meander1

Lotta, your garden is the very definition of charming and lovely...so many idyllic spots. No wonder it is so beloved by you and family. You are obviously a very worthy owner of a garden that has proven to be timeless.

Judy, your pot compositions are beautiful...each one an individual work of art and all clustered together a masterpiece! I particularly like the one with the tall burgundy spiky plant ( a millet?) with the accompanying dark sweet potato vine.
What is probably most impressive of all is that you start most of your plants from seed...wow! Also, thanks for sharing your fertilizing routine. Speaking for myself, I always slack off on that part of things and frankly, by the middle of summer it shows. Maybe this year, I'll be a better pot parent. Hmmm, looking at that last sentence, I think I should swap out the word "pot" for container!

Judy, your birdhouse lined garden pathway is thoroughly delightful. You have a wonderful diversity of plant selections and everything seems so robust and healthy. I love how the birdhouses provide a unifying theme and inspire the eye to keep looking up and down and forward.
And, yes, those rows of iris are beautiful. What a treat it must be to attend your festival... I'd be there at the crack of dawn (or however early you open the "gates) to enjoy taking it all in!

Well, for me, such perfection is a treat to see even if it's only via pictures. Each click flooded my senses with delight and appreciation...for the beauty of nature and mankind's urge to enhance when possible. Some of those rhodie blooms look like exotic orchids.

I really like how naturally your clumps of red asiatic lilies are spread throughout your garden...they look like kisses left by Mother Nature. A special thanks for including the id on the lime green spiderwort. I was initially puzzling on it until I saw that you shared the info. It is very bright and eye catching. Your whole garden gives off a happy vibe!

What a fun, novel idea! Oh, sure, there might be some practical considerations that could make it have a downside in actual use but the idea and look of it is so darn appealing. I'm a sucker for creativity.

Bravo to Cindi and her husband for being such ingenious recyclers! We should always keep our eyes and minds open to the concept of reusing. The corn crib given a second life as a gazebo is a real delight and, I'm sure, always a fun topic of conversation to new visitors to the garden.

Tree peonies are almost decadently sumptuous...the blooms so large and lush! Yours are gorgeous. I love how you have mirrored the design and color scheme of your porch and your fencing...it is understated and yet striking.

There can never be enough visits to Pauline and Irvine's garden. The woodland area is truly a paradise and Mother Nature must feel very well rewarded with the partnership. That thick clump of Ostrich Fern is particularly beautiful to me although I love it all.

I'm with you, Cand...the combo of chartreuse and purple can't be beat.

Everything looks lush and bountiful. The bearded iris are majestic. What is the chartreusy leafed plant in the last picture? Is that the perennial geranium that GrnThum made reference to?

What a wonderfully informative tutorial you have given us, Dan with your very thorough plant identification info. I was not familiar with some of the plants that seem to thrive in your heat and dryness.
Love the Tasmanian tree fern. How large does it get?

This is truly a particularly lovely pond and your surrounding plantings are perfect. Talk about a setting to enjoy a "staycation"!
I couldn't help but notice the clarity of your water...seems like you must have done everything right to achieve the right balance. I'm sure many of us would like to know if you have a special filtration system or simply an especially good relationship with Mother Nature?

Yes, my immediate thought was to wonder if Cherry had ever entered (and WON) the FG container gardening contest. Her plant compositions within each pot are masterful and then the effect of the pots clustered notches up the impact significantly.

I think tractor1 nailed it! I, too, find them all totally captivating!

Goodness, if you put the same kind of effort into your teaching as these pictures show you have in your gardening,then there have been 30+ years of my fortunate young people! I am sure that is the case.
Your dahlia hedge is amazing and I, too, would delight in sitting in front of the fireplace and feasting my eyes on that rainbow of colors.

Wow, wow, double triple WOW...your meadow is spectacular! You and Mother Nature are a dynamic duo.

Kielian, your flowering almond bushes are particularly lovely as their enchanting pink blossoms catch the eye throughout your garden. Perhaps you feel towards them the way I do towards the redbud trees whose bloom period seem to put an exclamation point on the fact that spring has really arrived here in the east.

Ahh, the good life...it doesn't get any better!. I have a little plaque hanging outside my back door that says:
"My goal in life is to be the person my dog thinks I am"...
not a bad aspiring principle!

Looks like a wonderful piece of property for either energetic or lazy walkabouts. Love the fact that there are welcoming seating areas and interesting garden features to explore.

I am captivated by that amazingly large leafed plant on the edge of the pond. It is positively sumptuous! I hope Ann will share the name of it.

Kathy, my heart, too, felt a pang of empathy at the thought of you saying goodbye to this beautifully tended garden. However, you seem to have a good attitude and, just as our gardens have their seasons, so do our lives. I hope the new owner of your place has a generous attitude and lets you take memories galore...meaning lots of carefully dug out divisions. Happy gardening creating your new oasis.

Adorable...I would be immensely pleased if they were my idea and creation!

That look greats and opens the door to thinking about variations on the idea using colored glass or broken pottery.

I felt my morning brain cells ping with delight at seeing this one...very fun! And it does make me think about what I have laying around that could be given a second life.

I would like to visit the Mannis Gardens in Knoxville TN. I always like to visit open gardens in my area and this one sounds like it has some interesting features.

Oh,terieLR, my heart feels a jab of concern for your garden being hit with this onslaught of snow. You sound heroically chipper. I have my fingers crossed that damage will be minimal. It was close to this time last year that my part of TN got hit with brutal spring storms and incredibly damaging hail. My hosta ended up in tatters and it was just sad.
I especially like the watering can tuteur...what a fun, novel way to display a collection of anything.

Gorgeous garden. I love everything pictured.I experienced a serious pang of daylily lust at the one you featured in the closeup, Nina. Do you happen to recall its name? Besides being a wonderful color, it has such great substance and petal frilling.

You are so lucky to live near such a lovely public garden. I just visited their website and it seems like they have much to offer.

What a beautiful piece of land you own,Brooke. Those kinds of rolling vistas are priceless and sing a song that touches the soul. You must wake up every day energized by your partnership with Mother Nature. It's so gratifying to have a passion and when it's gardening, every little effort is so worthwhile. Enjoy your canvas.

GreenGrowler and Happily Gardening, thanks for the welcome back good wishes. I'm stuck on the sidelines for a while since I wasn't fortunate enough to have the nasty old gallbladder removed laparoscopically. However, on the plus side, I get to be a visitor to my own garden and just stroll about. I am NOT allowed to bend over and weed or move a hose. This is a very novel experience!

Eva, it is readily apparent that you are an artistic person who creates beauty in any medium. Your 'Fairy Spring' photo is a delightful composition and would be stunning as a framed wall poster.
Love all the distinct and intricate little groundcovers in the rock garden.

Sally, your garden is pure enchantment and looks like the wording on any invitation it issued would be, 'welcome and come get lost amongst my beauty'. I love the generous proportion of your patio. What a glorious vantage point that provides to soak in all those lovely curving bed lines.Your tapestry is a triumph!

Grrr, Michelle, I have been in the hospital all week and have missed one of the best stretches of east Tn gardening weather. I'm just so glad I was very industrious before this glitch hit me. Now I would like to be home and enjoy some walkabouts!. I'm supposed to have the at fault gallbladder removed this afternoon. Let's hope it happens (ha, crazy thing to wish for...yes, please cut out my organ).
Anyway, thanks for your good wishes.

That really is a wonderful story, Harriet and I'm so glad you wrote in more and shared some additional pictures. The fascinating thing is how when your garden is in bloom there really is no strong sense of its original rectangle footprint. The design you gave your pathways create the pleasing curves that always give a garden extra visual appeal. Your plants look supremely happy and seem to thrive on their great view.The difference between that concrete swimming pool as opposed swaying colorful plants against that stunning backdrop is so dramatic...guess which one I like best?!

John, your pictures were just what the doctor ordered to make me feel less punished by being in a hospital room on a beautiful spring morning. I'm a few hours away from gall bladder removal surgery.
Your plant combinations are all wonderful and work together beautifully. Love that last shot of the Russian Sage and Coneflower...they are definitely 2 plants that always play nice together.

Susan, your garden is enchanting. You obviously have a very successful recipe for making lemonade out of lemons. It's amazing how much color and vibrancy your beds have inspite of not having an abundance of full sun perennials.
And, oh, I know what you mean about the clean up chores associated with those large magnolias. Our property had 2 to start with when we moved here and I'd feel traitorous getting rid of them since they are healthy. But they do take a lot of work.

Harriet, I love your boldness in chucking the pool and turning the space into a colorful island of flowers. I, too, share your addiction to daylilies. The breeders are doing some amazing things in their hybridizing efforts. Sometimes when I look at the pictures of the latest (and most expensive), I almost can't believe they are even daylilies. I know some people would argue against messing around with Mother Nature like that but I find it fascinating that such cultivars are able to be created with human 'assistance'. Anyway, congrats to you on not slave to a swimming pool anymore and instead letting your daylilies call the shots!

It will be fun for all of us to see this garden area evolve so that means future pictures are a must! Looks like this project is very close to a corner of your house so it will be enjoyed from inside as well as out. I find that the bar is particularly high for areas I look out out as I do dishes or sip coffee since I see them even throughout the winter. My mind stays busy throughout the "off" season thinking about how I can tweak them (or do a major overhaul) to make them more to my liking.
Marcia, have you already selected which variety of climatisis that is going to be center stage growing up and through the tuteur?

I guess it is only fitting that the accommodations for dogs belonging to someone named Majestic would be 'palatial'. It cannot be denied that Bucky and Baily won the doggie lottery when they became part of your family, Elizabeth. I'm sure now you cannot imagine life without them!
Love the 'Chocolate Chip' ajuga and your pictures have inspired me to be on the lookout for some.
All of your stone work is beautiful. I'm a big fan of undulating curves and find the design hugely pleasing.

What a lovely, intimate spot. I'm sure it's very gratifying to have created your own personal oasis that is shared by fish, birds, other little water loving critters and, of course, invited friends. Nice job!

I also love the blue accent pieces seen in 2 of the pictures. They stand out and yet are calming and very much fit the soothing vibe of this woodland garden. I really appreciated the additional info Irvin shared on the Japanese maples.

Thanks, all, for indulging my obsession with creeping phlox and understanding why I am so drawn to it this time of year. Vojt, I do have many other perennials planted in layers behind and between the clumps of phlox so I don't feel punished when its bloom time is over. Then the show starts for daylilies, daisies, coneflowers, wonderful self seeding little zinnias, catamint, russian sage... well, there's always something! That's what keeps us all so interested and addicted to our gardening.

I got up this morning thinking. "Oh goodie, more pictures from Brenda's garden" and I was not disappointed! The soft pastels have a very serene appeal and without a doubt, the tulip, Angelique,is thoroughly enchanting.
To gottagarden...I visited Brenda's blog yesterday (really enjoyed it) and in one post, she had a picture of her drill and auger attachment. It looks very effective!
http://www.thegracefulgardener.com/?p=1218

I'm not sure I can find an adequate adjective in the dictionary to describe how beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, incredible, breathtaking (ok, you get the idea) Brenda's amazing (oops, there's another adj.) stone bridge is. And, oh, those bulbs...how rewarding a labor of love is when the results look like that. Last fall, Brenda inspired me to do more with adorable little pumpkins...this fall it will be PLANT MORE BULBS!

Brenda, I enjoyed your blog and think you provide a real service with your advocacy for safe public accessibility for all as well as your passion for gardening.It was very interesting to read why you have the preference for a non power chair and how you have coped with some of the challenges of your situation.

tractor1, when we first moved to our fairly extensive (at least to me) property situation 17 years ago, I got a golf cart and had a 4x4 bed put on it. It has been a god send and I totally identify with your rueful observation that distances get longer as we age...funny about that! I sure know what you mean about how arduous dragging a hose can be if it's over a longish distance...seems like it defies some law of physics or nature about how an inanimate object can get heavier all on its own.

Brenda, on every level your garden is beautiful and is a wonderful example of how nothing need be sacrificed to make pathways safe and friendly for all. Love your touches of garden ornamentation...the happy grinning gnome made me smile in return.
Your story resonated with me on a personal level because my dad was paralyzed from the waist down during my ages of 10 through 21. He stayed housebound and never ventured out. Your reality is so dramatically different and it says so much about the power of the human will. I never thought about it deeply before. Your story will be with me today as I garden. Thank you.

One test for a successful garden is how it fares through the succession of seasons and I give this lovely garden a strong A. And, even though there isn't a picture to show it, I'm sure it holds its appeal blanketed in snow also. There is a restful quality to this area since it is in such harmony with its more natural surroundings. I feel like I can actually hear the gentle and serene rustlings of those gorgeous grasses. I really love the design of the bench...it is very striking.

Sheila's plant compositions, either per individual container or in the groupings of containers, are thoroughly delightful. They are an inspiring reminder not to just think in terms of flowers when putting together the elements for a colorful grouping.

Hmmm, after looking at these pictures, I suddenly felt a hankering for a margarita and some Jimmy Buffet instead of my usual morning coffee and news...I wonder why? What a fun surprise it must be for folks when they see your palm oasis, Bill.
And I gotta' ask, what is pink in the final picture? My initial impression was that you were pulling a tease with a flock of (plastic) pink flamingos and I gave a giggle at your sense of playfulness. But then I looked more closely and couldn't figure out what I was seeing?

Couldn't let such beautiful pictures slip by without throwing in my 2 cents worth (OK since I'm always so wordy...maybe a nickle's worth). I love the contrast of the bountiful hydrangea blooms with the peek of the very lush tropical banana plant leaves...quite an intriguing pairing in the picture which includes the talented gardener herself. I'll bet those adorable stepping stones never fail to evoke a compliment and a smile.
GreenGrowler, how sweet of you to notice I am "off schedule".

Yay, this is just what I wanted/needed to see to further encourage my clematis fever... hmmm, coincidentally, which just happened to come on after seeing Terie's first clematis up the tree photo! I was inspired by Terie's efforts to look at my own areas with a fresh eye on where it would be fun to have some unexpected color heading skyward. Six clematis later (and with a hunger for more), I can't wait for a few years to pass to see how things will look. Thanks so much, Terie!
The blues are gorgeous and I love the double whammy of the one seen from inside and outside.

One of the things I so appreciate about the Picture of the Day feature is the chance to be exposed to what grows in other parts of the country. For some reason, I wasn't expecting to see daffodils and hyacinths in a Sacramento CA garden. James, do help Mother Nature along with some refrigerator time for your spring bulbs?
Your garden is gorgeous and your attention to detail really shows.

I would have a smile of satisfaction every time I came home and turned into my drive.That is a gloriously lush vista to be greeted by.
Looking at those wonderful large mophead hydrangea blooms gave me a trip down memory lane. I grew up on the shore in southern NJ and hydrangeas were definitely the most popular plant. There was always a big week long festival to celebrate them at the height of their blooming season and it was very much an honor for a local homeowner to make the list of "places of note". I think there was also a contest with several categories and the winners got lots of local newspaper coverage. Anyway, Melissa, it looks like you would be a "contenda"!

What a magical walk that must be when the wisteria is in glorious bloom and that heavenly fragrance fills the air!
And the plant in the second picture made me smile because it looks like one of those playful fiber optic light lamps.

Wow, let me add my voice to the chorus of "all that in only three years?!" Bob and Mary Ann must be whirling dervishes of productivity. I especially love the photo that includes the huge panicle of a white hydrangea...could I ask the named variety of that beauty?

Sincerest kudos to Benjamin for so beautifully showing the art of form and function in his approach to gardening. The plants all look very happy in their placement and really serve a purpose.The picture showing the cluster of monarch enjoying the bounty was perfection. GrnThum made me smile with the cute comment about the monarchs singing your garden's praises once their trek to Mexico was completed.

Without a doubt, the yumminess of that purple clematis and peach rose combination is the stuff of dreams.

I felt my blood pressure calm just looking at these beautiful water features...to walk among them must be sublime! I'm sure they provide a wonderful symphony of sounds that is enhanced by all the calls of birds and some croaks of frogs as exclamation points.

The older I get, the more I appreciate well constructed paths that allow me to walk without worry.Belinda's paths are very welcoming especially since there are so many beautiful plants on either side to stay busy looking at.

I, too, was admiring how thick and filled in the golden sedum groundcover is. It certainly likes its location and thumbs its nose at those challenging Kansas weather conditions Cynthia describes. I hope Cynthia treats us to another round of pictures that shows off her butterfly bushes in bloom.

What a wonderfully lush composition of flowers. I especially like the close up of the lavender swamp milkweed leaning down to the black eyed susan...like they are whispering secrets. Ha, maybe gossiping about which visiting butterfly they thought was prettiest!
And like Steepdrive, I, too was struck by the piece of driftwood and how much it reminded me of the arching neck of a heron.

Looks like it should be a wonderful opportunity to see some fabulous gardens. Note to self...mark calender for a getaway to western North Carolina over the weekend of June 23rd. That is a heavenly part of the country with such breathtaking views. I'm sure the local gardeners are inspired by the wondrous vistas created by Mother Nature and all the gardens will be a feast for the eyes.
Thanks for the heads up on this, Michelle.

Thank you, Terie, for being so prompt in providing info on that delectable clematis. I love what it does for that expanse of bare trunk. Now that I know it's not being held in that position by gardening magic or wishful thinking, I do see a faint hint of the metal trellis. After seeing your picture, I went out and prowled my yard looking for a tree candidate to try to duplicate that lovely affect.
And to Happily Gardening as well to you, Terie, I say a humble thank you for your kind words about my expressions of appreciation for the content of the daily photos. It's just such a treat to see all the different ways love of gardening gets put into practice. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could just instantaneously zap ourselves here, there and everywhere for an in person visit to all the fabulous gardens we get to see in these pictures?

Sigh, such enchantment...it doesn't get any better than these alluring shots of Terie's woodsy garden areas.
Question...how is that beautiful blue clematis secured to the tree trunk so it scrambles up so enthusiastically? Also, does Terie happen to recall the name of it?

It was so inspiring to see the before picture since the other five show how worthwhile your efforts were. What a satisfying and delightful view you have from your kitchen window. I love the idea of placing plant material in the birdbath and then having the bonus of rooted cuttings to turn into more plants to take cuttings to put into the birdbath and on and on...
The Jack Frost brunnera is gorgeous!

I'm so glad I clicked on the links provided to see other parts of the Tanner's garden. They certainly do have a wonderful talent for adding those perfect finishing touches. I confess to breaking one of the Ten Commandments when I saw the picture of the enchanting gate made of shovels and rakes...I seriously "coveted" it.

After seeing the previous photos as well as the ones featured today, I am forced to come to the conclusion that Jan is a Gardener Extraordinaire! Her beds are beautiful and impeccably maintained with interesting and harmonious plant combinations. I love her whimsical touches. The pop of color with the chartreuse chair is perfect.
The succulent filled birdcage from an earlier posting is amazing.

Usually I start my day with cereal and coffee...today some welling tears were added to the menu...what a heartwarming tribute to the bonds of family and gardening.
Linda, your mosaic stones are beautiful and especially so because they are made with such love.
Thank you for sharing the journey you are on.

That really is an especially beautiful water feature! I suspect that if I were a guest entering Bonnie's home and seeing that alluring back yard, it would be hard to remain indoors.
It is so wonderful when a property with "great bones" finds the perfect owner like Bonnie. I love the seating areas with the colorful chairs. I would never think to be so bold as to make them different colors but it's very charming...kind of like having Easter all year round.

Besides admiring Sarah's flower packed meadow garden, I got a serious case of soil envy after seeing the second picture down. Wow...talk about black gold...that is some beautiful dirt!
I garden in East TN where red clay reigns and compost additions are essential.
The fish is perfect since he is gazing out on a sea of flowers!

What beautiful sweeping grounds and views. It must be such a treat to get up each day and do a "walkabout" (wrong country but you know what I mean). I love how lush and colorful everything it.

What a mutually beneficial and successful partnership Michael and Gina have established. He does wonderful work and she has great instincts on how she wants things to look. Michael is so right about it being important to pay attention to a client's dislikes when it comes to plant material.
I enjoyed looking at all the garden areas and love the colorful and whimsical decorative touches. This definitely looks like a garden that is going to age well!

Without a doubt, those photos of the cycad are very cool. The opening fronds are beautiful and fascinating with their sculptural curling precision. Mother Nature never fails to impress in her artistry!
I, too, would be interested to know what US state has climate most similar to Rwanda.

Oh, phoo, not that is matters to anyone but I mistyped "fothergilla". I know we all hate when we make a mistake like that.

What an absolutely beautiful area Jan has created in her front entry area. I am enjoying my morning coffee right along with her as my eyes soak up that peaceful setting.
Everything about Jan's gardens communicates a very appealing serenity and yet, it certainly doesn't lack pops of color. Is that red leafed tree that is harmonizing so beautifully with the azaleas a Japanese maple? And, wow, I didn't know fotherfilla could get so large...that one (or clump?) behind the azaleas is stunning.

Barb does an amazing job of incorporating tropical plants into her landscaping. They add so much vibrant color and interest. Question for Barb if she has time to answer: "Do you overwinter your tropicals or go on a fun shopping spree each year?"
Her husband and I are on the same page for loving silly frog ornamentations...love the one taking a rest on the edge of the waterfall.

Yum, yum...am I looking at photos of a garden or scrumptious deserts?
The combination of that weeping butterfly bush and the climbing rose are stunning...just what every gardener dreams of achieving. Your garden is truly a multi season delight, Phillip!

Hmmm, I don't know if this is just a coincidence but Phillip's garden gives off an Italian vibe to me and then, I noticed the name of his town is Florence. So, Phillip, were you inspired by the beautiful gardens of Italy?
I admire his willingness to do such a bold thing as the wall, the large statuary, and the other artistic ornamentation. The generous plant material makes the inanimate objects look timeless and right at home.

Denise's garden is fascinating to me particularly because it seems so much larger than it is. She and her husband have done a masterful job of filling it with many interesting plants and garden features. I love the bench in blue especially complimented by the soft pink of the peonies. This might be a stupid question but has the bench aged to that color or was it helped along?

Although Terie admits to "severe pruning of the wild", the impression is, nevertheless, of a gardener who is getting along gangbusters with Mother Nature. Everything is absolutely stunning! In fact, as I look at these beautiful results, I wonder why I haven't been more ambitious with some of my own somewhat shady areas. I love the airy effect of the goat's beard...I'll bet it is particularly enchanting with a gentle breeze. This garden is perfection!

That was a real treat. Obviously, I loved the pictures but I also enjoyed seeing how you labeled the categories. Thanks so much, Michelle, for putting it together and bringing it to our attention. Do you have a time table in mind for updating it or will it be for that rare occasion when you have something called "free time"?

By not being overly dependent on annual flowers, Eve's planting choices look like they would continue to give their A game throughout the season (Of course, as long as they are watered). I really like the simplicity and blending of color choices. The more serene impression they impart fits in with the gentle calming energy of a shade garden.

What a stunning garden and certainly a testimonial for how colorful and interesting a shade garden can be. The stonework is to die for. I love the inclusion of the colorful large leafed tropical plant that was repeated at least twice in one of the pictures. Everything is perfection!

Yes, in Sarah's words, her trumpet vine certainly did "take off" and it looks like it has been a good soldier in completing its mission...giving her back deck lots of lush privacy. Also, is the beautiful waterfall of tiny white flowers cascading over the wooden fence a sweet autumn clematis? It's glorious!

I enjoyed reading Sarah's reasoning for her plant selections as much as I enjoyed looking at the finished product. She was totally successful in her goal of creating something welcoming and serene. My eyes would stay busy absorbing her landscaping as I walked up to her front door. I really like the massing of the silver artemesia...in fact, I am breaking a commandment by coveting it! One little suggestion...she should keep her eye open for a stunning tallish ornamental pot for that corner on her porch that complements the colors in her plantings.

Graceful lines and chock full of plants...what's not to love! Doesn't look like a weed could even have a thought about moving in.

What an amazing increase in productivity from year 1 to year 2! I would like Andrea to step back in and tell us how she prepared her planting holes...any special additions of compost? And does she do extra fertilizing? The apples from year 2 look large and luscious. Great project!

What a thoroughly delightful project. I can't believe it has been in place for such a short while. It looks timeless. From my point of view as someone who likes to do a little (admittedly, emphasis on the "little") hiking in my neighboring Great Smokey Mountains, Liz did a masterful job in making her stream look very natural.I'm especially impressed that she went to the trouble of adding the tumbles of small size pebbles and the artfully laid tree branch. Small details are often what add up to perfection.

Rebecca's display of hostas are so perfect that I feel like I'm looking at an enticing sale's page from one of the creme de la creme plant catalogs. They are really a feast for the eyes and soul.

Michelle, I wanted to come back on to wish you a happy birthday. I don't know what your big number is but every new decade for me has turned out to have happy surprises!

Also, I can't resist laughing with cwheat000... so funny! I guess if tractor1 plays the Simon Cowell role, that makes me Paula Abdul (hopefully, not as loopy sounding). I do try to see the positive in everybody's efforts because I know and appreciate how much love and passion usually goes in to things. All sorts of factors affect how our finished project matches our vision or the wondrous pictures in magazines and books. But, what the heck, I know we all understand that we do what we can with what we have and,hopefully, we have enjoyed the process.

I've really enjoyed Tim's series of photos. He has some great plants and has reawakened my desire for some of the more recent peony varieties.

Your very successful front yard transformation must have kept your neighborhood buzzing. Your hosta are so robust and healthy looking. What kind of soil/compost did you add after you had your rocks in place? Certainly looks like it had all the magic ingredients in it to make your plants very happy campers.

What a really nice project...gardeners are masters of making tasty lemonade out of lemons! I especially appreciated seeing the before and after pics. I would have thought that the circle of grass would have worked better than it did. Without a doubt, the gravel garden is much more pleasing and interesting.
Looking forward to seeing more of Tim's efforts in the next 2 days.

Goodness, these garden pictures make me feel like
I've stepped into a land of enchantment. Everything is absolutely beautiful and looks to be wonderfully maintained.
I love the plantings along the paver pathway...it's all so serene and welcoming.

Yes, those plant combos are outstanding. The proportions of the pathway to the plantings seems ideal. I felt like I was standing on one of the paver stones and soaking it all in.

That is an absolutely beautiful composition. Everything seems to bring out the best in its neighbor. The gentle delicacy of the Russian Sage adds to the perfection. I hope this grouping is in a spot that Jane sees multiple times a day.

I'm glad that Julia mentioned that she and Jorge do sit on occasion and literally "smell the roses" and gaze upon their beautiful backyard garden as well as the big city skyline. I have a serious case of vine envy...I'm thinking that is a variety of clematis. Am I correct? And, sigh, her hostas look glorious.
When it comes to suggestions, the first thing that came to mind is to, perhaps, not necessarily have the goal of eliminating all grass. I find pathways of lush lawn very attractive and soothing as they curve around flower beds.

It is quite a contrast from then (the earlier shared photos) to now although the happy grin on her big black dog is a constant. Her garden certainly has a whole different look covered by the blanket of snow...nice to have the comforting thought that everything is resting up and will come back to life in another couple of months.

Well, your Wee House is truly the the very definition of adorable. It seems to be tucked into the surrounding trees just perfectly...giving such a cozy feeling. Your grandchildren must love to visit and get to spend time in such an enchanting place. The stained glass window creates a magical spot of natural light. Congratulations on a beautiful piece of work.

What a treat...everything looks beautiful. Hopefully I won't hear loud guffaws of laughter as I voice this query..is New Zealand currently in the middle of it's summer season? I'm thinking yes but my lazy brain is not completely sure.

Uh, oh, an attack of evergreen envy just hit as I looked over this group of photos. I love their varied colors, shapes and textures and they offer year round interest. Add in the fabulous moss covered rocks and you have perfection.

Lola is certainly multi dimensional in her array of talents...her gardening is done with an artist's eye and her painting is done with a gardener's eye. Both are lovely.

Gosh, when you see the see the photos of the bare earth and excavation, you really get a truer sense of what a big project this was to tackle. Sincerest kudos to both husband and wife working together to give themselves what is now a very special spot. The picture of the frog tucked happily in the leaves is adorable.

Marcia sure has lots of plant diversity which has to be very compatible with her desire to live in harmony with Nature. Loved seeing just the hint of the super large leafed Hosta in one of the pictures...it looked glorious!

That sure looks like the good life! I'll bet a well earned dip in the pool feels delicious after putting in a few hours of gardening.

I'm so glad Kielian decided to share the winter pictures. They are truly mesmerizing and such a dramatic contrast to the other set of photos of the garden in colorful lushness. However, both times of year provide images that are a feast for the eyes.

Sincerest thanks to Fine Gardening and Michelle for this very enjoyable feature.Yes, I, too, look forward to starting my day with great gardening pics and a cup of coffee. I have been inspired and humbled by the efforts of others. I love how Jane has softened her expanse of asphalt with such an interesting collection of plants.

I want to be consistently conscientious about dividing perennials to take advantage of the bounty I already have growing. I have some repeat blooming bearded iris that I adore (nothing like seeing a favorite spring friend show up in Nov.) and I need to spread them around to more locations.

Very fun arbor...I couldn't tell from the accompanying copy whether or not the structure was composed of 2 live
plants??? Happy New Year to all my fellow gardeners!

I love when gardening ideas show a sense of humor. The "crocs" as planters are quite fun.

Besides enjoying the pictures immensely,I have learned a new word from Irvin's written commentary...I had never heard of a Machiai. They certainly picked a beautiful location for it as the outlooking views all communicate the wonderful serenity of nature.

Although Odile modestly admits to "trial and error" in her garden efforts, her pictures reveal the end results as delightfully successful. I love all the vibrant purple tones which go so beautifully with the chartreuse and white.

Love the bold color choice for the bridge and tea house accent trim. If Gary is anything like me, he is already envisioning his efforts a few years into the future, when his maples and other plant material have settled into their new home. Gardening is often as much about the anticipation of tomorrow as well as appreciating the reality of today.

What a fascinating garden...it definitely looks environmentally friendly in being plant appropriate for the local rainfall and yet, there is nothing sparse about it. Sara has certainly achieved her goal of providing plenty of visual interest.
Now I'm off to her blog!

Katy and Tom, you do beautiful work and your garden areas brim over with love for the activities of building and planting. The incredibly lush hosta bed looks like a display page in a White Flower Farm catalog. I'll bet your place is an inspiration for your neighborhood.

As I'm viewing these photos of Bonnie's, I realize I have a big smile on my face...I'm sharing the delight she must feel over a job so well done. It's so satisfying to be part of an ongoing property transformation. Of course, it goes without saying (ha, but I will anyway), that I love, love, love that she has bedecked her adorable potting shed in Christmas finery.

Gosh, what a pleasing combination of plants. The Blackie sweet potato vine looks like such a robust exotic...makes me want to try it in the ground next year instead of limiting it to a pot.

Goodness, every vantage point is perfection. I love the calming arrangement of smooth stones at the base of the lantern.

That is enchanting...my imagination wants to tuck in an imaginary elf.

Wow, what a glorious looking garden. The colors seem particularly vibrant and all the plants are so robust and strong. It is all a real feast for the eyes!

It is certainly true for me that my eyes are drawn to the inanimate elements in the garden during the winter as their form and shapes really stand out.
For the past several years, I have used a metal pan feeder with drainage holes that I have attached to a porch railing outside my kitchen table window. I purchased it at Lowes. I use a commercial Scotts Songbird/Colorful Bird Blend product and it attracts cardinals, chickadees, mockingbirds, etc. Sometimes I'll spread a piece of bread with peanut butter and lay it on the pan. That seems quite popular also. This feeder arrangement brings the birds quite close to my view and, fortunately, I don't have them flying into my windows so I don't feel guilty

Not only is Rebecca's mother a talented gardener but Rebecca herself is a gifted writer. Her commentary added a lot to my enjoyment of the pictures.

What a lovely series of pictures...each click on to the next photo was a delight. I can just imagine how pleasing it is to walk along the paths and soak in all that color.

I was deeply touched reading your story especially in view of being in the season of gratitude. You have shown inspiring
evidence of having that wonderful American spirit of
indomitable perseverance...making lemonade out of lemons.
Your new garden areas must give you so much satisfaction. Your front area looks like a living cornucopia...so lush and bountiful!

What a great way to add a little fun color and pizzazz to your garden. Is there a particular kind of adhesive that works
best?

Lots of visual interest. The rich tones of the Pinky Winky
(ha, that's a word twosome that's fun to type) are a great
accent for the begonias.

It really doesn't get any prettier, does it?! The feeling of serenity is palpable.
That clump of the graceful variegated grass (Hakonechloa macra Aureola ??) is truly glorious.

I appreciate the positive comments about my displays of muhly grass. FYI...I don't cut it back as early in the spring as I do my other ornamental grasses since it is marginally hardy for where I live. I think that helps it self insulate and also explains the reseeding. It seems happiest planted near hardscape like rocks and brick pavers where the micro climate is probably 7A.
Thanks to Wife_Mother_Gardener for making mention of the Rhone Street Gardens website. He has wonderful pictures and takes them in such a way as to really focus attention on foliage and colors. I have a Verbena rigida plant that has vibrantly purple blooms as opposed to the soft pink shown in the Rhone Street photo...I think either would look wonderful with the muhly grass. I need to keep that combo in mind for next season's tweakings.

Apologies for misspelling Karin's name.

Karen is right...some of us don't think of CA as having traditional fall color. I confess to being guilty of such an incorrect assumption. Karen's pictures show off all the beautiful warm autumn hues that anyone could wish for. Her yard has some particularly trees.

Oh, an attack of lotus blossom envy just hit me...I don't think there is an easy cure for such an affliction. There is something so majestic about that proud flower floating above the water.
Nancy's blog is a real treat...click on any month and there are wonderful flower pictures to enjoy as well as other interesting subjects.

I love how bold in size and yet subtle in placement this outside mirror is. It looks like it was definitely a two person job to get it safely hung. Marilyn and her very helpful friend should be quite pleased at their finished product. My main reservation about such a feature is the rude surprise I would get at unexpectedly catching a glimpse of myself in all my bedraggled gardening glory...ignorance is bliss!

I never mind if a featured garden has been professionally designed and installed. The final product is still the result of someone's creative aesthetic. There's always the possibility that some element will seem doable for us regular "folks" even if on a smaller scale. I have a generous sized garden and some hardscaped areas have been done by young, capable muscle. Those of us who garden in our somewhat senior years have to be selective in how we expend our physical resources.
Anyway, Michelle, don't be scared off from sharing whatever comes your way. Some rainy day, maybe I'll try to learn how to send pictures your way.

I really enjoyed following the link gottagarden provided and seeing more of Jan's work. It's a rainy day where I am so it was quite a treat to sit at my computer and take a lovely garden tour.

Looks like Eamonn's pond is the ultimate sushi buffet bar for the visiting heron. I know that's the food cycle of nature but the fish are so pretty and colorful, I would begrudge the sharing.

Oh, my goodness...so very, very beautiful. It look like Eamonn, along with Mother Nature, has created heaven on earth.
What are the flaming red tipped bushes behind the white bird?

Nora definitely has the gardener's survival instinct of making lemonade out of lemons. Her areas are very interesting and visually pleasing. Is the plant with what seems like pendulous purple flowers a wisteria?

What a stupendous display... a real feast for the eyes!

What a serene palette of glowing yellows and blues...very pretty.

Wow, talk about something being worth the effort...everything looks so lush and healthy . In fact, because your plant material is so robust, it actually gives off a tropical vibe which must make you feel right at home. I'm so glad you have outdoor seating now so you can enjoy looking at your beautiful hard work while relaxing.

Your lovely pictures show that you walk the walk as well as talk the talk when it comes to good gardening. I can see that texture is an important element in your plant compositions which really keeps things interesting even as the flowers are waning.

So, is commenter JuliaBW correct in identifying the white flowers as Montauk daisies? I love how they combine with the sedum. Are the Daisies in bloom throughout the summer or do they just start putting on a show in the fall?
I am super impressed with how complete Viktoria's garden looks in such a short time. Sure makes the rest of us realize that there is no excuse for not giving things a try!

No doubt about it, Brenda's garden has it ALL going on in the best possible way. It's the kind of garden that you could visit repeatedly and always delight in a new fun discovery.

Big WOW over Brenda's pics. Can't wait to see the next round of photos. Her garden aesthetic is a feast for the eyes. Love the stone work and, well, everything. I am going out today to buy some smallish pumpkins to tuck into container compositions...an adorable idea...thanks, Brenda!

I wouldn't have thought that a tropical like Canna could give off such a great autumn vibe but the colors in your 'King Humbert' are perfect for fall.

That's a beautiful composition of grasses. I have become particularly fond of the Miscanthus variety Adagio. It is large enough to make a statement but never gets so tall that it separates and flops over regardless of what it endures weatherwise. Plus, it does not have a tendency to reseed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour of Leslie's garden areas...a true feast for the eyes! Her fuzzy wuzzy black Chow Chow is posed perfectly presenting a wonderful contrast with the chartreusy lady's mantle and complementing the dark leaves of the heuchera.

You are correct....pictures of home gardens do strike a special chord. I guess we all like to be inspired by the efforts of a "regular" person as opposed to a paid staff of professionals that care for public gardens. Today's picture is lovely and I'm delighted to read that it the Farias continue to be devoted gardeners in their "mature" years. Now that's INSPIRATION!

Love the charming moss accents but had to smile because my husband would be out there with the pressure washer tidying things up in the name of safety!

Chanticleer is one of those garden lover treasures that is beautiful and fascinating regardless of season. Because of
it's wonderful hardscapes, it is even a delight to visit
when much of its plant material is asleep.

Some clumps of Siberian iris would help bridge a color gap between daffodils and daylilies.

I live in east Tn and Russian Sage is the gift that keeps on giving as far as I am concerned. I cut it back in the spring and then, after it's first flush of flowering starts to wane (late July/early Aug.), I cut it back again to get a beautiful fall swath of blue. It spreads and reseeds so I am never without volunteers to start new patches. Also, in late fall, if I can cut a stem and just poke it into the ground or in a pot with potting soil and it roots all on it's own.

I suspect the straight line impression will lessen as your plants get larger and fill in to make a mass of wonderful color. I try to overcome the linear look by going with a drift approach Have one or two singles that extend into a rounding larger number and then taper off again. The Cherokee Sunset is a great selection. Enjoy!