonias
A back-stoop vignette in a garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a...
Pansies at Filoli
Whenever I think I'm bored with pansies, and won't buy any this year, I look at this photo and start looking for my wallet and car keys. This was taken a few years ago in the springtime at Filoli in...
Succulents in North Carolina
The last time I visited North Carolina, I was consumed by succulents. Between Plant Delights Nursery and the JC Raulston Arboretum, I was in heaven! Here are some shots of my favorites. Welcome to...
Red & white in the herb garden
A striking combo of corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas, annual) and ajowan (Carum copticum, annual). This photo was taken at Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, New York. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN...
READER PHOTOS! Woolly thyme like tumbling water
Today's photos are from Jan Meissner in Avon, Ohio. She says, "I love the way my woolly creeping thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus, USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9) flows into my dry creek bed like water...
Dreamy garden ornaments you can BUY!
I visited Bedrock Gardens, Jill Nooney's garden in Lee, New Hampshire, last year and fell in love with these gem stems. They're made from glass deck prisms, and look amazing in Jills...
One last wacky hosta
Let's wrap up this week's hosta theme with one more from the Thyrums. This one is called 'Praying Hands', and for the life of me, I can't figure out why (any ideas?). But it's cool! Those twisty...
A classic hosta complements a garden ornament
Out of all the hundreds and hundreds of hosta varieties in the world, only a few keep popping up over and over because they're timeless stunners. 'June' is one of those hostas. You can see why...
An itty bitty, irresistible hosta
There's a whole world of tiny hostas out there that are just starting to get the attention they deserve. They all seem to have such cute names, like 'Bitsy Gold', 'Corkscrew', 'Popo', 'Tiny Tears...
Another gorgeous hosta
Yesterday's hosta was tops for glamour, but today's, also in Eve and Per Thyrum's garden in Wilmington, Delaware, is incredibly satisfying, too. This one is neat, tidy, and oh-so-pretty in a...
The most beautiful hosta in the world
OK, so you might disagree, but I think this hosta (the one next to the azalea), in Eve and Per Thyrum's front yard in Wilmington, Delaware, is the most gorgeous hosta I've ever seen. It's called...
Bring the indoors outside
Are you busy planning your container designs for the season? Try bringing some traditional houseplants out into the light. This is a rubber plant (Ficus elastica cv.) I bought cheap at Home Depot a...
A different perspective
The classic sunflower always seems to be photographed head on. But the way my garden is situated, this is what I see as I walk to my car each morning during the summer, since the sunflowers point...
Wisteria at Dumbarton Oaks
I don't think I've ever seen wisteria look as beautiful as it did at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. when I visited a few years ago. If you ever find yourself in D.C., go and visit this amazing...
At the top of my spring shopping list
I spotted this colewort at White Flower Farm's display gardens in Litchfield, Connecticut, a couple of years ago and fell madly in love. Colewort (Crambe cordifolia, USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9) grows...
READER PHOTO! Beautiful bark
After leaves and overall size and shape, bark seems to be the last thing people consider when choosing a tree, but maybe it should be the first! Kathy Maras in Glen Ellyn, Illinois sent in these...
READER PHOTO! A Gnomefest moment
Today's photo is from John Magee in Chantilly, Virginia. He says, "This was from our “Gnomefest 2006” party. Enjoy!" Thanks, John, for sharing your friends with us! They look like...
READER PHOTOS! Springtime ice
Today's photos are from Amy in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She says, "I really abhor the ice and hail this close to spring, but it melts quickly and I love the little icy prisons the plants become trapped...
Reflections at Chanticleer, revisited
Way back in January of 2010 I posted a photo from the ruins garden at Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania, but I just found a few more and thought you all might like to revisit this gorgeous setting...
Highlighting a gorgeous tree
I stumbled upon this little stairway vignette a few years ago on a garden tour hosted by Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis. I love how the white pots harmonize with the birch's bark, and how the...
READER PHOTO! Drumsticks and coneflowers
Today's photo is from Gregory Smaus in Seattle, Washington. He says, "Here is one of my favorite photos from my own garden. I like it because it shows the fun of repeating forms. The cones of...
A purple and white combo for full sun
Here's a great full-sun combo designed by my friend Rebecca Batchie for a garden in South Kent, Connecticut. I love how it's a subtle and cohesive mix of white/cream and purple. Here are the plants...
Take the time to see...
...the fleeting details. I was walking around the lake at Innisfree Garden in Millbrook, New York, a couple of summers ago with a bunch of gardening pals when we just happened to catch this ephemeral...
Creative tree-training?
There wasn't a gardener around to grill when I took this photo of a cutleaf japanese maple at Boscobel Restoration in Garrison, New York, a few years ago. I assume the trunk didn't grow this way on...
The jumbled peony
I love how, even in its tightly coiled state, this peony bud hints at the exuberance and crazy, unorganized extravagance that's to come. No symmetrical, mathematical order to this flower. At least...
In the mist
A misty morning scene at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Japanese garden in October. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a...
Another sweeping statement
Speaking of sweeps (see Friday's post), here's another inspired sweep of plants from Freeland and Sabrina Tanner in their garden in Napa, California. This time it's a border of lamb's ears Stachys...
Break out of your 'Aureola' rut
When most people think of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra cvs., USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9), they automatically think of the most popular and most commonly available cultivar 'Aureola'. But...
Mowing made easy
I love the idea of a wide edging of bricks or pavers along a perennial border. I looks neat and tidy, but it also cuts down on maintenance. No need to get out the edger or the weed-whacker here! This...
A planter box on steroids
Scott Endres, co-owner of Tangletown Gardens (one of the coolest nurseries EVER!) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, created this planting for the box on the porch of his St. Paul, Minnesota, home. Its...
A sultry plant combo at NYBG
I found this little combo a few years ago in the Lady's Border at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Red/burgundy is the theme here, and the star of the show is the architectural Oakhurst...
READER PHOTO! Spring blues
Today's photo is from Julie Witmer. She says, "This two-year-old combination is planted at "Gilmore Gardens", the name we have affectionately given to our small borough lot in western Pennsylvania...
READER PHOTO! Falling Snowflake, Cedar Waxwing
There is so much about this photo that I love. First, it was taken by one of my favorite gardeners, and a frequent commenter on the GPOD, Deanne Fortnam. Second, this cedar waxwing is GORGEOUS...
READER PHOTO! Spring reflection
I couldn't resist posting one last beautiful photo from Viktoria Mullin. I'm guessing the tree is a redbud (Cercis canadensis, USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9). Viktoria says, "This is a little spring...
READER PHOTOS! Springtime at Chanticleer
If you like's Viktoria Mullin's springtime photos from Longwood Gardens yesterday, you'll love her photos from Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania, today. Here's a taste of what we're all...
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READER PHOTOS! Springtime at Longwood
Today's photos are from Viktoria Mullin from Cromwell, Connecticut. She loves to visit Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania in the springtime, and wanted to share some photos she took there last spring...
READER PHOTO! An arch completes the garden
Today's photo is from Gail Gee in Fulton, Maryland. She says, "This area of my garden is planted in all cool colors-- pinks, blues, and silvers. The bed is heavily planted with...
A humble garden ornament
You might think this is a piece of driftwood that Barbara Weirich dragged up from the shores of Lake Michigan into her garden in Benton Harbor, Michigan. That's what I thought, but associate editor...
Formal with a touch of curves
Here's a beautiful, geometric bed designed by Deborah Silver near Detroit, Michigan. Deborah contructed the fountain out of galvanized, acid-washed steel. The formal garden that surrounds it...
High contrast
Here's a great plant combo from one of my favorite gardeners of all time, Sydney Eddison. Former Assistant Editor Kerry Ann Moore took this shot last summer while strolling around her...
Monkey puzzle!
Monkey puzzle TREE, that is. This is one fascinating tree. The monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana, USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11) is native to Chile and Argentina (the Andes, more specifically), and can...
The Midas touch
Here's an exciting scene from a garden in Oakland, California. I love how the gold pedestal really makes this corner of the garden pop. The trunks of the bananas are like columns in a room, and the...
Garden in Winter photo contest WINNER!
Today's photo is the overall winner of the Garden in Winter photo contest! It's from finegardening.com member pennylph, a.k.a. Lynette Hall from Carmichael, California, who says, "I enjoy the...
Garden in Winter 1st runner-up! Dreaming of Summer
Today's photo, our 1st runner-up in the Garden in Winter photo contest, is from finegardening.com member gottagarden, who says, "Although the garden is buried under at least a foot of snow...
Garden in Winter 2nd runner-up! Winter Grasses
Today's photo, our 2nd runner-up in the Garden in Winter photo contest, is from finegardening.com member Janek15, who says, "These 'Karl Foerster' grasses are the perfect plant for Colorado winter...
Garden in Winter 3rd runner-up! Fairy in the Snow
Today's photo, our 3th runner-up in the Garden in Winter photo contest, is from finegardening.com member Wife_Mother_Gardener, who says, "When the first snows fall, I grab my camera and capture the...
ALL WEEK: Garden in Winter Photo Contest, finalists and winner!
Even while a garden is sleeping, it has joy to share, even though you might have to look a little harder to find it. Back in December, we asked our website visitors to show us the best of their...
READER PHOTO! A memorial garden in Virginia
Today's photo is from Eben Richards in Orange, Virginia. Eben says, "I am an 80 year old who now lives in Orange, Virginia, having moved from Mclean, Virginia, a bit over six years ago. I was at an...
READER PHOTO! Summer abundance in a Minnesota garden
Today's photo is from Tricia Frostad in Chanhassen, Minnesota. She says, "My garden was planted about 8 years ago and it’s amazing how it’s all filled in so nicely and that everything...
A big combo of diverse plants
Here's another combo in our series from NYC's Conservatory Garden in Central Park. I love the subtlety of this combo, and also how different all of the plants are. First you've got a couple of...
Out-of-the-ordinary texture and color
This is one of my absolute favorite combos from NYC's Central Park Conservatory Garden. I love how the flowers of the fennel (hmmm. Is it fennel? Dill? You tell me...) wave in the breeze and act...
Hot tropicals!
OK, let's kick off a few days of combos from Central Park's Conservatory Garden in New York City with this stunner. I'm guessing on a few of the plant names this week, so chime in if you can ID...
Serenity in Central Park
Here's a serene scene from the Conservatory Garden in NYC's Central Park. This is a preview to next week, when I'll be featuring a few plant combos from the spectacularly talented designers there...
A cute little annual combo
Here's a charming little duo of annuals that'd be super-easy to recreate. It's simply cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus cvs.) and gomphrena (Gomphrena cvs.), both easy to either start from seed or buy in the...
How aggressive IS it?
Here's a gorgeous sweep of houttuynia at Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, New York. I fell in love with this plant then and there, and I think it's beautiful, but every time we feature houttuynia...
Pushing a container over the top with simple materials
I discovered these awesome containers while touring a garden in Michigan several years ago. Sure, the plantings are nice, but what really makes these containers awesome is the towers, made simply of...
A perfect match
I took today's photo while touring some gardens last spring with Rebecca Sweet in Los Altos Hills, California. Since she's worked and designed in this garden, I thought I'd let her describe this...
Containers by Deanne Fortnam, Part 4
One last day of awesome containers from Deanne Fortnam! This is one of my personal favorites. Deanne says, "This is another arrangement from my container border. It uses the pizzazz of the...
Containers by Deanne Fortnam, Part 3
Here's yet another great container design from Deanne Fortnam in New Hampshire. Believe me, she's got dozens more! Of this one she says, "This medley of container plantings is part of a 35footlong...
Containers by Deanne Fortnam, Part 2
Here is the second in our series of four awesome container designs by New Hampshire gardener Deanne Fortnam. Here's what she says about this masterpiece: "This arrangement features from the top in...
Containers by Deanne Fortnam, Part 1
Yesterday's mailbox planting designed by Deanne Fortnam was such a hit that Deanne and I decided we should share some of her containers for the rest of this week. We'll start today with one of...
Wow the mailman!
Deanne Fortnam is one of my favorite container gardeners. Her exuberant style and keen sense for color result in some of the most stunning container designs I've ever seen. She even wrote an article...
Are your plants superhydrophobic?
I think I could spend hours playing with water on lotus leaves. I'm too young to have memories of playing with drops of mercury, but I imagine the effect is similar, right? I went online to see what...
Morning glories in the afternoon
One last shot from Charleston, and then I'm done, I promise. I adore this gateway. The humble morning glory makes quite an impact here, eh? The palms and tropicals that embrace the gate add to the...
There's always room for a garden
Continuing on in the Charleston theme (there seems to be no end to the great garden ideas from my tour there several years ago), here's a photo of the front entryway to a stately Charleston home...
Another Charleston garden scene
Here's a shot from another Charleston garden. I love how this gardener has mixed the tropical exuberance of the elephant ear with the formality of the clipped hedge. Perhaps this is more common...
Keeping cool in a Charleston courtyard
Even in October, Charleston's gardens are still kicking. This was taken a few years ago. It was still pretty darned warm in South Carolina that October, but this garden felt cool and inviting. That...
Remember what spring feels like?
Well this is what it looks like! I took this photo at a local private school in my town last May 1st. I remember what the air felt like. Unfamiliarly balmy, palpably misty, and amazing! It was like...
READER PHOTO! Winter asparagus
Today's winter-themed photo is from Victoria Coates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She says, "I have been amazed by the ongoing beauty of this asparagus fern. It had a hearty run this...
READER PHOTO! Grasses & a hay bale table
One last photo from Philip Leveridge in Austin, Texas. I fell in love with his hay bale garden table. He says, "These grasses lie between a couple of hidden galvanized steel stock tank pools. I...
READER PHOTO! Busy bee
Today we have another photo from East Side Patch, the garden of Philip Leveridge in Austin, Texas. He says, "I have a bunch of mist flowers in the Patch and when they bloom they are magnets for all...
READER PHOTO! Touchable texture and contrast from two great plants
Today's photo is from Philip Leveridge in Austin, Texas. Philip is a garden designer, and his home garden is called East Side Patch. Of this picture, he says, "I like combining contrasting...
READER PHOTO! Milkweed seeds
Todays photos come from Jenny Koester in Cincinnati, Ohio. She says, "I took these milkweed photos in September 2010 in Ault Park in Cincinnati. Ault Park has gorgeous garden designed and maintained...
READER PHOTO! Curved terrace stairs tame a slope
Today's photos come from Jan Johnsen, who also contributed yesterday's post. Jan is a garden designer from Mount Kisco, New York. Today she says... Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new...
READER PHOTO! A blue gate that's irresistible to visitors
Today's photo is from Jan Johnsen, a garden designer in Mount Kisco, New York. She says, "Who doesn’t love the mystery of a blue gate? This is the main entry to a spiral vegetable garden that I...
Kicking off year #2 of the GPOD!
It was a year ago today that we started up the Garden Photo of the Day blog. Since then we've posted over 450 inspiring garden photos, many of which came from you, our GPOD readers! I took a few...
READER PHOTOS! Wildlife in a California garden
A couple of weeks ago, I asked you to send in photos of wildlife in your garden, and Pam Wittenberg from Santa Rosa, California, had a bunch to share! She says, "Here are some pics of the wildlife in...
The Garden in Winter, Day #5
A rare dusting of snow in Dallas turns an angel into... a snow angel, of course. Today's photo is from Joanne Pospisil in Carrollton, Texas. She said, "It rarely snows in Dallas, Texas, but when it does ...... it's magical!!"
The Garden in Winter, Day #4
Surreal? The alchemy of frost and snow turns ordinary plants into something altogether mesmerizing. Today's photo is another photo from Mike Lane in Victoria, B.C. He said, "There's beauty to be found in the garden, even in winter. This cabbage looked so beautiful after a frost that I...
The Garden in Winter, Day #3
Today's photo has the feel of a 19th-century postcard: soft-edged and restrained. It's another winner from last year's winter garden photography contest, and it's from Dennis Kruse in Virginia. He said, "Gardening is my wife’s passion, but I have become caught up in her enthusiasm. I enjoy photographing the flowers that she tends. While visiting France in 2008, we toured gardens in Loire and Provence. We fell in love with the garden pergolas we saw at various hotels and gardens. We wanted...
The Garden in Winter, Day #2
In a frozen landscape, color is a rare treat. Even shriveled with cold, this forgotten fruit lifts the spirits. Today's photo was another winner from last year's winter garden photography contest, and it's from Mike Lane in Victoria, B.C. He said, "I'm a retired forester who has always been passionate about the outdoors, so my love of gardening flows from that. My garden here in Victoria, BC is in Zone 8 and averages 287 frost free days a year. Growing English roses has been my specialty for some years, however my love of photography has caused me to begin making changes in the garden. Now I'm planting more varieties that photograph...
Garden in Winter photo contest!
The new Garden in Winter photo contest is now on in our online photo gallery! Check out the details here. We started this tradition last year, when we asked our readers to send us photos of the...
READER PHOTO! Now that's some wildlife
In response to Monday's post (Feed the birds), Denise Dyko of Millbrook, New York, sent in these photos of some wildlife in her garden. She says, "If you provide enough of a feast for the birds, you...
There must be a word for this
What is it called when a plant has three different leaf shapes at once? I can't figure it out, but that's what going on with sassafras (Sassafras albidum, USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8). Sassafras is an...
A perfect pairing...
...of plant and hardscape. Could this combo get any better? The stems of the Black Lace elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Eva', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7) match the rusty fencing perfectly, and their...
Feed the birds
I took this photo at a children's garden in Raleigh, North Carolina, last fall. This drooping, end-of-the-season sunflower personified how I felt after a long, tough gardening season, and then a few...
READER PHOTO! A water-wise entryway garden in Denver
Today's photo is from Sheila Schultz in Denver, Colorado. She says, "What do you do with a tiny front yard in Denver with zero visual interest? I created a rock garden with a winding...
An unusual English ivy
Ever gone online and seen the selection of English ivies that are for sale these days? It's mindblowing! They come in all shapes and sizes, and in a multitude of shades. But this little ivy has...
Slideshow: Details Make the Difference
Tour the California garden of Sabrina and Freeland Tanner, whose attention to detail takes gardening to another level.
Rock on!
Check out this little combo from the Cotton-Arbo retum in Winchester, Massachusetts, in which a gorgeous chunk of pink quartz is framed by a beautiful stand of 'Chequers' deadnettle (Lamium maculatum 'Chequers', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8). Dreamy!
A wonderful lawn-to-woodland transition
I love this layered planting on the edge of the woods at Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, New York. A small hosta along the front edge gives way to a swath of extravagently blooming rodgersias next...
READER PHOTO! A lawn of thyme
Today's photos are from Roberta Smith in Cologne, Minnesota. She says, "I have a lot of shrub roses in my front yard. In June when they are all blooming it is quite a sight to see with all the...
Ah, the passionflower...
What's more freakish and fabulous than a passionflower bloom? They come in a bizillion colors and sizes, bloom all summer, and if you live in a warm enough climate, might even give you something to...
READER PHOTO! Mystery flowers
When Mary Palmer from near Monroe, Washington, sent in this photo a couple of days ago, I had an inkling of what these gardening ornaments were, and I begged her to tell me I was right...
READER PHOTOS! Fairy gardens in the land of...Washington
Today's photos are from Patti Sherwood in Kalama, Washington. She says, "This was the first of several fairy gardens that my granddaughters and I have created. I've become a bit...
Use chairs as a canvas for eye-popping color!
In this Michigan garden, the designer didn't stop with just one paint color when dressing up his patio chairs. He went all out with colorful plaids and polka dots! Paired with pots of a happy jumble...
You must pass the creatures of the pool to get cool...
In Laura Crockett's garden in Oregon, foam pool noodles lend a playful alien flair to the clumps of miscanthus at the entrance to her kids' pool. Some curlicue metal antennae complete to poufball...
READER PHOTO! Lemonade from lemons
Today's post is from Katherine Davis. She says, "I had an old oak that had to come down but I thought it would be nice to save part of the trunk and do something "FUN" with it. I now have a tree chair that everyone loves to sit in."
Paint the garden red! Or green...or blue...
Got a dead tree nagging you? An old broken bike hanging around the shed? A junk pile waiting for a trip to the dump? Marry one of those things with a can of brightly colored spraypaint, and youve...
READER PHOTO! Jumbo caterpillar
Here's another fun photo from Mary Sherwood of Littleton, North Carolina. It's a shot from the children's garden at New York Botanical Garden. Mary says, "I liked this garden topiary because of the...
READER PHOTOS! More fun from NYBG
Mary Sherwood from Littleton, North Carolina, was inpired by yesterday's post to send in these photos of the Chihuly exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in 2006. Beautiful--thanks, Mary! Well...
A whole week of garden FUN!!
This week I'd like to focus on having some FUN in the garden!! We're talking wild and whimsical here, folks. Let's kick it off today with a shot from a few years ago at the entrance to the childrens...
Levels of laciness
Today's combo is pushing the limits of the evergreen/herbaceous theme we've been on this week, but hellebores are evergreen, right?! Anyway, this lacy combo of wonderful textures designed by Mindy...
Silver and gold...
Today's combo from the Cotton-Arbo retum includes dwarf golden Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8) and masterwort (Astrantia major, Zones 4-8). It's a...
An understated combo of evergreens and perennial foliage
Today's combo, also by Mindy Arbo, combines two very different evergreens with the dark, dusky foliage of a popular perennial. It includes 'Yellow Ribbon' arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis Yellow...
Dramatic contrast
Deep purple combined with gold and white makes for some high drama in this combo by Mindy Arbo. Today's combo includes 'Gold Lace' juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Gold Lace', USDA Hardiness Zones 39...
Let a clematis scramble
Mindy Arbo, who gardens at the Cotton-Arbo retum, her private-turned-public garden in Winchester, Massachusetts, is a master at mixing evergreens with herbaceous plants. Doesn't sound that...
READER PHOTO! Another great native groundcover
Today's photo, wrapping up this week's groundcover theme, is from Veronica Guyre in Lyme, New Hamphire. She says, "This stand of bunchberry (Cornus canadensis, USDA Hardiness Zones 27nbspis...
Even baby plants need to be seen!
More groundcovers! In Liz Niebling's garden in Exeter, New Hampshire, a swath of vinca is the perfect canvas for this vase-shaped hosta. A young hosta like this can be easily lost, visually, in a...
Serious Gifts for Serious Gardeners
Ideas that will delight the plant lovers on your holiday shopping list
READER PHOTO! An unexpected groundcover
Continuing in the groundcover theme, today's photos are from Jane Horn in Prior Lake, Minnesota. She says, "I love using jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum cv., annual) as a ground cover. I...
Go native!
As promised, here's the native alternative to the ubiquitous Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis, USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8). It's Alleghany spurge (Pachysandra procumbens, Zones 5-9)! It has...
Variegation turns boring to glam!
Why, oh why don't more gardeners plant variegated pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis 'Variegata', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8)? It's so much more interesting than the plain Jane unvariegated sort. Is...
Not an ordinary clematis
OK, so I don't think you could call any clematis ordinary. As a whole, they're amazingly beautiul flowers that never fail to draw attention. But there are lots of clematis varieties out there that...
Pink on pink
In the horticulture gardens at Michigan State University, bee balm (Monarda didyma cv., USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9) mingles with mallow (Lavatera cachemiriana, Zones 4-9) by a powder blue post. It's a...
Pink and burgundy for fall?
This autumnal combo of pinks and burgundies in the garden at the Radiology Department at Michigan State University in East Lansing includes Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra', USDA...
Morning glories to end the season
Driving down my street over the weekend, I was surprised to see these morning glories still going strong on a neighbor's porch! Such an unusual color for fall, except for the gorgeous blue...
More of a good thing
Jack Hyland and Larry Wente created a stunning sight with this small field of tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis, USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11) in their garden in Millerton, New York. We like...
Succulents in cold climates--yes you can!
Today's photo is from Mary Yee in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in response to all those California succulents we've been seeing this week. She says, "While I love seeing photos of gardens in other places...
READER PHOTOS! A gem of a succulent garden
Todays photos, continuing in the succulent theme of the week, are from Jane Johnson in Laguna Hills, California. She says, "Sherman Library & Gardens was founded in 1980 in Corona del Mar...
Frightful soil for a frightful Halloween!
It’s a wonder I ever got into gardening. This is what the soil looked like where I grew up in southwestern Virginia. Bright red clay. Hard as a rock when dry, sink-up-to-your-ankles squishy...
Mix it up with succulents!
Succulents mix with more traditional perennials and shrubs in Sabrina and Freeland Tanner's garden in Napa, California. Here, agaves are paired with a 'Red Dragon' persicaria Persicaria...
READER PHOTO! Ditch the flowers & grow succulents
Inspired by yesterday's post, Debra Lee Baldwin sent in this smaller example of succulents in action. This time, as a replacement for a tabletop flower arrangement. She says, "This floralstyle...
Running out of room for plants?
Start looking to the walls! This is the famous living wall at Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco. Believe it or not, it's even better in person. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE...
A simple garden screen idea
Every once in a while, I stumble upon something in a garden that I have to document and file away in my folder of "stuff to do one day in my garden." Several years ago I spotted this series of simple...
Herbs in pots are simple and stunning
From the same garden as yesterday, outside Detroit, Michigan, this little tableau proves that you don't need fancy plants or crazy combinations to create a pleasing container combo. This features...
Look again!
Here's a grand example of using a mirror to expand the visual space in a garden. In this version, however, a large, wall-sized mirror almost fools you into thinking the garden keeps going, when in...
Off-roading in miniature
Laura Crockett's garden in Oregon is a horticultural playground. There are playful details at every turn, and this is no exception. It's a miniature landscape made from a rock garden plant and a...
Even their wheelbarrows are beautiful!
This shot was taken a few years ago in the gardens at Filoli in Woodside, California. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great...
A garden in the treetops
I took a tour of Charleston, South Carolina, gardens several years ago, and amidst all the gorgeous, timeless gardens I saw, this scene may have captivated me most. It brings to mind warm...
READER PHOTO! Plant them and they will come...
Today's photo is from Marc Opperman in Austin, Texas. He says, "I have a yard of mixed Central Texas native wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses, as well as an ever-increasing set of vegetable beds. And...
A stunning, underused native plant
I wish I wasn't so surprised every time I happen upon this plant in a garden. Problem is, it doesn't happen very often. Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica, USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9) is native to the...
A perfect marriage of plant and pot
Here's an example of the perfect plant for a pot. This agave's shape is the perfect mirror image of the pot it lives in, making for a perfectly balanced composition. This matchup was orchestrated by...
Can you spot the flowers?
Neither can I, because there are none! Well, they're there, but we just can't see them. Annual clary sage (Salvia viridis and cvs.) is such a cool plant. The colorful splash you see isn't its...
A successful experiment
Three years ago, Sydney Eddison decided to try something new in her Newtown, Connecticut garden: a sedum hedge. She planted a long row of 'Autumn Joy' sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Zones 3-9) against a...
READER PHOTO! Small lot, BIG garden!
Today's photos are from garden designer Todd Holloway's private garden in Vancouver, B.C. He says, "This patio area was pieced together over a couple of months with granite stones found in...
READER PHOTO! A combo for dry areas
Today's photo is from Veronica Guyre. She says, "I garden in a cold Zone 4 microclimate at the base of a hill in Lyme, New Hampshire. All of my garden areas are quick draining due to an under layer...
Jenny covers ground!
I seem to remember someone warning me years ago that if I planted golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8) in the ground, I'd never get rid of it. I ignored...
READER PHOTO! From one pack of seeds...
Today's photo is from Nancy Lutts in Salem, Massachusetts. She created this vision with just one packet of foxglove seeds. She sowed them in spring and nurtured them patiently, with plenty of...
A colorful hardscape accent that steals the show
The interesting thing about these mosaic-ed stair risers in Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson's garden in Oakland, California, is that you don't get to see them unless you explore the whole garden and then...
Mixing succulents and herbaceous perennials
Succulents are all the rage these days, but most often we see them clustered togther in pots or arranged in vignettes with each other. But it's worth trying to combine them wth more traditional...
It's all in the details
Sometimes it's the quirky little details that make a garden memorable. In Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson's garden in Oakland, California, a colorful little plastic lizard peeks out from behind a group of...
A meaningful place to rest
This blue bench is a place to rest and reflect in the garden of Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson in Oakland, California, and it was featured in an essay, My Sanctuary, that Randy wrote for the...
A dreamy place for a nap
Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson have a multi-purpose garden, with places to bathe, cook, eat, entertain, grow vegetables, and even sleep! They created this spectaular nook for that purpose. How dreamy...
Clean and crisp
In this combo at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York, the white midribs of the dinosaur kale (Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato', annual) are echoed by the blooms of both the Diamond Frost...
It's hypnotizing...
You're getting very sleeeeeepy..... I could get lost in the spiral of this plant's leaves. Today's photo is just a pure beauty shot of an aeonium (Aeonium arboreum cv., USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11). Go...
Another gazing globe done right
In the never-ending war against gazing globes (awful or awesome?), here's an example of one done right. Dan Johnson popped one on top of a handsome pot to reflect his patio in his garden in Denver...
This plant's future is in your hands...
How many couples do you know that have arguments over plants? Well. you can help resolve this one. Eric and Danielle Wotzak have been renovating this fantastic house in Northport, New York, for the...
A peculiar pairing of peachy plants
Who'd have thought that sneezeweed (Helenium cv., USDA Hardiness Zones ) and nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus cv., annual) could look so good together? Apparently, the folks up at Campo de' Fiori in...
Just one more cup of tea, please...
Yesterday's photo from the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco was pretty popular, so I thought I'd share just a few more shots from this amazing place today. Enjoy, and...
A sublime spot for a cup of tea
A tranquil scene from the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a...
Who needs hostas??
Why spend all that money on gourmet hostas when you can just go down to the local garden center and buy a 6-pack of cabbage or kale? Seriously, though, great hostas are expensive. While you build...
Bed of nails is a piece of cake
No, it's not a carnival side show act, it's just one awesome plant. Bed of nails, also known as Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense, annual), is a fuzzy-leaved tomato relative that brandishes wicked purple...
Can you spot the butterfly?
This fetching combo was designed by Dean Engelmann in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Can you find the butterfly amongst this riot of jewel-like colors? The plants here include coleus Solenostemon...
Another great Smithsonian combo
Check out this combo of tender plants at the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden in Washington, D.C. While the plants' forms are bold, their textures and colors are soft and soothing. Included are foxtail...
READER PHOTO! The babies have grown up
A few weeks ago, Pam Wittenberg of Santa Rosa, California, shared photos of the baby katydids in her garden. They were tiny and adorable. Now they're all grown up, and Pam says that they still like...
African mask shakes up a classic pot
Here's an example of the awesome African mask we featured yesterday (Alocasia sanderiana, USDA Hardiness Zone 11) planted in a container. It's joined in this edgy combo by a couple of bluegreen...
Is there a dinosaur nearby?
It doesn't get much more prehistoric-looking than this foliage. African mask (OK, maybe we should have gone with a different theme!) is a striking foliage plant for containers and tropicalesque...
Blurring the boundary
Nope, we're not done with Scott Endres quite yet! Today, check out how he eased the transition between the stepping stone path in his side garden to the concrete path leading to the sidewalk. Instead...
A spectacular combo at ground level
This jazzy little plant combo is situated along a stepping stone path in the side garden of Scott Endres in St. Paul, Minnesota. The plants here include 'Burgundy Glow' bugleweed (Ajuga reptans...
Green and even more green
Here's another set of photos that illustrate that the color green can be exciting enough all on its own in a container. All of these containers were designed by, yet again, Scott Endres in St. Paul...
Green is enough!
It's amazing what you can do with just the color green. In this grouping of containers designed by Scott Endres in St. Paul, Minnesota, the only other color you'll find is a small dash of orange...
Spice up containers with more than just plants
Along with being a master at combining plants (see yesterday's post), Minnesota garden designer Scott Endres also knows his way around a container, as you'll see in the next three days. In todays...
What to do with blue?
When it comes to blue foliage, I have a garden mental block. I just can't seem to figure out what to put it with. But Scott Endres in St. Paul, Minnesota, sure knows what to do. If these combos are...
A dramatic container combo
Steely blue, bronze, and deep purple make for a dramatic mix in this container combo designed by Miyako Kinoshita in New Milford, Connecticut. The plants in this combo include 'Sweet Caroline Bronze...
Which one of these plants is not like the others?
Can you spot the plant that doesn't belong? A sprig of 'Pink Frost' sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Pink Frost', USDA Hardiness Zone 11) fits right in with this patch of 'Burgundy Glow' variegated bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', Zones 3-9). It's ...
A happy jumble
When the words "cottage garden" come to mind, this is the kind of planting I picture in my mind. This is a mix of yellow and orange cosmos, red and pink zinnias, and purple tall verbena Verbena...
Subtle differences can be just enough
Here's an example of a combo that shouldn't work, but does. All of these plants have quite similar textures and colors, but when you put them together, instead of creating a chaotic mishmash, they...
From humble materials...
A couple of weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of touring Bedrock Gardens in Lee, New Hampshire, with one of its creators, Jill Nooney. Jill's an amazing sculptor and garden designer. Among the many...
Tropical fever
Furcraea (Furcraea foedita 'Mediopicta', USDA Hardiness Zone 11) is the focal point in this combo at the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. It's backed up...
Reaching for the sky
OK, so this garden might not be intentional, but isn't it spectacular? This ambitious plant was spotted on a riverside building in Newburgh, New York. Just think about how far water has to travel to...
Gazing balls have a place in gardens...
Some gardeners think that gazing balls are tacky. I tend to think it depends on the base you put it on (or not at all.) At the Enid A. Haupt Garden of the Smithsonian Institue in...
A waterfall of foliage
At the Enid A. Haupt Garden of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., 'Silver Falls' dichondra (Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls', USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11) spills over a wall, creating a...
A simple tuteur for annual vines
If you'd like to add a bit of last-minute verticality to a garden bed, try making this simple tuteur for an annual vine. Choose a spot, collect a bundle of bamboo stakes, and loosely press them into...
Birdhouses are a pop of color in borders
Colorful birdhouses are striking focal points in addition to homes for the local birds in this mixed border at the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington...
Milk glass lights up the garden
Sure, you could spend buckets of money on fancy lanterns for your garden. Or you could drive on down to the local thrift store and pick up a few milk glass vases and teacups for a couple dollars...
An ode to copper
Copper is the name of the game in this little vignette designed by Beth Giebel in New Milford, Connecticut. In it, she combines a ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius cv., Zones 3-7), a sneezeweed...
Foliage like dinosaur feathers!
This variegated version of mountain thistle (Acanthus montabus 'Frieling's Sensation', Zones 7-11) was dicovered by Ohio nursery Glasshouse Works in the early 1980s, and it's just as...
A funky chair-turned-planter
A metal chair without a seat is a perfect opportuniy to make a creative statement in a garden. Give it a vivid coat of paint, build a simple planter box to fit the frame, and plant it up with...
A book-matched set
These subtle and intriguing beds were designed by Rebecca Batchie for a garden in Kent, Connecticut, and punctuate the ends of two long mixed borders. They add continuity to this garden and their...
READER PHOTO! Cute as a button
Today's photo is from Pam Wittenberg in Santa Rosa, California. She says, "It's baby katydid season in our garden, and we've been finding them hiding out everywhere." Adorable. Thanks, Pam, for...
Historic grandeur
Today's photo is of a fountain in the North Garden at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol, Rhode Island. It has a timeless beauty that's hard to ignore. Kris Green...
Nicotine & castor oil
Call me crazy, but that's what comes to mind when I see this beautiful combo from the display gardens at Blithewold Mansion & Gardens in Bristol, Rhode Island. The pink flowering tobacco...
Black & blue isn't always painful
Today's photo was taken in the garden of Kristin Green in Bristol, Rhode Island. I was walking around her charming, in-town garden recently when I rounded the far corner of the house and was floored...
READER PHOTO! All the joys of a garden, on a deck
Today's photo is from Miriam Settles in northern Virginia. She says, "I started a container garden about 8 years ago because I don’t have much land around our townhouse for flower beds, but I...
READER PHOTO! A happy accident in hypertufa
Today's photo is from Michael Larkin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He says, "This container was handmade using hypertufa. I have made lots of hypertufa containers, but this is by far one of the...
READER PHOTO! 'Star Gazer' & 'Blaze'
Today's photo is from Grace Peterson in western Oregon. She says, "This is a photo I took last year of a 'Star Gazer' oriental lily (Lilium 'Star Gazer', USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8)peeking our from the...
A garden gate fit for a....gardener!
Freeland Tanner created this gate from garden tools to welcome visitors to his enclosed vegetable garden. Freeland's collections of garden tools can be seen all over the garden he shares with his...
Moon window
Rather than a moon gate, this garden feature at Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, New York, is more of a moon window, offering a glimpse into the formal flower garden beyond the wall. Welcome to the...
Better than flowers
While the subtle flowers of Japanese maples usually come and go without notice, the winged seeds are another story. This Japanese maple...
We can't help but personify plants
Especially when they look like this! You can find this happy orchid in the Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York. Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE...
Floral synchronicity
Some plant combos just can't be planned. In the garden of Sabrina and Freeland Tanner in Napa, California, it was just pure luck that this clematis vine wandered into the euphorbia and they decided...
A property-line seating area
"This sunken woodland patio provides a beautiful, private place to sit along the property line. The fence undulates with the topography, and its construction provides a pleasing texture that alludes...
A simple solution turns into garden art
Animal deterrents needn't be ugly. This solution to a common problem became a whimsical bit of art in the garden of Brian Higley and Meg Rasmussen in Beacon, New York. Brian says, "Before our sedum...
Orange+Green=Bold Contrast
OK, so we've decided to make this "Brian Higley Week" at the GPOD, since we have shots of so many of his great hardscape elements. We hope you'll be inspired by them! Today, we feature a fence and...
A bench built for a lifetime
This is another creation from landscape architect Brian Higley. He says, "These benches were designed to be simple but beautiful fixtures along a trail at Madam Brett Park in Beacon, New York...
A wow-worthy screen that blends right in
This woodland screen was created by landscape architect Brian Higley for a garden in Garrison, New York. He says, "This stick fence screens a small sitting deck in a woodland garden. While it's made...
READER PHOTO! A green roof good enough for a gnome...
Today's photo is from LeAnn Locher in Portland, Oregon. She says, "This is in the funky neighborhood of North Portland, in Portland, Oregon. Located along a sidewalk, this "gnomescape" features a...
READER PHOTO! A happy orange and lime theme for a busy patio
Today's photo is from David Bockman in Fairfax, Virginia. Recently David's studio, greeneyedesign, llc, was approached to design the outdoor dining area containers for Fresh Lunch Catering. The...
READER PHOTO! A faux borrowed view
Todays' photo is from Mindy Arbo in Winchester, Massachusetts. She says, "To distract visitors from some newly built houses next door, we borrowed from a Japanese design element called The...
READER PHOTO! Mirrorstone
Today's photo is from Sally Muspratt in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. She says, "I designed this garden to create beautiful reflections in "Mirrorstone," Adam Frenlin's simple stainless steel column...
Floating stones
At Asticou Azalea Garden in Northeast Harbor, Maine, these stone steps seem to float above the water. It's a serene sight. That said...
Maine Day 5: Candelabra primulas
These candelabra primulas (Primula X bullesiana cvs., Zones 5-8) beside the lower pond in the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden seem to capture the sun and...
Maine Day 4: Heuchera and catmint
Sometimes two similar textures can work quite well together. Gardeners at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden combined 'Miracle' heuchera (Heuchera 'Miracle', USDA Hardiness Zones 49nbspwith...
Maine Day 3: Primula vialii
Primula vialii was in full bloom by the lower pond in the Five Senses Garden at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay, Maine. This primula is native to China and prefers moist soil and...
Maine Day 2: Pondside at the CMBG
This is a planting at the edge of the central pond in the Five Senses Garden at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay, Maine. Some of these plants include blue oat glass Helictotrichon...
A week of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens!
Last week, assistant editor Kerry Ann Morre took a garden-themed tour of Maine with her trusty camera by her side. This week in the GPOD, we'll feature five photos from one of her favorite stops, the...
Alliums amongst the ferns
Soft-textured hay-scented ferns (Dennstaedtia punctilobula, USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8) are the perfect foil for the spherical blooms of an allium (Allium sp., Zones 3-11) After the blooms have faded...
Mirror image
At first glance, you'd think these urns were mirror images of each other, but the mirror has nothing to do with them from this angle. Instead, this decorative mirror is a compelling feature on this...
A humble focal point
You don't have to spend a lot of money or time creating a striking focal point in your garden. Designer Nancy Ondra leaves this yellow watering can on a post in her garden, where it's both convenient...
Evening reflection
Garden designer Laura Crockett created this garden lantern from a reclaimed streetlight. Placing it next to a water feature more than doubles its appeal as the sun goes down. Water's not just for...
READER PHOTO! Snow? In the middle of summer?
Todays' photo is from Erle Nickel in Oakland, California. He says, "No, that's not a snow drift blanketing this plant. It's the intriguing Verbascum bombyciferum 'Arctic Summer.' Native to...
A planting for hot, baking sun
A spot like this, in the baking sun by a pool in Denver, Colorado, needs to have plants that can take a beating and still look good all summer. Garden designer Tom Peace used a variety of tough...
A garden that glows at night
Barbara Paul Robinson's "moon garden" in her garden in Washington, Connecticut, is designed to be viewed from an upstairs bedroom window at dawn and dusk. Instead of the white blooms...
A patio that floats!
OK, not really. But the narrow water channel and pool that surround Scott Endres' back patio in St. Paul, Minnesota, sure seem to make this patio seem like an island of tranquility. It's a tiny...
A narrow side yard becomes a fascinating journey
When faced with a narrow passageway on the side of his house, Minneapolis/St. Paul garden designer Scott Endres didn't consider it just a way to get from the front to the back, he saw it as another...
No flowers for me, thanks.
When you're potting up your containers this year, consider trying one that doesn't rely on flower power. Fascinating foliage can be even more compelling than flowers. Rita Randolph in Jackson...
Two seasons of silver sage
Silver sage, a biennial (Salvia argentea, USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8), is most commonly photographed in its first season, when it flaunts beefy, extravagantly silvery and fuzzy leaves in a low rosette...
Borage isn't boring!
Want some true blue for your garden? Borage (Borago officinalis) is an old-fashioned annual herb that many gardeners grow for its edible young leaves and flowers, which taste faintly of cucumber. Its...
A perfect marriage of plants and hardscape
Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson's front entryway in Oakland, California, is a riot of colors, both in hardscape and plants. The vibrant slate steps are the perfect inspiration for their plant palette full...
Whisper-soft texture at dusk
In the garden of Sabrina and Freeland Tanner in Napa, California, a lantern is tucked into a low sweep of feather grass (Stipa sp., USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11), which just serves to enhance the...
An oasis for bored significant others
What garden-obsessed shopper doesn't need one of these at their local nursery? At Annie's Annuals and Perennials in Richmond, California, bored significant others can hang out together at the GUYS...
READER PHOTO! It's a bouncing baby...mantid! Or 500...
Today's photo is from Rebecca Sweet in Los Altos, California. She says, "Every spring we buy a praying mantis nest at our local nursery, hoping it hatches and provides us with at least one praying...
"Driftwood" and grasses
This is Barbara Weirich's Benton Harbor, Michigan, fall garden, where she took advantage of a fallen tree branch to create a beachy atmosphere with flowing grasses. Welcome to the Fine Gardening...
A rusty privacy screen inspires a planting
Barbara Weirich's husband is a metal fabricator, and he created this privacy screen for her garden in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It's at the end of a long, narrow alleyway in her garden, and...
A splash of red makes a big impact
This is yet another example of what a splash of hardscape color can do for a garden. Try to imagine this scene without its bright red bench. Not quite as interesting, right? A punchy focal point like...
Which one of these things is not like the others?
In the garden of Jack Hyland and Larry Wente in Millerton, New York, a series of mirrors acts to expand the visual space in this little hidden garden. The last fence panel, however, isn't a mirror at...
A quiet spot to rest
This shady little nook can be found along an interior wall in the flower garden at Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, New York. The wall of green soothes your eyes and provides a break from the...
There's an anteater in the garden!
In the garden of Randy Bolin and Tom Nelson in Oakland, California, an anteater munches away amongst the pots on the deck. It's these little details that make a garden personal and wonderful, as this...
READER PHOTO: Artichokes are bold and beautiful!
Today's GPOD is from Laura Livengood Schaub in San Jose, California. She says, "Artichokes are a beautiful winter perennial in Northern California, growing 5'-6' tall with large gray-green leaves...
A criss-cross combo
This little vignette is a perfect combination of colors that ties together beautifully. The chartreuse flowering tobacco (Nicotiana cv.) on the front right is echoed by the 'Morning Light' miscanthus...
Chilean rhubarb, a horticultural beast!
Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) is a gargantuan perennial that is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. It prefers moist, rich soil in full sun or partial shade. This plant certainly says "WOW"...
READER PHOTO: Boxwood Buddha
Today's GPOD is from Sherry Willis. She says, "I was advised against turning an ancient, overgrown boxwood into a topiary but I couldn't resist. This is the result after about four years of endeavor." Thanks, Sherry, for sharing this with us!
Blurring the edges
A meadow of cosmos was the perfect way to transition from garden to fields at this garden in Millerton, New York. The flowers sway and dance in the slightest breeze and provide cover for wildlife and...
Matching plants to hardscape
Designer David Feix in California took cues from the colors on this patio when choosing plants for this vignette. The orange tips of the blue-green agave (Agave sp.) match the low stucco wall, while...
Take cues from your surroundings when choosing plants
When choosing plants for this garden bed, designer Rebecca Batchie looked up and took into account the red of this classic barn when she chose the red and white lily. By matching the two, she made...
Tall, dark, and handsome
This dusky container design is quietly dramatic. It was designed by Peter Robideaux and his staff in Brookfield, Connecticut, to be an example of what could be achieved with the plants he sells in...
READER PHOTO: Hummingbird & Honeysuckle
Today's GPOD is from Tina Wilson in Arlington, Washington. She says, "I have a large garden and plant a variety of flowers that naturally attract hummingbirds, bees, birds, dragonflies, and other...
READER PHOTO: Cherry blossoms
Today's GPOD is from Mary Beth Jarrosak on Block Island in Rhode Island. She says, "This weeping cherry tree is on my brothers property on Block Island, and it was given to him by our...
Longwood Gardens, Day 5: Peirce's Woods
It's Longwood Gardens week at the GPOD! This week, we've been celebrating this fabulous public garden in pictures. Longwood, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a...
Longwood Gardens, Day 4: The Silver Garden
It's Longwood Gardens week at the GPOD! This week, we're celebrating this fabulous public garden in pictures. Longwood, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a long-time FG staff...
Longwood Gardens, Day 3: Annuals in the Idea Garden
It's Longwood Gardens week at the GPOD! This week, we're celebrating this fabulous public garden in pictures. Longwood, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a long-time FG staff...
Longwood Gardens, Day 2: The Topiary Garden
It's Longwood Gardens week at the GPOD! This week, we're celebrating this fabulous public garden in pictures. Longwood, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a long-time FG staff...
It's LONGWOOD GARDENS week at the GPOD!
It's Longwood Gardens week at the GPOD! For the next five days, we'll celebrate this fabulous public garden in pictures. Longwood, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a long-time FG...
A great vine for shady containers
It's not easy to find colorful plants to make a splash in shade containers. The rex begonia vine (Cissus discolor, USDA Hardiness Zone 11) is one great plant that does the job. It's an Asian...
READER PHOTO: A froth of pink
Today's GPOD is from Deanne Fortnam in Nashua, New Hampshire. She says: "Nothing can beat the exuberance of clematis in full bloom in early July combined with lilies and baby's breath" Thanks...
Pretty, and pretty cheap
Create inexpensive, home-made garden lanterns with some twine, a few Mason or Ball jars, some sand or glass beads, and a few tealights. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog...
Create a focal point with pots
Stumped as to how to display a collection of cacti and succulents? Create an island bed on your patio! This stunning display is in the demonstartion gardens at Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh...
A "kitchen" garden
At the Little Herb House in Raleigh, North Carolina, discarded kitchen implements serve as garden art in a "kitchen" garden bed of herbs. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog...
Dressing up a staircase
At Filoli in California, this simple concrete and brick staircase is dressed up and defined by a seasonal display of potted tulips. This is a great way to liven up a bare area of a garden in spring...
READER PHOTO: A simple combo with big impact
Today's GPOD is from Mindy Arbo of the Cotton-Arbo retum in Winchester, Massachusetts. Mindy says: "This striking combination of Hosta 'Sum and Substance' and Chelone 'Hot Lips' comes from the...
READER PHOTO: Clematis 'Jackmanii'
Today's GPOD is from Chris Tidrick in Champaign, Illinois. He says, "This Clematis 'Jackmanii' climbs up the light pole in our front border and makes a wonderful partner to the Baptisia...
#ff = Follow Friday on Twitter!
I've been "tweeting" on Twitter for quite some time now, and I have to say that it's one of my best sources of gardening information, inspiration, and all-out entertainment. I love my "tweeps," and I...
READER PHOTO: Daffodils, daffodils, and more daffodils!
Today's GPOD is from Wendy Niemi Kremer in Oak Hill, Virginia. She says, "This photo shows three of my favorite daffodils in my backyard border: Narcissus 'Thalia', with its orchid-like blooms, tiny...
READER PHOTO: Shades of blue and gray
Today's GPOD is from Michelle Van Heuvelen. She says: "I garden on a farm in Iowa. I have a number of gardens spread out around the farm. Including a small, formal potager, a long border...
A botanical Jack-in-the-box
Todays GPOD is from Kerry Ann Moore, one of FG's assistant editors. She says, "This little summer baby looks like it’s about to explode! Even though this image is frozen in time, it evokes an...
Mix it up with pansies
Want to do something different with your pansies this spring? Plant them with your lettuces! They really dress up a planting, and you can even harvest a few of the edible blooms for your...
Dress up your pots for Easter!
Today's photo is from Danielle Sherry, one of FG's Associate Editors. She says: "There’s not much to choose from at the nurseries in early spring--especially when it comes to container...
READER PHOTO: A second show for a spectacular tulip
Today's photo is from Rebecca and Emily Sweet in Los Altos, California. Rebecca says: "While helping me get ready for a huge garden party last week, Emily, my 14-year-old daughter, was sidetracked...
Beach garden
In this private garden in Michigan, the property drops off steeply, overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan. Sad that her grandchildren couldn't get to the beach, the homeowner/garden designer...
Where's Waldo?
The bunny, that is. Can you find him? Associate Editor Danielle Sherry spent a bit of time with this fellow as she took photos at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, & Arboretum in Rhode Island. He...
Beautiful AND functional
This metal sculpture serves two purposes. It screens a view of the neighbor's house, but it also makes a stunning focal point that is emphasized by a matching urn in the foreground. This thoughful...
A not-so-delicate container combo
This combo may look refined and fussy, but its anchor is one tough cookie. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra', USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9) is sometimes banished from borders due to its...
Deep red equals high drama
This sultry, monochromatic bed makes a big impact with its large sweeps of deep red plants. Amaranth and coleus supply the bulk of the drama, and are knitted together with a band of ornamental kale...
READER PHOTO: Poor, tortured trees...
Today's photo is from Susan Morrison in California's San Francisco Bay area. She says: "This house is in the older part of my neighborhood and unfortunately a lot of the trees are still treated this...
READER PHOTO: Mountain bluet
Today's photo is from Andrew Keys in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He says: "The appearance of cool customer Centaurea montana (USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9) means it's a sure thing it's high spring in my...
Common plants, uncommon effect
You don't need the latest and greatest plants to make a stunning plant combo. All of these plants are relatively easy to find in your local garden center: 'Polaris' verbena (Verbena rigida Polaris...
A perfect pairing of plants and pot
Sometimes it's tricky, pairing plants with a stunning, highly decorative pot, but the horticulturists at Cranbrook House and Gardens in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan seem to know what they're doing. The...
I'd like one of those, please.
This collection of begonias at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts is eough to give anyone a case of plant envy. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog! Every...
An Ode to Coleus
This photo doesn't even begin to illustrate the range of colors and textures that coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides cvs., USDA Hardiness Zone 11/annual) can provide to both containers and the...
READER PHOTO: Spring comes early!
Today's photo is from Erica Glasner in Atlanta, Georgia. She says: "This is Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata Alba’ (USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 9). A mouthful but a great evergreen shrub...
To love a garden
In honor of this blog's most frequest visitor, here's a soothing scene from the Cotton-Arbo retum in Winchester, Massachusetts. FG visited this garden with our cameras last summer, and were wowed by...
A peaceful setting indeed
The Temple of Peace in the woodland at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great...
A mathematical masterpiece
Not many plants can add the level of texture and drama to a garden that 'Lucifer' crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer', USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9) can. Its lance-shaped, corrugated leaves are a study in...
Should it be called mountain rue?
Meadow rue (Thalictrum rochebrubeanum and cvs., USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9) is a perennial native to Japan that forms large, 3-foot-tall clumps of muted green foliage and sprays of delicate...
It's a bit rusty...
Rusty metal blends into a garden amazingly well, especially when paired with a bronzy sedge. This photo was taken in Laura Crockett's garden in Hillsboro, Oregon. Welcome to the Fine Gardening...
A juicy combo for a container
This combo might be juicy, but it also has teeth! The flame-licked leaves of Tropicanna canna (Canna 'Phasion', Zones 8-11) are the perfect backdrop for the flashy orange spines of this porcupine...
A promising sign that spring is on its way!
Today's Garden Photo of the Day is from Associate Editor Danielle Sherry. She says, "Despite the snowfall this past weekend in New England, my Purple witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis 'Purpurea', USDA...
It's all in the details
The designer of this little river-rock tower says that of all the creative hardscape touches she's added to her small garden over the years, this has always gotten the most attention. It's elegant in...
Mixed messages in the garden
Hot-headed or happy-go-lucky? Two sides of a botanical coin. Happy Monday! Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a...
Who goes there?!
The staff of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina got a little creative last year... Plant Delights is a plant-lover's paradise. But they're not just about to-die-for plants. Their...
Pair one fine texture with another
Sure, we all know that contrast is the name of the garden design name, but sometimes it's just as effective to pair a fine-textured plant with one of a similar texture but with a different color. The...
Love-in-a-mist is one cool annual
Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena cvs., annual) delivers a 3-part punch, with it's finely textured foliage, intricate blue flowers, and striped, balloon-like seed pods, all at the same time. It's a...
READER PHOTO: The hummingbirds demand their bath
Today's GPOD comes from LeAnn Locher, a storyteller and gardener in Portland, Oregon. She says: "We've created a water feature in our garden using a rain chain with water dropping into and...
Old world charm in a California garden
Filoli is one of California's most famous and beautiful estates. Its spring display is classic and spectacular. To see how Filoli was the inspiration for another, more casual California garden, check...
A stunning and functional garden focal point
When we first featured this birdhouse on the cover of the December 2000 issue of Fine Gardening, the FG office got dozens of calls from gardeners wanting one just like it. Years later, this garden...
The origins of everyday things
Way back when, I used to collect rubber duckies. When you start to have more than a few dozen of something, you start to wonder where they came from. I began to picture factories in China, pushing...
Ruby grass is pretty in pink
Ruby grass (Melinus nerviglumis) This gray-green, graceful grass is a wonderful, visually soothing addition to summer gardens. The pink blooms begin to appear on arching stems in spring and last...
A Japanese Garden in New York
The Japanese garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a...
A tumble of cool clematis softens hot hardscape
Among the many delights of Cornerstone Gardens in sun-drenched Sonoma, California, is this stucco wall and metal gate softened by an exuberant tumble of purple clematis blooms. Welcome to the Fine...
A simple structure makes a big impact
At the Vesper Hill Chapel garden in Rockport, Maine, a simple bamboo trellis is used to serve as a visual end to this garden space. It's a simple way to add interest and boundary without spending a...
Use paint to make a splash
In the vegetable garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boyleston, Massachusetts, a bean tower isn't just functional, it's a colorful focal point. Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the...
Catalog Review: Thompson and Morgan Seeds
I've never been to England, so I only have vague ideas about English gardens. But leafing through the pages of Thompson & Morgan makes me feel like I’m just a bit closer than an ocean away...
This is not the way you want to lose a limb...
This just in: man arrested for shotgun pruning.
My favorite Fine Gardening articles ever!
Recently Steve Aitken, FG’s editor, asked the FG editors to name our favorite article from the past 20+ years of FG. That’s a tough one! Rather than just one, I thought I’d share my favorite 10 from the last few years. We have published over 130 issues, after all. Some of these are online now, so you can check them out right away. Here goes (in reverse chronological order)!
A garden to grow with
The kids' garden at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh is a deight for young minds.
We're on Twitter!
Yes, Fine Gardening is trying to look younger than it actually is. Wait! The magazine is about 21 years old. That's about right, no? Anyway, if you tweet, follow us!
Neighborhood Workday to the rescue!
I can barely move this morning. My joints are stiff, my muscles are screaming, and I’m so happy! On Saturday the “Neighborhood Workday” came to my house.
Purple Perilla Pesto does not rock my world.
The search continues for a use for my perilla.
A garden gem in Upstate New York
The King's Garden at Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York
Common Name Conundrums
Fine Gardening's copy editor, Suzanne Noel, and I often get mired in minutia (Suzanne, should that be minutiae?? Long conversation ensues…). These matters often send me on short journeys of...
Finally! A plethora of attractive rain barrels
A couple of years ago Gardener’s Supply came out with a rain barrel that looked like an elegant terra-cotta urn, and I was pretty darned excited (though not excited enough to cough up 219...
I love my Dutchman's pipe!
I planted Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla, syn. A. durior, Zones 5-8) on my pergola maybe 6 years ago, having seen it on some arbors in Saratoga Springs, New York, the summer before...
Things I love in theory
Things I love in theory. In reality? Not so much.
If life gives you dandelions, make wine!
I already have dozens of dandelions blooming in my lawn. Dozens, I say. I've always known you could make dandelion wine, but thought it would be complicated and would require special equipment that wouldn't fit into my budget.
A sunny oasis in the snow
Connecticut is such a maze of back roads that I could drive a different route to work every day. But I’m stuck in a rut, so I usually stick to one scenic route that takes my over the hills...
Next photo challenge: Signs of Spring
Spring is right around the corner, and so is our next photo challenge.
Garden blockade
Keep out!
Don't hate them because their garden is beautiful
"Perfect Gardens" are real gardens, too!
Gardening Resolutions for 2009
A perennial exercise in deluding ourselves? We think not.
More containers, continued
More of my fave containers from my garden
More containers
Some of my favorite containers and container groupings from my garden over the years.
Rex begonia vine
Love this vine - Cissus discolor, AKA rex begonia vine. Got it from Cottage Garden Nursery in IL.
My favorite coleus for containers
Notice a common theme here? I ALWAYS include 'Texas Parking Lot' coleus in my container plantings. It's my absolute favorite coleus, sometimes called 'Alabama Sunset'.
Plant Shopping List
It's not even 2009 yet, and Fine Gardening Associate Editor is already thinking about what plants to buy next year.
Less is More: Finalist Photos from the 2010 Container Challenge
We didn't have room for these 22 photos in the May/June issue, so we published them here instead.
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A Season Of Everyday Roses - Video Blog Post #4. Deadheading and lots of blooms!
PFZimmerman | May 24th, 2013
Gayle & Larry's garden in Illinois
MichelleGervais | May 24th, 2013
How to Prune Panicle Hydrangeas
Antonio_Reis | May 23rd, 2013
How to Prune Mountain Laurel
Antonio_Reis | May 23rd, 2013
Recent comments
Re: Miyako's shady front-yard garden in Connecticut
Miyako, you might try a goats beard next (Aruncus dioicus), and maybe a 'Sun King' aralia. Both would add height.
posted: 7:15 am on May 10thRe: Nancy's garden in Maryland
And YAY for the fixed email! Special thanks to the tech guys for making it happen.
posted: 8:58 am on May 8thRe: Nancy's garden in Maryland
Nancy--sounds like we need to see SUMMER pics!
posted: 8:57 am on May 8thTractor1--swooning over those adorable kittens!!!!!
Re: Lovay's garden in North Carolina
GOOD NEWS!! I think the email might be fixed tomorrow....look for it in your inbox at 5am eastern time. Fingers crossed!
posted: 4:10 pm on May 7thRe: Spring unfolds in Pauline's California garden
I rarely, if ever, change the exposure of the photos. I simply don't have the time. What you see is what I get. Seriously, if someone sends in photos and the photo quality isn't good enough to see what's going on, they just don't get posted. Can we agree to end all debate on photo quality and focus on the gardens, please? Man, am I crankypants today.
posted: 12:47 pm on May 3rdRe: Spring at Chanticleer, Day 1: Bulbs, Stone, and the Bulb Meadow
I've been coveting a bulb auger for years. I need to take the plunge. Heck, my husband, as a former carpenter, must have half a dozen drills I can use!
posted: 10:55 am on May 3rdRe: Spring unfolds in Pauline's California garden
So sorry, yet again, for the email woes, everyone. I have NO IDEA why it hasn't been resolved yet. I'm just as bummed as you guys, and will keep pestering. Fingers crossed....
posted: 9:43 am on May 2ndRe: Spring at Winterthur, Day 2
Good morning, everyone! An update on the missing emails--it seems the website has been crashing in the early morning hours just about when the eletter normally goes out. We're sending them out manually each morning until someone figures out what's wrong. Unfortunately for us east coasters, it usually doesn't go out until after 9am! I'll keep everyone posted. I know it's frustrating!
posted: 8:36 am on April 30thRe: Spring at Winterthur, Day 1
phyllissergent, we did go to Chanticleer! It was HEAVENLY! I've been there numerous times, but spring was an awesome treat. Now I have to go check out Nemours--thanks for the tip!
posted: 10:29 am on April 29thRe: Spring at Winterthur, Day 1
The email usually goes out automatically at 3 or 4 am, eastern time, but since we've been having problems one of our web gurus has been sending it out manually as soon as he gets to his computer and finds out there was a problem. Now, off to pester them more! ;-)
posted: 9:07 am on April 29thRe: Spring at Winterthur, Day 1
Sorry I didn't ID the plants, guys. I do know the following:
posted: 8:22 am on April 29thWhite and blue starry flowers: Windflower (Anemone blanda cvs.)
Yellow hanging flowers: Merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora)
White 3-petaled flowers: Trilliums (Trillium spp.)
Blue and pink flowers: Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
And yes, we're still having trouble with the mail service. Grrr!
Re: Beth's garden in Iowa, Day 1
Just wait til you see tomorrow's pics, ya'll. You have no idea what awaits you in the BACK yard!!
posted: 11:40 am on April 22ndRe: Susan's front yard makeover in Illinois
Let's all keep in mind that when people submit photos to the GPOD, they are very proud of what they've done, and that all gardens are works in progress. A bit of constructive criticism is great, but watch your tone, and don't insult. I know if it was my garden, I wouldn't want anyone pointing out the ugly bits. There are LOTS, by the way. Why, just the other day, I looked at the pitiful ornament I plopped on the pillar in my front yard, just to get it out of the way of something else while I was taking out the trash, and thought, UGH. I'll bet everyone who passes by thinks that's permanent and on purpose. Yikes!
posted: 10:44 am on April 15thWe're all real people here, people, with feelings. BE NICE!! If you couldn't imagine yourself saying it to their face, don't say it at all.
Re: Cindy's garden in New York
Not at all, Tractor1! I am a huge proponent of taking photos in early morning or early evening. The light is so much kinder to your garden. A beautiful sunny day always yields harsh photos, unless you get the holy grail--deep blue skies and a few big, dense clouds to hide the sun once in a while.
posted: 2:09 pm on April 12thRe: Nong's garden in Ohio, Day 1
Hey guys--lots of requests for IDs of plants in the individual photos lately. Short answer is, if you don't send them, I can't post them. I have a very short amount of time to work on the blog each day, and can't take the time to email back requesting them, wait for a response, etc. It's totally up to you guys! That said, don't let everyone's wish for IDs hold you back from submitting photos if you either don't have the plant names or don't have the time to dig them up.
posted: 8:25 am on April 10thRe: Lori's garden in Utah, Day 1
Yes, I think everyone got the error email. We're working on getting it sent out again this morning. Thanks!
posted: 8:27 am on April 1stRe: Another design by John in Virginia
John, I LOVE the patches of pebbles on either side of the steps.
posted: 9:02 am on March 28thRe: Pinterest, anyone?
Gosh, you guys, all these wonderful wishes, and soup, too! (Tractor1, you can go ahead and FedEx that to me aaaaaanytime.....kidding!) I'm feeling quite a bit better. I'm back at work, still drinking lots of fluids, and working on tomorrow's post. THANKS SO MUCH for all the support!
posted: 2:07 pm on March 11thRe: Christine's bayside garden in New York
News Flash! Christine sent in more pics today--stay tuned to see them tomorrow!
posted: 1:45 pm on February 28thRe: Christine's bayside garden in New York
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.
posted: 1:44 pm on February 28thWittyone-I wish! Every garden you guys send me is awesome! Every effort at gardening is worthwhile and beautiful. Send in the pics!
Re: Sheila's garden in Newfoundland & Labrador, Day 1
Hmmmm, a bus tour...how much fun would THAT be!? But more realistic, perhaps, might be a summer gathering centered around the northeast--a big party (my house?? Yikes!), tour of the FG office (not terribly exciting), plus drive-yourself group visits to some killer public gardens and perhaps some Garden Conservancy open gardens...does that sound at all interesting? Would anyone actually come from long distances? Keep in mind--this is just off the top of my head....It is not an official plan or anything.
posted: 11:02 am on February 21stRe: The gardens at Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn in Maine
I'm game! GPOD meetup at my house this summer!! And if you take me seriously I will panic... But still be game!
posted: 6:36 pm on February 18thRe: More from Jeff's garden in Tennessee
I once had an alpaca sneeze directly in my face right after I fed it a hay cube. Talk about not attractive...After I could speak again I had to dunk my entire head. But I still love them!
posted: 2:14 pm on February 13thRe: Fabulous Garden Structures
Regina, I'm not sure about the plant in the first photo, but the wispy plant in the 7th photo is definitely Stipa tenuissima (syn. Nasella tenuissima), or feather grass. It's hardy in Zones 7-11.
posted: 12:55 pm on February 12thRe: Maria's visit to Monet's garden
OOh, that was my fault, too, Maria--I always forget the distinction between famous and infamous! Quite a difference. This garden is definitely on the famous side...
posted: 9:55 am on February 7thRe: The Case of the Rapidly Diminishing Hedge Apples
Interesting..... Got some squirrels with especially fresh breath?
posted: 5:05 pm on January 29thRe: The gardens at the Harvest Inn in Napa
The Ecuador trip was Kielian's! How could I forget? Sorry, everyone... I've fixed the error.
posted: 10:09 am on January 16thRe: The gardens at the Harvest Inn in Napa
Jan, what was I thinking?? I will fix it in a few minutes. Ugh.
posted: 8:58 am on January 16thRe: The gardens of Union Hill
Meander1--I'm going in the opposite direction. I live in a house built in 1871 now, and I love it for the most part, but I dream of building a low, sleek modern house, super-insulated, with large overhangs and low-maintenance materials like a metal roof and cement board siding. I want a modern-leaning garden, too, and lots of containers!
posted: 10:06 am on January 10thI really wish I could be passively appreciative (love that term--thank you!) of antique houses, but my hubby is in the construction field, so I know WAY too much about houses....and living in our house, with it's old-house needs, doesn't help.
Re: The gardens of Union Hill
Ha! Meander1, I might be the exception to the rule. The older I get the more I look at Victorian houses like this and think about how much money it would cost to repaint them. But gosh, they are beautiful!
posted: 9:21 am on January 10thRe: Bob & Linda's garden in Pennsylvania
Tractor1/Sheldon---whoa. Just....whoa. That is a huge herd!! No wonder your garden gets decimated! Dare I say it...I think you should add a healthy dose of venison to your diet. (I reap the rewards of my father-in-law's hunting efforts. Yum!)
posted: 9:26 am on November 30thRe: Karen's dry stream bed in Illinois (Day 1 of 2 in Karen's garden)
Hortiphila/Karen--thanks for the other article title. Here is a link to it online, if anyone else is considering a dry stream bed:
posted: 9:23 am on November 15thhttp://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/transforming-a-barren-backyard.aspx
Re: Christine's first veggie garden in Quebec
LOVE the pics, Tractor1! Can you just go ahead and give us a photo of your cats every day? Especially the sleeping ones. Dreamy! :-)
posted: 11:27 am on November 12thRe: Clare's garden in New Jersey, Day 1 of 2
Hey all-while you're here, head on over to one of our other blogs, Kiss My Aster, and Vote MUM or ASTER. I know you have some strong opinions... I voted for the write-in candidate.
posted: 9:10 am on November 2ndhttp://www.finegardening.com/item/25195/asterzilla-vs-mumthra
Re: Asterzilla vs. Mumthra
Mums=yuck. Every single time I've bought them they look good for a total of 3 days. Asters are just OK. I vote ornamental cabbages and kales! Crazy interesting, easy to mix with other plants, and they look good forever!
posted: 9:09 am on November 2ndRe: Just down the street...
I believe that's a mandevilla--sorry, should have mentioned that. Any ideas on what that green vine is between the black-eyed Susan vine and mandevilla?
posted: 10:24 am on October 31stRe: Heather's garden in Massachusetts
TeriCA--I'll do my best. Sometimes I feel as if I am Seymour and the GPOD is Audrey II... :-)
posted: 1:21 pm on October 26thI do encourage every gardener I feature to stop in throughout the day their garden is featured to answer questions.
Re: The Bridgewater Village Store's 2012 display
Oh, Carla, the lunches! Soooo good. I used to get this artichoke sandwich there that rocked my world. I wonder if they still have it?
posted: 9:15 am on September 28thAs far as the chocolates go, since you guys are all probably craving a fix now, here is a link to the Bridgewater Chocolate website, where you can mailorder some treats: http://www.bridgewaterchocolate.com/
Re: The Bridgewater Village Store's 2012 display
JTitus--that sound like the perfect spot for some rampant self-sowers like perilla and Verbena bonariensis. If you have any budget at all, I'd bet that your best investment would be manure and compost to make that soil more hospitable, and then you can cheap out on plants by direct-sowing some big, easy annuals as you slowly add perennial divisions. It sound like a fun project!!
posted: 8:30 am on September 28thRe: The Bridgewater Village Store's 2012 display
Meander1, I could be wrong, but I think the guy who owns this complex also owns Bridgewater Chocolates. Those chocolates are DREAMY. They sell them in the village store, and the factory is a few miles south of here. I don't get them often, but wowsers when I do.
posted: 8:26 am on September 28thRe: Miyako's container gardens in Connecticut
cwheat000--you and Miyako are practically neighbors (same road)!
posted: 10:59 am on September 26thWinstonSalem--that bright plant is variegated snow bush (Breynia disticha 'Roseopicta', Z9-11).
Re: Gregg & Kindra's deer-friendly garden in Ohio
Hey guys--I've been getting lots of requests for more captions lately. I'd love to include them, but the fact is, if you don't give 'em to me, I can't post 'em. I'm definitely not leaving them out on purpose. That said, don't think you HAVE to include them to submit pics of your garden. Keep those photos coming!
posted: 9:27 am on September 21stRe: READER PHOTOS! Jean's Touch of Heaven garden in Wisconsin
Tractor1, I love lawn, too. Ours is a mix of whatever grows best--clover, etc., and we do nothing but mow. (We made the mistake of fertilizing it once--my gosh, we had to mow it twice as often that year!) But I have to say, mowing is the last thing we feel like doing while my husband and I juggle 2 demanding careers, a 140-year-old-house, and a 6-year-old. I'm just not convinced that a garden in place of a lawn is less work. Maybe in California, but not in Connecticut. I'm still up in the air on what to do, but for now we'll just keep mowing the lawn occasionally.
posted: 10:04 am on September 5thRe: READER PHOTOS! Ellen's driveway garden in Massachusetts
Thanks, meander1! I'm trying to keep up with it, but sometimes it slips my mind. But every time I do, I fall in love with it all over again. Here's the link for anyone who wants to revisit the GPOD Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/fggpod/
posted: 3:12 pm on July 12thRe: READER PHOTOS! Ellen's driveway garden in Massachusetts
Tractor, I love, love, LOVE your photo from yesterday!! So handsome...
posted: 8:34 am on July 12thRe: READER PHOTOS! Irma's community's garden in Spain
pattyspencer--I believe that's the agapanthus. The blue globes on tall stalks, right?
posted: 10:50 am on July 11thRe: READER PHOTOS! Irma's community's garden in Spain
I got an email last night from Irma--she did, indeed, do all of the planning and construction on this garden. Good job, Irma!!
posted: 8:52 am on July 11thRe: READER PHOTOS! Jay's design in North Carolina
slr88--I think your home is lovely, but I guess tastes vary. I fear that Tractor1 would find my home hideous, too... but I still appreciate his input. Tractor1--go easy on us, will you? :-)
posted: 3:17 pm on July 9thRe: Linda's garden in Ohio
That said, later in July I'll be heading up past Boston, through New Hampshire, and into Maine on a photo shoot trip. I'm open to visiting anyone along the way!
posted: 12:09 pm on June 29thRe: Linda's garden in Ohio
Aw man!! pattyspencer, I totally would've come to visit you--I had plenty of time! Darnit!
posted: 12:07 pm on June 29thRe: A visit to Tim's garden in Ohio
Fixed your name, Tim--sorry about that! I once knew someone with the last name Vogt, and I think that's what messes me up.
posted: 8:13 am on June 28thRe: Michelle's garden in Connecticut
One thing I forgot to mention--that creature-looking bird house on the pergola post by the fountain in the first shot is a bird gargler. It was a house-warming gift from my Aunt and Uncle, and we love how weird and wacky it is! No birds have ever nested in it though. :-( Here is the artist's website: http://www.douglasfeypottery.com/douglasfeypottery.com/Welcome.html
posted: 1:45 pm on June 12thRe: Michelle's garden in Connecticut
No sweat, Tractor1! No matter how many years I photograph gardens, I still feel like a novice, but there are lots of simple tricks that can improve your garden photos. In fact... (shameless FG plug) check out this article on simple ways to improve garden photos! http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/garden-photography-tips.aspx
posted: 1:23 pm on June 12thRe: Michelle's garden in Connecticut
Thanks for all of the wonderful comments, everyone!! I was nervous....
posted: 10:20 am on June 12thBelieve it or not, my hubby DOES hire out! He was a general contractor and finish carpenter before signing on as the web producer for Fine Homebuilding magazine just down the hall, and he still likes to get his hands dirty once in a while. But, unfortunately, he can only do local stuff, what with his busy schedule and a 6-year-old kid to help me raise...and a 140-year-old house to keep ahead of, which is a full-time job in itself...
Tractor1, I knew you were going to call me on my photos! I didn't have my tripod on me that day, and my home camera needs a checkup, but I haven't found the time or $$$ to send it out to Canon. I'm sorry!!
Daisy64--Dutchman's pipe vine will grow in full sun! Try it, you'll love it.
Vojt--I will have to give the Japanese maple a couple of years to recover before it's photo-worthy again. It lost at least 30% of its major branches in the Halloween blizzard of '11. It was heartbreaking.
SumHillGardener--I have to buy Verbena bonariensis every spring, even though everyone I talk to says it reseeds like crazy. Not in my garden...I wish!
bsavage--I'm in Zone 6, in the northwestern corner of Connecticut near the New York border.
wittyone--I'm just glad that yellow waxbells is growing at all! I put it in 3 or 4 years ago, when everything else around it was small, and it's been floundering until this year. I'd basically written it off. I will need to decide if I want to risk moving it now that it's happy, because the 'Guacamole' hosta HAS to stay--it's dreamy.
oldsquaw--the photos that Tractor1 posts in his comments are actually profile pics that he changes out once in a while. Go to your profile page and upload a new profile pic from your computer.
Re: Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog & eLetter!
Thanks, PerenniallyCrazy! They're just Mason jars filled partway with clear florist gems and a tea light candle, and hung from the pergola with garden twine. Simple!
posted: 8:39 am on June 6thRe: READER PHOTOS! Carla's garden in Connecticut
PeonyFan, those chocolate cosmos pots are DREAMY, as were the pots by the door! I could not stop taking pics of them. The whole garden was super cozy and beautiful. Carla, I can't wait to see it with your roses in bloom!
posted: 8:45 am on June 1stRe: READER PHOTOS! Krista's water garden in Ohio
ToniaVuksanovic, I believe that white-flowering plant is Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'. It's a popular Proven Winners plant, so you should be able to find it at a local nursery pretty easily. It's a great plant!
posted: 8:57 am on May 11thRe: READER PHOTOS! Cherry's containers in British Columbia, Day 2
Cherry--take Sheila's good advice. She's WON the Container Design Challenge. Not once, but TWICE! She knows what she's talking about...
posted: 10:31 am on May 9thRe: READER PHOTOS! John's garden in Ontario
You guys--there's an amazing article on brugmansias (angels' trumpets) by Deanne Fortnam in the latest issue of FG. She grows and overwinters several. She details her methods in the article, and also recommends some of her favorites. Look for it!
posted: 12:34 pm on May 7thRe: My Bad Romance With A Bad, Bad Plant
I soooo wish I could grow this plant in my garden--I'm a sucker for big, hulking beast-like plants! Alas, if we see one growing here in CT, we are encouraged to report it so the invasive police can come an take care of it. Yikes! Sounds like invasiveness is just one of its cons.
posted: 1:48 pm on May 1stRe: READER PHOTOS! Kathy's garden in Illinois
Sorry about the late email this morning, guys. We use a service to mail it out in the middle of the night (no...I don't stay up til 3 a.m. to hit SEND... :-) ), and there was a hiccup this morning. All fixed now!
posted: 8:57 am on April 27thRe: READER PHOTOS! Ann's bowling ball garden art
Clever tractor... :-)
posted: 8:56 am on April 25thRe: Year-round focal points from humble materials, Day 2
Sabrina and Freeland truly do have a sincere love and respect for vintage garden implements. They collect them and use them every day! I think too often great objects like this are forgotten in garages and basements. The Tanners are giving them new life, and I love it!
posted: 1:31 pm on April 24thRe: National Call-Out-Sick-From-Work-To-Stay-Home-And-Pull-Garlic-Mustard-Before-It-Goes-To-Seed Day
I'm surrounded on 3 sides by garlic mustard. It's insane. It's hard to get motivated to fight the tide. Luckily, it's easy to pull! The horseradish that's been popping up in my garden beds? Not so much.
posted: 10:20 am on April 23rdRe: Year-round focal points from humble materials, Day 1
Oh, no, Terie, your poor garden!! Please do give us updates on how it fares. This is worse than the October snow, I would think!
posted: 5:47 am on April 23rdRe: READER PHOTOS! Harriet's garden in Maine, BEFORE!
meander1! So glad you're back!! I hope everything went well and that you're taking it easy.
posted: 8:25 am on April 12thRe: Gardens, mountains, and streams
----JUNE 23rd!!----
posted: 9:24 am on March 5thRe: Gardens, mountains, and streams
Holy cow, I forgot to include the date!! I'll fix that as soon as I get into the office this morning. Sorry about that, guys!
posted: 8:01 am on March 5thRe: READER PHOTOS! Jan's garden in Wisconsin
terieLR--I'll jump in here--that ferny plant behind the pond, if I'm right, isn't a fern at all. It looks like Siberian cypress (Micribiota decussata, USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7). I love that plant. I've seen it in tons of gardens, and it always looks absolutely perfect.
posted: 11:09 am on February 17thRe: An Adult Love Letter to Adult Ivy
Spicy!! Aster+Ivy, 4-evahhhh....
posted: 4:00 pm on February 16thRe: READER PHOTOS! More from Terie's garden in New York
Hi Geckogirla--this garden is in Newfield, New York, Zone 5b. We try to include the location of each garden in both the title of the post and the first sentence of the post each day.
posted: 3:29 pm on February 10thRe: BEHOLD! The GPOD Pinterest Page!
Thanks for all the thanks, guys! It was so much fun making that Pinterest page. I've added a new board--Awesome Stuff From Other Pinners. Lots of great stuff from beyond the GPOD! Oh man, Pinterest is soooo addictive.... Must. Drag. Myself. Away.
posted: 12:10 pm on February 9thI plan on updating the Pinterest boards every 2 to 3 weeks. Yes, "free time" is sort of an elusive and mysterious thing here at FG...we wouldn't have it any other way, though!
Re: READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 1: The gravel garden
Tim - that's funny! I give my house and garden projects priority numbers, too, and they always seem to be in the 500-ish range... "Oh, you think we should paint the dining room? Project #542."
posted: 11:44 am on January 25thRe: Hey Girl...
So glad to see these on FG, finally!! Ah, a gardener's dream man...
posted: 9:28 am on January 23rdRe: Lost in the bamboo
Mangobiscuit, go to this website:
posted: 11:35 am on January 3rdhttps://plantinfo.umn.edu/
In the box on the right, click on the pull-down menu for specialty and select bamboo. Then click GO to get a big list of nurseries that specialize in bamboo.
Re: Lost in the bamboo
Hi all,
posted: 11:31 am on January 3rdI'll try to include plant names whenever possible. In this case, there weren't any plant tags or nearby gardeners. My best guess is that this is a pennisetum of some sort, but I could be completely wrong! Anyone else think it looks familiar?
Re: READER PHOTOS! Kielian's garden in Montana
Oh, I HAVE to see the motion-detector leaf-blower setup! Pleeeaaassse send a pic? So funny!
posted: 1:09 pm on December 9thRe: Kiss My Aster's Gifts for Gardeners Guide 2011
I have to have those slugs!!
posted: 2:51 pm on November 30thRe: READER PHOTO! Jan Johnsen in upstate New York
Wow. I have to say that, based on the comments for the last few weeks, I start to get quite a bit nervous every time I prepare a new post these days. Writing a daily blog is challenging, to say the least. Seriously, I'd love to feature only small, home gardens, since it's what seems to make everyone happiest, but I just don't have the volume to do it. Once in a while I have to post photos from a public garden or a grand estate, and I can only hope that some of you will find some element of them inspiring. I certainly do! I LOVE seeing photos of over-the-top gardens. They give me the freedom to dream, and I always see something that I can use in my own garden-making.
posted: 2:00 pm on November 10thHelp me out--send me photos of YOUR gardens! I'd be eternally grateful...
Re: Mystery Plant!
Hey all! Thanks so much for IDing this awesome plant. As promised, I found a couple of sources:
posted: 3:40 pm on November 2ndhttp://www.kartuz.com/p/80070/Pseuderanthemum+alatum.html
http://www.glasshouseworks.com/trop-p3.html
I can't wait to get one!
arboretum--this was taken outside, believe it or not. There's a seating area along the side that has tons of tropicals in pots.
Deanneart--sorry, no closeup of the flowers. :-(
Re: A mesmerizing hedge on Long Island
cwheat000, are we living parallel lives?? We MUST live in the same town! ("town green" tipped me off--I live 3 blocks from it.) Would love to see pics of your garden.
posted: 12:15 pm on October 28thRe: READER PHOTOS! Julie's garden in Pennsylvania
Volunteers are truly amazing. Thanks for spotlighting them, tractor1 & soilgoil!
posted: 12:12 pm on October 18thRe: READER PHOTOS! Julie's garden in Pennsylvania
I could not agree more, tractor1! I've worked for a public garden in the past, have many friends who work in public gardens, and have met oodles of gardeners at public gardens around the country. Lemme tell ya, they're not in it for the money. They just happen to do what they love for a living, and they're thrilled to share what they've learned with me and our readers (they get just as excited as you guys do when their work is featured here). They and the gardens they create are unmistakably real, and really, public gardens exist for the public's inspiration and enjoyment, thanks to the generous people who have funded them throughout the years.
posted: 8:36 am on October 18thThat said, I love today's garden, too! Julie, that canna and anemone combo is KILLER.
Re: Tis the season...
I LOVE cutting back my grasses in the spring! I find it very satisfying. There's nothing complicated about it (unlike pruning shrubs, which terrifies me), and you end up with such tidy mounds waiting to sprout new blades. But I could see how it could get old in this garden!
posted: 9:53 am on October 14thRe: Lounging in the lady's mantle
oldsquaw--those links should be fixed now. Sorry about that!
posted: 9:30 am on October 13thRe: The Ghost Walk
Wow, I'm so glad I'm back from vacation today so that I can switch around some posts, because you guys would NOT have liked what I had planned for tomorrow! :-)
posted: 1:05 pm on October 10thFor the last two years, most of the posts on the GPOD have come from my travels as an editor here at FG over the past 10 years. I've visited tons of private gardens across the country, and featured lots of photos from those gardens, but after more than 460 posts (most with multiple photos), that well is starting to run dry. On top of that, I can only post photos that have no chance of eventually making it into the pages of Fine Gardening, not because they aren't worthy subjects, but because we don't have an angle with which to include them in an article or department.
Lately, I've been traveling to public gardens to gather general shots for future issues, and lots of interesting things have popped up that I've been excited to share. But I can see how images public gardens can start to get old. But keep in mind that public gardens exist to inspire!
Now I'm challenging you: Send me photos of your gardens! We've featured lots of reader photos in the past, and they've always been my favorites. Some tips on how to get your photos featured? I've noticed that portraits of one flower or leaf are snoozers for you guys. All I get are snores (no comments, and very few "likes.") Close-in shots of plant combinations, same thing. But you seem to love outdoor living areas and unusual plantings or ornaments, especially if they're home-made. Whimsical garden elements always generate a smile, too.
Keep the feedback coming!
Re: The flower gardens at Old Westbury
Tractor1,
posted: 9:08 am on October 7thI understand your frustration with the image resolution. Until about 6 months ago we didn't even have the current functionality on our websites that enlarges the images when you click on them, so readers were unable to view the fine details in images at all. Though the blog posts allow image file sizes up to 4MB, there is a built-in limitation of 800-1200 pixels for width and height. Most days, I need to reduce the size (and quality) of the photos by at least 65%. This image-size limitation is one of the projects our developers are working towards eliminating (since our magazines and websites focus on details and high-quality images)--hopefully, we'll be able to roll out this upgrade before the year is out.
Re: Scenes from Millenium Park
I think that's the guy from the extreme left side of the photo! I can't figure it out...
posted: 1:49 pm on September 26thRe: Feelin' the heat...
dashwp-- email me at mgervais (at) taunton dot com
posted: 12:35 pm on September 19th(Don't know why I'm going to the trouble of disguising the email address...)
Re: Repurposing architectural details in the garden
This is what hapens, folks, when you try to take photos in full, blazing sun - the colors come out all wonky! That arbor IS white...
posted: 1:19 pm on September 14thRe: Les Quatre Vents - Cross if you dare
Thanks, oldsquaw! I definitely do. Unfortunately, though, I didn't take any of these photos from Les Quatre Vents. I've never been to this awesome garden, but I hope to in the future. One day...
posted: 9:33 am on September 7thRe: A different perspective, just as good
Don't take it personally, Bob. It doesn't ever remember me, either, and I work here! We're working on getting that fixed.
posted: 10:03 am on August 24thRe: Plant Fever Cured By Heart Attack
I feel that way about Solanum quitoense, even years after I first saw it. It's an annual, so I have to search for it every year, and I get a bit obsessive... I even had trouble finding it mailorder this year! I finally found it at Atlock Farm in New Jersey. I've made such a stink about this plant at one of my local nurseries that they want me to bring it in so they can see it.
posted: 2:32 pm on August 23rdRe: A different perspective, just as good
Oh, and so sorry this went out late today, everyone - there was a glitch on our system last night. Should be all patched up and ready to go for tomorrow morning!
posted: 12:56 pm on August 23rdRe: A different perspective, just as good
Ha!! I'm guessing some sort of aroid - maybe an arisaema - before the berries turn red. Anyone else have any idea?
posted: 12:54 pm on August 23rdRe: Topped off with plants
Chanticleer is in Wayne, Pennsylvania, about 1/2 hour from Longwood. SOOOO worth the extra time, boards.
posted: 10:21 am on August 18thLooks like that vine is tropical and not definitely not hardy in Minnestota, TheNatureofRita. Bummer. But I'll bet it would be worth it to grow it as an annual!
I do wish they labeled more of their plants, Annedean, but I also find that their lack makes me enjoy the garden for what it is, to stop looking for labels and just take it all in. It was an adjustment for me, because I'm obsessed with knowing the Latin name of every plant on earth (ha!), but now I love this about Chanticleer.
Wittyone, there wasn't really a place to put your hand, but you walk so slowly down these stairs, taking it all in, that I didn't seem to need it.
Kris--tahnks so much for the ID! Sounds like you love this plant...
Re: Two mystery plants at Longwood Gardens
Happily_Gardening, I think you've got it! Portulaca molokiniensis seems like a good match. But WOW, I cannot find a source for it online... I'm rarely stumped for a source, darnit!
posted: 3:06 pm on August 10thButterfly leaf plant is giving me just as much trouble... I think I've lost my plant sourcing mojo! :-(
Re: Garden visiting through the eyes of a 5-year-old
Thanks, Paiya! Her dad's genes don't hurt. He's a web producer over at FineHomebuilding.com, as well as a carpenter and ornamental blacksmith. She can't help but be creative!
posted: 8:42 am on August 4thRe: Garden visiting through the eyes of a 5-year-old
Thanks everyone! Kaia took about 25 shots that day (I need to teach her how to take HUNDREDS in a day, like me--yow!), and these were the best. She's definitely a visual kid. I'm so proud! I think a new and better camera will have to be on Santa's list this year...
posted: 12:29 pm on August 3rdRe: Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
I'd like my robot to mow in the summer and water my houseplants in the winter. And perhaps some light housekeeping. I am letting him stay inside for the winter, after all...the alternative is standing in the corner of the tool shed for months on end with nothing to do. It's cold out there. Oooh, but there's snow-shoveling! This daydream keeps getting better and better.
posted: 2:33 pm on July 29thRe: White cushions--impractical but gorgeous
littleloiee--thanks!! So glad you like the GPOD! Unfortunately I have this feeling it might be hard to get in touch with Linda Allard to ask her for sources.
posted: 3:38 pm on July 26thlovemyyard--I have to disagree. During the visit I got a chance to meet Linda, and she was incredibly gracious. I believe she helped design her home and her garden, and she obviously loves it. She was willing to share information with anyone interested, which was so nice. I do think that a showplace and a home can be one and the same, especially if it's the home of a seriously talented designer.
Re: Perfection is boring
wwross--Yes, I thought a picture change was due... that said, I hate every picture ever taken of me!
posted: 9:16 am on July 22ndgottagarden--my hoses are NEVER coiled. My husband hates it. But I've been testing this ultra thin hose for the past couple of days, and it's SO much easier to wrestle. I might start being a bit neater. But probably not.
Re: Ouch!
Haha! Kimpansy..... bad, but oh-so-funny! Sorry gottagarden... I hope your friend's thumb is OK! Yikes!
posted: 9:13 am on July 22ndRe: What would you do?
Great ideas, everyone! I love this type of post, where everyone gets to weigh in with a solution to a design problem or helpful suggestions. Unfortunately, they're much harder to come up with than you'd think. I'll keep my eyes open for more examples like this.
posted: 9:40 am on July 20thRegarding this one, according to their website, this garden is maintained almost completely by volunteers, and I'm amazed at how much they accomplish. Kudos to gardeners who work for free, just for the love of it!
Re: A walkway amongst the ferns
bamboomary: I have a LOT of mint, but no, not quite that much!! Let's just say I'm the source of all the mint that Fine Cooking Magazine uses when testing their recipes... I did know someone once who had a FIELD of mint! It was so much fun to walk through.
posted: 11:57 am on July 8thTeriCA: It was actually kind of cool to discover the little creek halfway across the walkway.
Re: A walkway amongst the ferns
The creek is very small and runs through the middle of the ferns. Maybe a foot or two wide.
posted: 8:47 am on July 8thRe: Free at last!
LindaBrandon--email me directly, and I'll check with my editor. Thanks!
posted: 8:18 am on June 30thRe: Cornerstone Sonoma: Where Art, Imagination, and Plants Come to Play
Both times I've been to Cornerstone it's been 20 minutes before closing time, so I didn't really get to experience it. The glimpses I had were enchanting! I can't wait to visit again, making it a destination, not a stop along the way. Thanks for your perspective!
posted: 12:17 pm on June 20thRe: Repetition is the key to happiness
I'm not sure what the underplantings were. It was a few weeks ago, and things were still really small. I wish I'd taken a closer shot so that we could figure it out!
posted: 1:28 pm on June 7thI think you have to consider the location when you take in these pots. This isn't a home garden by any stretch of the imagination (well, I guess it was at one point! Unimaginable.). Longwood is for the most part extremely formal, which makes this repetition appropriate.
I love it, but I can see why it left some of you cold. But oh, if I could have only one of those containers! (I would definitely turn it into a fountain...)
Re: Frogs from another dimension
Ah-HA! Found a source: http://www.cowpainters.com/unpainted/unpaint_frog.htm
posted: 9:21 am on May 26thRe: Gingers that every gardener should grow
Peaceofpie, definitely visit Dumbarton Oaks!! (http://www.doaks.org/) It's so wonderful. Also, I highly recommend the Smithsonian gardens on the mall (http://www.gosmithsonian.com/museums/smithsonian-gardens/).
posted: 8:51 am on May 26thgrayjohnson, I've never heard of these wild gingers being invasive, and they're not listed as invasive on the Invasives Atlas (http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/distribution.html). Have you had trouble with them?
Re: READER PHOTO! Hens and chicks in a cage
Thanks, Jan (blondeartist)!!
posted: 9:40 am on May 3rdRe: READER PHOTO! Hens and chicks in a cage
Hey all! I emailed Jan to let her know that you're all desperate to know how she created this. Hopefully she'll find a moment today to let you know. Stay tuned!
posted: 8:53 am on May 3rdRe: Behold the giant milkweed!
So sorry, DreamGardener - I should have mentioned that the giant milkweed, where hardy, can reach up to 12 feet tall.
posted: 8:26 am on April 28thRe: Wisteria at Dumbarton Oaks
Peaceofpie, I did a little research on the Dumbarton Oaks website, and it looks like they used mainly Wisteria sinensis. Good thing they have a full-time gardening staff on hand to keep it in check, eh?!
posted: 11:09 am on April 6thhttp://www.doaks.org/publications/doaks_online_publications/PlantBook/BFPlBk5.pdf
Re: Creative tree-training?
Peaceofpie, definitely see Dumbarton Oaks! It's one of my favorite gardens, and right in the middle of D.C. Here's the website: http://www.doaks.org/gardens/
posted: 8:16 am on March 18thRe: How aggressive IS it?
Hey all,
posted: 11:20 am on February 3rdSo it looks like it was a good idea to pull this plant from our last issue, based on your comments! One of our GPOD readers, Barbara Littlefair, lives up near Cornell Plantations and decided to contact them to get their feedback on the plant. Here's what Mary Hirshfeld, Cornell Plantations' Director of Horticulture, had to say about this planting:
"The planting pictured was originally the multi-colored cultivar 'Chameleon' and what you see in the picture is an entirely reverted mass planting that became solid green. Because this plant is so tough, and that spot is very hot and dry, I chanced putting the Houttuynia there. However, because it is very difficult to get rid of, and spreads with dangerous velocity if not physically confined, I decided it was not a good idea to promote this plant. Our Plant Health staff were able to entirely eliminate this mass planting with two summertime applications of RoundUp applied one month apart, and I have replanted the area with a mixture of sedums and grasses. I would NEVER recommend this plant to anyone unless they were using it in a container, or as you describe with your sunken pot for mints, very carefully confined."
Thanks, Barbara and Mary!
Re: Keeping cool in a Charleston courtyard
Thanks for the photo praise, wGardens & arboretum!
posted: 1:42 pm on January 17thCaiside - here is a similar fountain that you don't need a pool for:
https://www.charlestongardens.com/index2007.cfm?categoryID=82&productID=663&action=display.product&isSearch=true
Re: Remember what spring feels like?
Hey all! Glad you liked this dose of spring. I emailed the Canterbury School (http://www.cbury.org/), where this shot was taken, and the nice guy at the other end said that he thinks these are hybrid Chinese apple trees, and that they're over 50 years old. He'll try to get more info. If he does, I'll pass it along!
posted: 2:35 pm on January 14thRe: Kicking off year #2 of the GPOD!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, you guys! And yes, annuals rock. Especially perilla!
posted: 2:35 pm on January 4thRe: There must be a word for this
ah-HA! Thanks, glennt!!
posted: 11:09 am on December 16thRe: There must be a word for this
rwotzak, here'a a source for small trees: http://www.woodlanders.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=231
posted: 11:07 am on December 16thThey also have it at that twilight zone nursery we visited last year...
Re: READER PHOTO! A lawn of thyme
soilgoil, I wonder if corn gluten would be a good option for you??
posted: 2:51 pm on December 6thhttp://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h531cornglutenmeal.html
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/corn-gluten-meal.html
Re: READER PHOTO! Jumbo caterpillar
Framework, I'm not sure. I'll bet the coleus needs pruning to keep it in check, and the sweet potato vine would need to be quided, but the ajuga and fountain grass would be pretty self-sufficient. Fun!
posted: 10:15 am on November 24thRe: READER PHOTOS! More fun from NYBG
kaygraves, check out the Wikipedia info on Dale Chihuly here:
posted: 12:40 pm on November 23rdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Chihuly
Re: Let Mr. Spock Choose Your Plants
Very logical Billy. And that's a compliment, coming from a Star Trek fan...but I am NOT a Trekkie!
posted: 12:07 pm on November 12thRe: READER PHOTO! Another great native groundcover
Thanks, Genevieve!!
posted: 12:01 pm on November 12thRe: READER PHOTO! Another great native groundcover
CollinsLG - I tweeted your question and asked the twittercerse of gardeners for some suggestions for Zones 8-11. I'll keep you posted!
posted: 10:14 am on November 12thwwross - try the following mail-order sources for C. canadensis!
https://plantinfo.umn.edu/sources/sourceresult.asp?plantid=&fgsid=8706&genusid=1491&searchType=sourceresult.asp&plantName=cornus%20canadensis
Re: Go native!
stanhorst & SunnyDispo - It's hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9.
posted: 9:18 am on November 9thstormy853stormy - I'm guessing it might be a bit sunny for this plant in those spots.
forestdiety - While Japanese pachysandra (P. terminalis and cvs.) is considered invasive in Virginia, and aggressive elsewhere, the plant featured today (P. procumbens) is the native alternative, which is not considered invasive.
Re: Pink on pink
Reggie - I've heard that it helps to thin out the stems of your plants in spring to increase air circulation. There are also a few new varieties that are supposedly more mildew-resistant than most.
posted: 12:26 pm on November 4thRe: Running out of room for plants?
Plus I ADORE corrugated metal.
posted: 12:43 pm on October 25thRe: Running out of room for plants?
Debra - I can totally see where she's coming from. I couldn't stop peering at it from all angles. It was an intricate landscape, and I wanted to keep exploring the textures and colors for hours! I do get the same feeling from flying over the Rockies. Mesmerizing!
posted: 12:42 pm on October 25thRe: A simple garden screen idea
I got the feeling they were just an interesting, temporary decorative feature. They were definitely fabric, and I think bamboo poles.
posted: 8:39 am on October 22ndRe: Off-roading in miniature
Thanks for the ID, littlegreenthumb--I was guessing some sort of Saxifraga, but wasn't sure enough to include it in the post!
posted: 9:53 am on October 19thRe: A peculiar pairing of peachy plants
Unfortunately, no, but I'm guessing they're 'Coppelia' sneezeweed and 'Peach Melba' nasturtium.
posted: 1:23 pm on September 20thRe: READER PHOTO! A happy accident in hypertufa
I love the vertical stones set in the middle of the design!
posted: 1:33 pm on July 28thRe: A garden gate fit for a....gardener!
Ooooh, so jealous, Rebecca! Tell them I say hello!!
posted: 2:27 pm on July 23rdRe: A garden gate fit for a....gardener!
No worries, you'll definitely be seeing more of this garden in FG in the next year or so! In the meantime, here is another GPOD from the same garden.
posted: 1:20 pm on July 23rdhttp://www.finegardening.com/item/14406/whisper-soft-texture-at-dusk
Not enough, I know!
Re: Evenings are the best
Gorgeous!
posted: 11:18 am on July 2ndRe: #ff = Follow Friday on Twitter!
Now see? I knew I was going to forget someone. Cristina, you're definitely worthy of the list!
posted: 10:08 am on June 9thRe: Pasadena Open Days Tour Part II - Urbanite!
Great post, Billy! I'm one of those weird women who finds real excitement in the potential contained within the walls of a building supply shop. The only think more exciting is FREE raw materials! Urbanite is just a great idea, on so many levels.
posted: 9:56 am on May 10thRe: READER PHOTO: Shades of blue and gray
I'm fascinated by that salvia! Those beefy purple leaves - very cool!
posted: 10:09 am on April 8thRe: In A Dinosaur's Garden
Awesome, Billy!!
posted: 5:00 pm on March 31stRe: Deep red equals high drama
Canase, this photo was taken at Longfellow Gardens in Minneapolis. It's a gem of a garden in the middle of town that I stumbled upon by accident a few years ago. The gardeners there do amazing things with annuals!
posted: 10:21 am on March 25thRe: It's all in the details
Not at all, Stan. They're just stacked. If they fall over, they fall over. Then there's an opportunity to do something different!
posted: 10:13 am on March 2ndRe: Medusa, garden-style
Thanks, guys! It's been tons of fun digging through the photo archives. Got any special requests?
posted: 3:43 pm on February 11thRe: My favorite Fine Gardening articles ever!
Well, you'd better get cracking, Steve, and kick out an awesome article or two, fast! In the meantime, what are your favorite articles??
posted: 9:49 am on November 14thRe: Common Name Conundrums
Almost!! Fascinating, though. Still working on it...
posted: 2:42 pm on July 8thhttp://lakecounty.typepad.com/life_in_lake_county/2007/03/a_tale_of_two_s.html
Re: Finally! A plethora of attractive rain barrels
OK, now that I've been clued in that a rain barrel is called a "water butt" overseas, I have a few more to share!
posted: 4:58 pm on June 29thGreat shape & color:
http://www.oaklandsplastics.com/water-storage-rainwater-harvesting/water-butt-bell.asp?Mn=33
LOVE the coordinating watering can!
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200410&pf_id=LS3077D
Beautiful!
http://www.guardianoffers.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/guardianoffers/_pml0000636/-/Large-Water-Butt-(220-Litre-Capacity)
Wall mounted and reminiscent of a wall-mounted mailbox
http://www.gonegardening.com/xq/ASP/dept_id.5002/pf_id.990176/referer./qx/gg_shop/product.htm
Roman temple, anyone?
http://www.getethical.com/products/7863/500_litre_column_water_tank
And finally, from my buddy Ryan (@RyansGarden) on twitter. I'm not sure if I should thank him or yell at him! You'll see....
http://www.waterbutts.com/Butt/index.html
Re: Flowers From A Bad Sci-Fi Flick
Visiting Wave Hill in the Bronx several years ago, a gardener in the parking lot just about tackled me and made me swear to go find the Puya in bloom. Had never heard of it, but judging from his excitement level, the Puya was worth searching out. So I go trekking through the garden, past the visitor center, across the lawn, through the house and cafe, and onto the patio, & there it was! Metallic teal, indeed! Took tons of photos. Such a great plant.
posted: 1:47 pm on June 22ndRe: I love my Dutchman's pipe!
I haven't noticed any seeds, but if I did I'd send some to you! In the meantime, here are some links to mailorder nurseries that offer it:
posted: 10:25 am on June 15thhttp://www.arrowheadalpines.com/vines.htm
http://www.gardenvines.com/shop/other-species-9/aristolochia-macrophylla-28.html
http://www.diggingdog.com/pages2/treesvines.php
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=537
http://www.goodwincreekgardens.com/
http://www.sunlightgardens.com/lists/search_results.html
Re: Stay the *bleep* away from my peas!
Did you really take that picture? I don't believe you took that picture. It's too darned funny!!!
posted: 6:04 pm on May 15thRe: You Want To Paint My What?
Amen, Billy!! When I see a huge swath of lush, weed-free lawn, I'm not soothed. I immediately get all stressed out thinking about the lawn mower, the chemicals, and the work involved. I have an itty bitty little lawn, but I give it tough love. No water or fertilizer. I save money, time, and my conscience. Not lookin' so hot come August, but I don't really care. It always makes it through that hot spell and comes back green.
posted: 3:05 pm on May 7thRe: garden design NE Ohio
Hey - this garden looks familiar! Loved it then and love it now.
posted: 11:35 am on January 7thRe: Planterly Combinations
Awesome plantings, Michelle. I'm coming out there this spring - maybe we can tour some gardens together!
posted: 3:31 pm on December 29th