Happy Monday, GPODers! As always, I hope you had a lovely plant-filled weekend.

Today we’re jumping into a garden with a deep history and plants that hold many stories. Sima Kazarian sent in these photos of her mother-in-law’s garden, sharing the incredible story of the community that made the space what it is today.

Hello,

I am sharing my mother-in-law’s garden photos.

The garden is located in a beautiful Lithuanian village. It was created year after year by the women who lived here. Almost a hundred years ago, a teacher planted fruit trees. War, empty house. In 1997, a new owner—also a teacher—starts a fire in them. She plants flowers and bushes with a simple love for nature. She and her mother create a simple but very cozy garden. Witch wrapped in thuja. Sinavadis (Lithuanian for Aquilegia), peonies, rhubarb, fern, boxwood . . .

This garden, as well as my photos, is not about professionalism, but about life together with plants. They feel good here and it shows. 

Steps into the garden and lush plant life from all angles. A fabulous fern and boxwood make a great green backdrop for ‘Pink Petticoat’ columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Pink Petticoat’, Zones 3–9).

Yet another stunning columbine, this one I believe is ‘Blue Barlow’ (Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Blue Barlow’, Zones 3–9). The well-weathered wood of the home behind also making a striking backdrop. A truly beautiful representation of what Sima mentions above, “life together with plants.” When we plant and grow thoughtfully, the harmony we create with the nature around us is magical.

Dense plantings of peonies and even more columbines turns this part of the garden into a forest of flowers. A meticulously maintained garden is always impressive, but I have a particular soft spot for a more wild, natural feel.

What an incredible way to grow clematis. I do see one leg of a potential trellis hidden inside there, but this planting looks anything but man-made.

Lastly, an incredible rhubarb on the edge of this dense forest. Growing plants that look as good as they taste makes your garden doubly enjoyable.

Thank you for sharing your mother-in-las incredible garden with us, Sima. It’s always a special treat to see familiar plants in a faraway garden.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

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