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Wife_Mother_Gardener

Julie Witmer, PA, US
member

A crazy gardener in PA, zone 5. This year I have made a web journal of our small-corner lot garden at

http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.com/

Reader of Fine Gardening magazine for many years.

Subscribe to my RSS Feed

Contributions

Early Tulips

Apr 14, 2011

This is the first year for Tulipa 'Ice Stick' to be featured in our Hill Garden.  They have been enjoyed, especially since we are behind in our bloom schedule this year.

Purple and Chartreuse

Apr 14, 2011
1 comment

These pictures were taken at the Phipps Conservatory Spring Show this year.  Tulipa 'Blue Spectacle' sits amoung the maidenhair ferns and heuchera in the East Room. This dynamic combination of...

Sea of Crocus tommasinianus

Apr 14, 2011

I had just pulled in to the garage, home from my trip to the grocery store, and the gloomy, wet light was too perfect to pass up... like tiny purple brush strokes... sheets of Crocus...

Shade Tapestry

Apr 14, 2011

I love the early blues of the Iris reticulatas.  Here is 'Cantab' adding a blue mist to the Mid-March display on our Shade Path.  A very pleasant scene to view while bundled for a little...

First spring robin

Mar 10, 2011

"Look, Mommy! It's a robin!!" Grace, my four-year-old, pointed out the window as she sat at the table eating breakfast this morning.  "I'll grab my camera!"  That was me, of course. It...

Crocus tommasinianus

Mar 3, 2011

The self-seeded Crocus tommasinianus is beginning to come out in our Woodland Garden though it is still pretty cold weather.  I caught these open in a couple of sunny hours in the middle of the...

First Flower of 2011! PA Zone 5

Feb 18, 2011

   With beautifully warm temperatures yesterday (nearly 55!), my four-year-old suggested that we take a stroll around the garden and see if anything is in bloom yet.  And just a few...

Fairy in the Snow

Jan 31, 2011
2 comments

When the first snows fall, I grab my camera and capture the first "snow flowers" of the season.  These were both taken in our front yard near our Hill garden.  Rosa 'The Fairy' astounds us...


Recent comments


Re: READER PHOTOS! Lotta's garden in Sweden

Beautiful! It looks like a wonderful place to relax and live.

posted: 7:00 am on May 25th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! The Jeli Botanical Garden in Hungary

Eva, Thank you for sharing this beautiful garden! It is inspiring.

posted: 10:37 am on May 22nd  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Christine's garden in Illinois

I love your pairing of the red and yellow lilies with the white daisies. Great job, Christine!

posted: 6:58 am on May 21st  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Nancy's tree peonies in New York

'Phoenix White' just so beautiful. I love it with your ground cover underneath.

I just planted my first tree peony. Wish me luck!

posted: 11:13 am on May 16th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Connie's garden in Minnesota

Just beautiful! I love it. This reminds me of a lot of Sussex Prairie Garden in the UK. Your flower colors are wonderful together, but I also like the structure you have added like the arbor as a door into the mowed grass path. Wonderful job, Connie!

posted: 7:23 am on May 4th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Sally's garden in Maryland

Beautiful Sally! Wonderful borders with color and interest. Thanks for sharing!

posted: 8:05 am on April 16th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Harriet's garden in Maine

Wonderful job! I love it.

posted: 8:18 am on April 6th  

Re: READER PHOTOS: Brenda's garden in Georgia, Day 2

I love the snapdragons with the tulips and the lady... she is holding her arms just perfect for walking through such a field. Brilliant Brenda! You have a gift for including ornaments in the garden.

posted: 7:49 am on March 29th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Brenda's garden in Georgia, Day 1

Wonderful spring, Brenda! I have enjoyed reading all about your garden these past months on your blog. So much nice structure to show off your blooms!

posted: 7:52 am on March 28th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! James's garden in California

Beautiful scene with the tall lilies by the fountain. Thanks for sharing, James!

posted: 11:33 am on March 19th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Ana's garden in Portugal

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing Ana.

posted: 11:51 am on March 15th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Bonnie's garden in Georgia

Bonnie,
Your pond is so well executed! Beautiful and natural in its setting.

posted: 11:36 am on February 24th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Sarah's garden in Maine

I love your path through the grasses, laitris and heleniums... perfect for an informal meadow planting. Great job, Sarah!

posted: 8:54 am on February 23rd  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Barb's garden in Wisconsin

I LOVE the planting with the trillium... beautiful!

posted: 8:53 am on February 16th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Phillip's garden in Alabama

The blue irises in front of the wall are captivating. Beautifully done!

posted: 2:37 pm on February 14th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Denise's garden in upstate New York

I love the position of your Aralia tree! A beautiful finish for your path.

Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful, hard work, Denise!

posted: 7:10 am on February 13th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! More from Terie's garden in New York

Beautiful! I love the goats beard by the white bench. Lovely place to spend an after noon.

posted: 10:17 am on February 10th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Carol's garden in Georgia

I love the flow of your first garden design... just beautiful.

posted: 10:06 am on February 2nd  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 3: This and that

Tim, If you look at their native environment they tend to like their soil a little more on the damp side. If your boarders are well drained, being up on a hill, then that might be your issue. I have not even attempted them at my house because I know that they would dry up, along with most woodland treasures that I admire so much. My soil has been well amended, but is set up off the street like yours, and very dry though we live in western PA (not far from you!).

I have truly enjoyed seeing your plantings this week! Thanks for sharing!! Julie

posted: 2:58 pm on January 27th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 3: This and that

Wonderful plant selections! And love the rhythm to his boarder in the first photo. Great job, Tim!

Happy Birthday Michelle! Hope you can get out and enjoy it a little!

posted: 2:44 pm on January 27th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! More from Sara's garden in California

I love the view to the sky in the last photo. The structure frames it perfectly.

posted: 8:43 am on January 13th  

Re: READER PHOTO! Mary Jane's garden in New York

Wonderful planting design... the astilbe look like lace among your green foliage plants. Beautiful!

posted: 9:01 am on January 5th  

Re: The GPOD's 2nd birthday!

What a wonderful idea, Jane! I love how you have turned a large, unused section of driveway into a beautiful dry garden. Inspiring!

posted: 9:30 am on January 4th  

Re: Happy New Year!!

I am with Lisianne: another try at filling the basement with thriving seedlings this spring! And also adding more self-sowers & annuals to add complexity to my summer and autumn gardens.

Great resolution, Michelle! Happy New year!
Julie

posted: 11:53 am on January 2nd  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Odile's garden in New York

beautiful work!

posted: 2:09 pm on December 26th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Sara's garden in California

I love the view to the sky past the arbor in the third shot. That is a technique used frequently at Hidcote Manor gardens. Great design!

posted: 9:47 am on December 21st  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Cheryl's garden in Ohio

Lovely combination. I like how you combine perennials with annuals. Great work, Cheryl!

posted: 7:57 am on December 15th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Kielian's garden in Montana

Wonderful successions! You have used your space to the max. Great job!

posted: 8:50 am on December 9th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Michael's garden in Oregon

Wonderful gardens! I love the cornus bush in your boarder. It really lightens everything.

posted: 9:33 am on December 7th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Linda's Garden in California

Beautiful combinations! Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!

posted: 5:52 am on December 6th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California, in full fall color

Wonderful garden, Pauline! Beautiful foliage choices and I love your water features too.

posted: 8:46 am on December 2nd  

Re: Autumnal colors in August

Beautiful combination! Love all the peachy tones.

posted: 9:12 am on November 29th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Pauline's garden in California, revisited

Sounds like a garden in which I would enjoy spending a day! I love the birch trees with the fall color.

posted: 11:54 am on November 21st  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Michaele's garden in Tennessee

I just saw a fantastic combo with this grass and Verbena rigida. (http://www.rhonestreetgardens.com/2011/11/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-november-15.html)

Beautiful photos. It looks like a very well designed garden. Great job!

posted: 8:52 am on November 18th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Nancy's garden in New York

I am surprised these grow so far north, though clearly they are happy! What is their hardiness zone?

Absolutely beautiful!

posted: 8:54 am on November 16th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Sheldon's garden in the Catskills

I love birch trees! very pretty.

posted: 7:05 am on November 15th  

Re: READER PHOTO! Marilyn's garden in Washington state

beautiful!

posted: 8:03 am on November 11th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Eamonn's garden in Oregon

Beautiful! Wonderful uses for the trees, bushes and grasses of the season. The good design really lets all of these plants shine. Great job!

And what a lovely Monet bridge!! Perfect setting too.

posted: 9:27 am on November 8th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Viktoria's garden in Connecticut

Wonderful work, Viktoia! This is so much more satisfying than more lawn!
I love how the white daisies tie it all together with repeated groupings and by echoing the color of your fence. Beautiful.

posted: 7:26 am on October 21st  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Brenda's garden in Georgia

Brenda,

Beautiful... all of it! Your containers are so wonderful for the fall season. Looking forward to reading more about it!

Julie Witmer
http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.com/

posted: 8:13 am on October 19th  

Re: AUTUMN GRASSES

That first photo is magic! I love the September light in your grass plumes! It encourages me to keep thinking about where I can add some more grasses in my garden. Thanks!

posted: 2:48 pm on October 18th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Julie's garden in Pennsylvania

Thanks everybody for your very kind comments on our garden!

As a mommy to three little ones, I do most of my gardening during afternoon times. But it really is my reading about all sorts of gardens - public and private - that fuels me to keep trying to better my plant combinations and succession plantings.

It is so encouraging to us home gardeners to see other home gardens done in spare time with limited funds! (My plants all come from our small-town nursery and from searching big-box stores bargains, for example.) But it is also so valuable for us to look, and spend time, at public gardens and see what we can learn from them. We are all in the pursuit of creating Beauty, after all!

Thanks,
Julie Witmer

posted: 2:25 pm on October 18th  

Re: READER PHOTOS! Leslie's garden in Colorado Springs

I love the first photo with the yellow daylily and laitris together! And also the Agastache by the fountain. Beautiful plant combinations!

posted: 10:23 am on October 12th  

Re: The flower gardens at Old Westbury


A wonderfully romantic garden! I especially like the garden wall walk. And the green/blue gazebo!

Where is it located?

posted: 2:25 pm on October 7th  

Re: Garden visiting through the eyes of a 5-year-old

That is wonderful! Glad you get to spend time with your daughter like that.

My little girls favorite thing to do is take pictures with me our garden. It is precious time together.

posted: 9:16 am on August 3rd  

Re: A followup on the heavenly hell strip

That is great. So nice to have people who like to make the world beautiful.

posted: 9:53 am on August 1st  

Re: A truly grand garden tool shed

That is really neat. Thanks for sharing!

posted: 2:15 pm on July 25th  

Re: What would you do?

I like the serene look of this spot.

I think a vertical spike of some sort would be best. At least a cordyline in the pot, at most grass or even a dwarf Japanese maple tree.

posted: 8:17 am on July 20th  

Re: Spring in Arizona

Love the lily emerging! Great light.

posted: 1:32 pm on April 18th  

Re: Spring, we are ready for you!

Great photo!

posted: 1:31 pm on April 18th  

Re: Spring awakenings

Amazing wisteria arbor!

posted: 2:51 pm on April 15th  

Re: Buzzing into spring

Great shot.

posted: 9:07 am on April 14th  

Re: in my garden

What tulip is this?

posted: 10:53 pm on April 11th  

Re: My garden

I love the fritillaria and the iris. Both are unusual and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

posted: 10:22 pm on April 11th  

Re: Fresh Spring Day At The Lily Pond

Beautiful!

posted: 10:16 pm on April 11th  

Re: At the top of my spring shopping list

I have just purchased seeds to start C. cordifolia this year. Anyone have sowing advice?

Beautiful plant.

posted: 7:24 am on April 5th  

Re: Bleeding Hearts

Beautiful! Great photo.

posted: 7:36 am on March 31st  

Re: Harmonious hues

Beautiful color echo. Great idea.

Thanks!

posted: 7:35 am on March 31st  

Re: First Green

Beautiful shot! Very fresh.

posted: 8:12 am on March 24th  

Re: Highlighting a gorgeous tree

I love birch trees! Hope to have room for one someday... and beside the stairs is a great idea instead of just using a space filling evergreen.

posted: 8:10 am on March 24th  

Re: READER PHOTO! Drumsticks and coneflowers

Thanks for sharing, Greg! I love the strong punctuation of round flowers.
And the colors of the rhubarb and allium are great together.

posted: 10:23 am on March 23rd  

Re: Cool and soothing

I love the maidenhair fern with the Phlox! Lovely and fragrant combination!

posted: 8:28 am on March 17th  

Re: The first blooms!! March in Minnesota

I love iris reticulata! They are so enjoyable at this time of year.

posted: 10:50 pm on March 7th  

Re: READER PHOTO! Spring blues

Glad you enjoy it!
Happy to get to share.

This is the first scene in a succession planting in this Hill garden. See the June scene here where it adds the roses, daisies and mallow:

http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.com/2011/02/favorite-garden-combinations-of-2010_15.html

thanks,
Julie
"Wife, Mother, Gardener"

posted: 10:48 pm on March 7th  

Re: Royal Fern

Lovely photo... I love when the ferns start!

posted: 1:36 pm on March 3rd  

Re: Lenten Rose (hellebore)

The center is really stunning in this variety. Thanks for sharing!

posted: 1:32 pm on March 3rd  

Re: Soon it will be Spring in Marshallton PA

Thanks for sharing. It is encouraging to see more of spring in PA!

posted: 1:31 pm on March 3rd  

Re: READER PHOTO! Spring reflection


Beautiful. Just Beautiful.

Excellent photo. Thanks for sharing.

posted: 8:10 am on March 3rd  

Re: Garden in Winter photo contest WINNER!

Lynette,

Excellent photo. The light is so dramatic, which is so much of the beauty in great photography. You captured a great winter moment. Congratulation!!

posted: 9:45 am on February 21st  

Re: silently sleeping

Beautiful photo. Gorgeous color.

posted: 8:24 pm on February 17th  

Re: Garden in Winter 2nd runner-up! Winter Grasses

Yeah! I love this one. Great job capturing the moment.

posted: 8:31 am on February 16th  

Re: Northern Michigan Lavender Garden

Beautiful job... definitely has a designer's eye... I love how the red tones in the grass, sedum and your pergola echo each other...especially in the midst of the sea of purple lavender...

posted: 10:01 pm on July 19th