I've tweaked my garden for sixteen years. By mid August, my garden is at its peak, with several varieties of garden phlox (Phlox paniculata, zones 4 - 8) in bloom, as well as shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum, zones 5 - 9), and goldsturm rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm', zones 3 - 9). The campfire rose (Rosa 'Campfire', zones 3 - 7) on the left, had already been blooming for a few months, while the purple monkshood, also to the left, are preparing for their autumn blooms.
Cheri Barnett* is sharing her garden with us today.
Toronto, Canada, is in Zone 5, and we definitely have four seasons! I love to create my ongoing oasis, using a variety of colors and textures, staged against the tall cedar hedge that edges my back garden. The cedars also offer many birds a safe place to frequent the feeders and birdbaths. Our four seasons present conditions for each of my perennials to enjoy a chance to shine!
A large granite rock provides a launching pad for chipmunks to settle on the edge of the large birdbath. While the chartreuse leaves of the spring blooming bleeding hearts provide contrast against the darker magnus purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’, zones 3 – 8), the purple spires of Veronica speedwell (Veronica spicata, zones 3 – 8), add height. Bright pink compact Princess Beatrix hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Princess Beatrix’ zones 5 – 9) is peeking out in front of the grouping of tall purple phlox (Phlox paniculata, zones 4 – 8). Variegated Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium caeruleum ‘Brise d’Anjou’, zones 4 – 8) is in front of the birdbath.
Clockwise, Japanese painted ferns (Anthyrium niponicum var. pictum, zones 3 – 8), and hostas encircle the angel resting under the leaves of tall phlox.
A tall variegated miscanthus grass (Miscanthus sinensis, zones 5 – 9) falls loosely over the flagstone pathway, behind a grouping of goldsturm rudbeckia. In front of the terracotta Buddha head, is a coral bells (Heuchera) ‘June’ hosta, and several small chartreuse hostas. Japanese painted ferns cascade over the reclining angel, with a short fuchsia flame phlox to the left, and pink speedwell spires poking up behind. Various tall phlox provide a colorful backdrop.
The campfire roses are showing their beautiful array of pinks and yellows. Edging the bed are hostas, and a short fuchsia flame phlox.
All long bloomers, goldsturm rudbeckia frontlines my shasta daisies, purple tall phlox, and purple magnum echinacea, in the right corner.
I could say that the party is over, but know that my perennial garden fiesta is just sleeping, awaiting warmer weather, to return. Perhaps it is only me who is impatient for their glorious new show!
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An earlier version of this blog misattributed the gardener. We apologize profusely for this mistake and want to ensure that credit goes where credit is due. This is a beautiful garden, Cheri Barnett, and that’s why we featured it! Please accept our sincerest apologies!
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DeAnna,,, your garden is just beautiful!!! You lawn is so perfectly manicured and acts as gorgeous frame for all your lovely plants! Phlox are so great!, and yours just kind of dance around with their bright colors,, mixing in so well! I also love your mix of roses and hosta together!, no problems with sunburn it appears either! Love your boulder and all the artifacts placed so well throughout! Great shed too! The gray is such a nice color in your yard!, along with the trellis! Beautiful!!
Looks like the stone angels have found their own heaven on earth to spend their time in...lucky them. The view from their lower vantage point has to be equally sublime as ours from higher above. I'm extra impressed that your hosta seems to be so robust and happy growing in conditions that are conducive to Blackeyed Susans and tall Phlox...you must have a real magical touch or the protection of angels.
Actually, now that I think about it, is it a mistake that these garden pictures are being attributed to Deanna Cobb since in yesterday's GPOD, she seemed to indicate that she lived in the deep coastal South? I admit to being a little puzzled. However, I'm never confused about how much I love to see pictures of other people's gardens so it doesn't really matter!
Your garden is one of my favorite kinds! Gorgeous, stunning, beautiful. I especially love the pieces of art and statuary that you have combined here and there as a little surprises. I like doing it too although I’m not sure I pull it off as well as you. Kudos to you!
Lovely, such a beautiful garden, thanks for the nice photos! I can’t wait for summer myself, we are enjoying a taste of spring at the moment, which is very welcome ?
A lovely garden with beautiful use of colors and textures. I'm with you, the last few days in Michigan with 60 degree weather have my garden juices flowing.
Gorgeous garden, beautiful pictures - a perfect antidote to all the grey weather we've been having. Love all your phlox, and the many groupings that you have composed - your hard work and time have definitely paid you back in beauty and joy. Thanks so much for sharing.
Really pretty floriferous beds. So full of flowers and color. The 16 years you have put into creating this Monet-esque garden have been well spent. Even in the winter, under a blanket, your garden is pretty .., set off beautifully by the grey shed, Thank you for sharing it with us.
DeAnna, your garden is absolutely beautiful. Your hard work have really paid off. I love it. Your use of bright color combinations remind me of my garden. :-) Thank you so much for sharing. It was a joyful delight to stroll through your garden photos...especially since it is raining here. February is a hard month for me to....Thank God today is March 1...My spirit is happy....Spring is near. :-)
DeAnna - your gardens are stunning! And an eye candy feast for my winter weary soul. I just can't wait to get back out to mine. Until then I'll keep starting seeds.
Exquisite! Great job there! First: What a wonderful garden shed. I have intense shed envy. And your flowers all look healthy for August when ours start panting in the heat. Your colors are magnificent bursts of pure joy!
Comments
DeAnna,,, your garden is just beautiful!!! You lawn is so perfectly manicured and acts as gorgeous frame for all your lovely plants! Phlox are so great!, and yours just kind of dance around with their bright colors,, mixing in so well! I also love your mix of roses and hosta together!, no problems with sunburn it appears either! Love your boulder and all the artifacts placed so well throughout! Great shed too! The gray is such a nice color in your yard!, along with the trellis! Beautiful!!
Just delightful to gaze at this first day of March after a terribly long winter. Well done!
Sandy Prowse
Fellow Toronto gardener
You have one of my favorite plants Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'. Just have to say any gardener with that is an amazing one.
Looks like the stone angels have found their own heaven on earth to spend their time in...lucky them. The view from their lower vantage point has to be equally sublime as ours from higher above. I'm extra impressed that your hosta seems to be so robust and happy growing in conditions that are conducive to Blackeyed Susans and tall Phlox...you must have a real magical touch or the protection of angels.
Actually, now that I think about it, is it a mistake that these garden pictures are being attributed to Deanna Cobb since in yesterday's GPOD, she seemed to indicate that she lived in the deep coastal South? I admit to being a little puzzled. However, I'm never confused about how much I love to see pictures of other people's gardens so it doesn't really matter!
Toronto is on the deep southern coast...of Canada!
Ah, your 16 years of work have paid off beautifully. Lovely for you; lovely for your visitors! Thanks for sharing!
Love your garden! I can't wait for spring. Soon.
And your shed is awesome.
Your garden is one of my favorite kinds! Gorgeous, stunning, beautiful. I especially love the pieces of art and statuary that you have combined here and there as a little surprises. I like doing it too although I’m not sure I pull it off as well as you. Kudos to you!
Lovely, such a beautiful garden, thanks for the nice photos! I can’t wait for summer myself, we are enjoying a taste of spring at the moment, which is very welcome ?
A lovely garden with beautiful use of colors and textures. I'm with you, the last few days in Michigan with 60 degree weather have my garden juices flowing.
Gorgeous garden, beautiful pictures - a perfect antidote to all the grey weather we've been having. Love all your phlox, and the many groupings that you have composed - your hard work and time have definitely paid you back in beauty and joy. Thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful gardens. Until the last photo, I had no idea of its size. You have packed a lot of wonderfulness in a small space!
Really pretty floriferous beds. So full of flowers and color. The 16 years you have put into creating this Monet-esque garden have been well spent. Even in the winter, under a blanket, your garden is pretty .., set off beautifully by the grey shed, Thank you for sharing it with us.
DeAnna, your garden is absolutely beautiful. Your hard work have really paid off. I love it. Your use of bright color combinations remind me of my garden. :-) Thank you so much for sharing. It was a joyful delight to stroll through your garden photos...especially since it is raining here. February is a hard month for me to....Thank God today is March 1...My spirit is happy....Spring is near. :-)
DeAnna - your gardens are stunning! And an eye candy feast for my winter weary soul. I just can't wait to get back out to mine. Until then I'll keep starting seeds.
Very pretty!
Exquisite! Great job there! First: What a wonderful garden shed. I have intense shed envy. And your flowers all look healthy for August when ours start panting in the heat. Your colors are magnificent bursts of pure joy!
Lovely garden, but this should not be attributed to me, I don't live in Toronto. Thanks, DeAnna
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