Today we’re visiting the garden of Carol Ann Bell in Greenville, South Carolina, with photos sent in by her friend Ellen Kirby:
My garden has been a respite during the 30 years we have lived here in Greenville, South Carolina. As my three children grew up, I had more time for gardening, although I have worked hard to accommodate children and grandchildren in the garden. I caught the gardening bug from my mother in eastern North Carolina, where she was an avid gardener. One of the tips she taught me was how to propagate hydrangeas from cuttings. This involves choosing a healthy stem and putting it in a pot until it develops roots, then transplanting into the garden. Because of this lesson I learned as a teenager, I now have many hydrangeas in a multitude of different varieties.
This trellis was built to my specifications by a local carpenter for my daughter’s wedding. The roof was designed to remind me of the tobacco barns in Eastern North Carolina. The roses are ‘Zephrin Druin’, one of the only roses without thorns. My latest love is the hydrangea ‘Shooting Star’ (Zones 5–9), which I discovered as a potted plant in a grocery store in December. I babied it until spring, when I planted it. It has now grown as tall as this trellis and with a multitude of blooms.
‘Shooting Star’ hydrangea
This sundial is surrounded by an unusual lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, Zones 5–9).
Hydrangea macrophylla, Zones 5–9
Multicolor ‘LA Dreamin’, which grows on new and old wood, prolongs the bloom period through the summer.
‘LA Dreamin’
A copper pipe was used to create the arch on which an akebia (Akebia quinata, Zones 5–8) grows. I prune it to keep it from trailing into the woods. In the foreground is Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Zones 3–9).
My grandchildren gave me these tulips, along with a sign they painted.
Every spring I make this begonia wreath from a wire frame, sphagnum moss, and soil.
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Comments
The shooting star hydrangea is beautiful, and so is the wreath. Very nice garden.
Those hydrangeas - magnificent!!
So nice to see a garden from this region. Gardens of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama just don’t have enough internet presence. Yours is beautiful. I think I’ll try the five leaf akebia in my woodland Augusta garden.
Wow the sitting area with the arch of akebia (Akebia quinata) is perfect!!! A statue, benches, stone walls, woodland view, oh I love it.
And enjoyed your story of being a teen gardener learning how to root hydrangeas!
Oh I'm saving the vine seating area photo!
Dear Carol Ann,
Your garden is absolutely lovely. I am particularly inspired by your begonia wreath. I hope to try making one soon. Thank you for sharing.
Sallie
I think you should be crowned the Hydrangea Queen, your's are truly beautiful Carol Ann. I'm also very impressed with your begonia wreath, what a great idea! You have a beautiful garden, you must smile all of the time. Lovely.
Your garden is absolutely glorious! It must be a wonderland for your grandchildren. Everything is beautiful and I'm going to get a shooting star hydrangea now.
The beautiful sign that your grandchildren made you must make you so happy! The sign is a priceless gift from the heart and it looks wonderful in the gorgeous tulips.
So very very lovely.
Love your garden and love Hydrangeas. That Star Hydrangea I saw at our local grocery store "Wegmans" and I just eyed it and said maybe next time....that was 3 years ago! I should have bought it! Yours is beautiful!!
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