Be prepared to swoon. Christopher Garland sent in some images of his garden featuring gorgeous and creative combinations that will have you weak in the knees. Here’s what he had to say about it:
We acquired this 15-acre property in the Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, four years ago. The previous owners devoted 20 years to establishing the gardens we enjoy today. We have become friends with them since purchasing the property, and they have told us the decision to sell was made easier when they met us, knowing the property would be nurtured and loved as they had done for many years.
This particular garden contains a long list of plants that provide year-round interest. Its peak display is in the spring, but the garden remains attractive throughout the summer and fall with its combination of shapes, colors, and textures.
We have recently expanded the area inside the deer fencing to approximately 4 acres to allow for more gardens. Are we mad or just addicted to gardening?
Layers of color from shrubs make the foreground to the house.
Rhododendron ‘President Roosevelt’ (Zones 7–9) has beautiful flowers in spring and incredible variegated foliage all throughout the year.
Spring color at its finest! In the foreground are white double wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal’, Zones 4–8) and blue lungwort (Pulmonaria sp., Zones 2–8 ). In the background are bright purple-and-yellow primroses (Primula, polyanthus group, Zones 5–9).
In summer the show goes on, with colorful foliage and summer-blooming perennials and shrubs.
Who wouldn’t want to have a picnic dinner on this beautiful patio, surrounded by lovely plants?
The driveway winds through lovely garden beds.
Sometimes green is enough, as contrasting textures and shades of green fill this planting with interest even when the flowers of spring are long gone.
Of course, in spring, color is everything! Shades of pink and white ring in the new gardening season with joy.
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.
If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.
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Comments
Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your fabulous garden with us. Kudos to you and the previous owners for developing and maintaining such awesome gardens and property. Truly a paradise!
Wow! These gardens are gorgeous. Such a great property to be able to love and enjoy.
Very pleasant garden. It's great you assumed the role of preserving and growing the garden. How fun to have so much space to play with. I can only begin to imagine.
Good morning, Christopher. I can well imagine how much it meant to the previous owners to have an equally addicted gardener take over ownership of this beautiful property. It looks like you have done a wonderful job maintaining it and making it your own. And, now, the addition of 4 more acres of planting area will be the icing on the already gorgeous cake. Love that variegated foliage of the rhodie 'President Roosevelt'.
Christopher, it is wonderful to see the results of such careful planning, preparation, and planting more than 2 decades into the process. Your pictures really invite us into your gardens. Thanks so much for sharing your playground and paradise.
What a privilege to become caretakers to an established and beautiful landscape, with the opportunity to make it your own as you explore, change and plan!
Totally off topic but I noticed your Instagram pictures of podophyllum show them surrounded by stones. Why?
I'm not quite sure who received the biggest gift when you purchased your 15 acres... you or the folks that initially created the beauty that surrounds you every morning when you open your eyes. They must still grin from ear to ear knowing that their passion is continuing to be lovingly appreciated. Lucky all of you!
What an incredible garden/property! You have truly kept the faith with the original owners' vision and hard work. I think gardening is both madness and addiction, especially when I'm covered in sweat, dirt and have an enchanting mix of sticks and bugs in my hair... my husband is a real trooper to have stayed with me for 40+ years!
A wonderful garden where plants have been allowed to reach their full potential.
Good afternoon, Your gardens are amazing. Every vista is terrific & cover worthy.. Thank you sharing your gardens & good luck Joe
OMG, I LOVE IT BEAUTIFUL
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