We’re in Yorkville, Illinois, visiting with Anita Drendel again. We saw some photos of her garden in the GPOD recently, and she’s back to share more of her favorites from the past few years.
I’m seeing a red theme here—bright red Mandevilla (Zones 10–11 or as an annual) in a red pot in the foreground, echoed by red flowers and foliage from shrubs in the distance.
What a great way to display a harvest of vegetables and herbs from the garden! They are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious and nutritious.
Here’s where some of those vegetables come from—a productive raised bed. This bed is full of cool-season vegetables like lettuce and cabbage, no doubt to be switched out for summer crops like tomatoes and peppers as the weather warms.
A statue helps to water the garden.
Red native columbines (Aquilegia canadensis, Zones 3–8) look beautiful with a deep reddish-brown bearded iris (Iris hybrid, Zones 3–8).
This weigela (Weigela florida, Zones 5–9), in peak spring bloom, is paired with the tall spires of lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus, Zones 3–7).
How’s this for a beautiful garden visitor? A scarlet tanager rests in an oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, Zones 5–9) in May, just as the hydrangea is starting to leaf out.
Spring in the shade garden
Deep purple blooms from Clematis ‘The President’ (Zones 4–8) at the top, and another double-flowered clematis variety at the bottom
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Comments
Wow, I just love that photo of your metal gate with the two Clematis growing so beautifully on it- such a classic photo!
Great photo of a Scarlet Tanager- wow- I've never seen on before!
Your harvest display it fabulous- it's so artistic!
Hi, I love your vegetable wreath, wonderful idea!
Thank you so much. The Clematis is actually one plant, The President Clematis. It blooms singles on new wood and those beautiful double flowers on old wood.
Wonderful garden - that veggie arrangement looks like stained glass, and that scarlet tanager... wow! I've seen them but they've never been still long enough to get a photo.
Every single picture could be a postcard!!! I love them all! Thanks for sharing your beautiful yard!!!
Okay- now I need to add The President to my wish list for clematis vines. All of y;our photos are wonderful, thanks for sharing, and also clarifying the clematis info.
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