My name is Bill Hodgeman, and I’ve been gardening on my property in Sunderland, Massachusetts, since 2015.
My neighborhood was a swamp for thousands of years, then before it was developed, a lot of clay was brought in from Connecticut. So the ground is very nutritious, somewhat poorly draining, and difficult during periods of drought. I have brought in a lot of composted manure to make the soil more pliable. As a result, things grow very well—often quite a bit larger than advertised! But I love gardening here.
In June, I try to work with a restrained color palette. The front of my sunny borders is dominated by May Night salvia (Salvia nemorosa ‘Mainacht’, Zones 4–9 ), ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta × faassenii, Zones 4–9) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis, Zones 3–8) this time of year. Peonies (Paeonia hybrids, Zones 3–8), poppies (Papaver orientale, Zones 3–7), bluestar (Amsonia, Zones 5–8), and baptisia (Baptisia, Zones 3–9) provide repeating, contrasting elements. The effect is quite lush! You’ll notice ‘Diabolo’ ninebarks (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’, Zones 3–7) and Ogon spireas (Spirea thunbergii ‘Ogon’, Zones 4–8) in some of the pictures as well.
The color from the big masses of purple ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint is echoed by the darker purple May Night salvia and contrasts with the brilliant orange poppies.
White Oriental poppies with contrasting dark centers.
Blue baptisia and bluestar in the foreground, with the dark leaves of ‘Diabolo’ ninebark in the back.
Detail of a peony blossom opening.
A yellow peony (looks like the variety ‘Bartzella’) with the soft yellow-green flowers of lady’s mantle.
Spires of May Night salvia in a sea of lady’s mantle.
Ogon spirea has bright yellow-green foliage. Here it contrasts with the dark foliage of ‘Diabolo’ behind it.
Another mass of Ogon spirea sets off the plants around it.
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Comments
Great stuff, Bill! Awesome greens. Love the chartreuse element. The lady’s mantle works so well. Looks like it helps to bring everything together
I really love the yellow peony...It's one of those things that are supposed to be easy and I have a difficult time with. I'm envious of the space you have to create mass plantings. The contrasts are so well thought out.
It looks like a fun garden to spend time in. Great work!
Gorgeous combos! Love the lush colors and textures. Part of my garden is also in a former swamp, so it is always interesting to see what others do in these conditions.
To those who are interested, Bill was featured in 2019 also. https://www.finegardening.com/article/playful-and-peaceful-garden-design
Thanks for that info "Treasuresmom"
Love how the spirea works so well with the other plants/colors.
Great garden Bill, congrats! Thanks for sharing!
Gorgeous garden - your hard work amending the soil has obviously been well worth it! Love the purples with the orange/red of the poppies.
I really appreciate your "restrained color palette for June"- dominantly lavenders and blues with only accents of contrasting yellow and orange, just enough so one's eyes are dazzled by the contrast...and also your attention to foliage color really works beautifully!
You're garden is like art, like a painting- the way you planned your beautiful colors and compositions.
Super beautiful!
Lovely. I share many of those plants. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful, I adore poppies, don’t know why? Love the purple, I just planted 3purple salvia, I hope they display like yours…thank you for sharing
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