Today’s photos come from Sharon Weiser of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mine is a country garden at heart. In Zone 5, my garden is a mix of sun and shade, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs. It includes a wooded garden, a vegetable garden, a cutting garden, and an herb garden on an urban lot. I have been gardening for close to 40 years but have had to leave a couple of beautiful gardens behind due to moving. This is a young, three-year-old garden. One of the reasons I bought this house was because the building was here and I knew it would make the perfect “she shed” to hold my antique garden collection.
For the Garden Photo of the Day, I have decided to focus on two sides of my she shed. I have always been drawn to old architectural pieces. Notice the arch on the shed and the iron porch pieces at the corners. The walkway is lined with lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, Zones 4–8), while the daylily ‘Autumn Minaret’ (Hemerocallis ‘Autumn Minaret’, Zones 3–9), yellow blooming tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Gold’, Zones 8–11 or as annual), Yucca ‘Color Guard’ (Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’, Zones 5–10), and globe blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’, Zones 2–7) are highlights.
I also have a small greenhouse made of old windows, which is surrounded by ‘Angelina’ sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’, Zones 5–9). In other areas of the garden, I use a variety of old grates as my stepping stones.
I believe one’s personality should shine through in the garden. I hope my sense of humor is recognized in small touches such as the necklace on the Garden of Good and Evil statue (see bottom photo) and the “goldfish” in the birdbath (above).
I love the fun of how the mirror reflects the garden back to me.
The east side of the walk to the she shed is anchored by a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 6–8), with Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Zones 4–8), gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’ (Gaillardia × grandiflora ‘Mesa Yellow’, Zones 4–9), and Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’ (Zones 9–11 or as an annual) at its feet. I find treasures such as the old bird bath and old birdhouse at garage sales and flea markets.
The entrance garden to the she shed has a large blue pot as a focal point. The pot is planted with canna ‘Pretoria’ (Zones 7–11), ‘Kirigami’ ornamental oregano (Origanum ‘Kirigami’, Zones 5–8), and Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Red’ (Zones 9–11 or as annual). Coleus ‘Ruby Slipper’ (Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Ruby Slipper’, Zone 11 or as annual) and variegated tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica ‘Monarch Promise’, Zones 8–11 or as annual) surround the pot. The coleus picks up the hues of barberry ‘Orange Rocket’ (Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’, Zones 4–8) on the opposite side of the walkway.
Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Zones 7–10), Siberian larkspur (Delphinium grandiflorum ‘Diamonds Blue’, Zones 4–7), and Pacific Giant delphinium ‘Blue Bird’ (Delphinium elatum ‘Blue Bird’, Zones 3–7) echo the blue of the pot; the perfect foil is heliopsis ‘Burning Hearts’ (Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Burning Hearts’, Zones 3–8). Other featured plants in this garden are feather reed grass ‘Karl Foerster’ (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 5–9), Little Lemon goldenrod (Solidago ‘Dansolitlem’, Zones 5–8), and boxwood ‘Green Velvet’ (Buxus ‘Green Velvet’, Zones 5–8).
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Comments
Ms. Weiser, Your garden has a lot of originality packed into what appears to be a small area.. The reflection in the mirror & the spots of blue in every photo are little touches that make your garden terrific. Thank you & good luck, Joe
I do love blue! Thank you.
Ms Weiser: I just love it all, out of this world to be sure. Fantastic. The greenhouse is great. Well Done!!
Thank you for your kind comments. I have enjoyed the little greenhouse. Decorating it for the seasons.
It is all beautiful but that last pic is the best.
That is a different side of the garden shed. I like creating different spaces.
Your garden is Delightful (I'd use all caps but that might look like I'm "shouting") in all imaginable ways, Sharon. Your sense of whimsy comes through loud and clear and all those fun and creative touches are just waiting to be discovered by garden visitors of any age. You grow smiles as well as plants! Love that we got to see a peek of you in one of the pictures that include the mirror...you look very color co-ordinated with those vibrantly hued coleus.
Thank you for your kind comments. It is easy to doubt ourselves. But, I have decided to do what makes me happy. I had bor even noticed myself in the mirror ?
I enjoyed your photos very much. I am sure your gardens changed considerably in the 3 short years at your current location. Of course, your lovely plants really shine but all the added garden art , etc., really adds to the appeal. So much to look at! Would be grand to visit you and your gardens! Thank you for sharing!
You are always welcome to visit. There is nothing I like more than sharing our gardens and love of gardening.
Sharon! I may be echoing Michaele, But the first word that came to mind was delightful! It’s so nice to see your personality come through. I love going to garden is like this and seeing a surprise at every turn. You are extremely creative and it shows. Thank you for sharing with us.
I love personal gardens. Thank you for your comments. ?
Sharon, your fun-loving personality shows itself in every aspect of your lush gardens. They are delightful and certainly brought a big smile to my face this Monday morning. It's quite obvious you love what you do and I'm sure the birds, the bees and the butterflies enjoy the feast you have provided for their travels!
Thanks Sheila. I do love it all. It is true my love of gardening began with plants. But, I am so thrilled with the other joys the planting’s bring to my environment.
beautiful. love the little shed with the angel
Thank you ?
I have come to the party late, but must tell you, Sharon, that I enjoyed every view of your garden, shed, greenhouse and delightful garden art objects. You have a touch all your own and I love it. You have been very busy the last 3 years and the rewards are breathtaking.
Your whimsical, beautiful garden must surely be home to quite a few fairies... : )
wow! wonderful it is really very nice garden............... all pics are nice.......
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