We’re back today visiting with Susie Zimmerman in her beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska, garden.
The garden beds are planted densely and are overflowing with flowers. Just because you garden in a cold climate doesn’t mean you can’t have incredible gardens.
Susie calls her husband “the Undergardener. He’s contributed a lot of hard work in the creation of these beautiful gardens.
And wow, has that hard work paid off! Flowers are everywhere. In particular, notice the towering blue spires of delphiniums (Delphinium elatum, Zones 3–7) you can see in the back of the beds. It is possible to grow delphiniums in many climates, but they reach their peak in the very cool summers in places like Alaska.
Moose visiting in the winter are browsing for something to eat. They are just as annoying as deer, only bigger!
A rock garden is full of interesting plants as well as interesting rocks.
Shades of white, silver, and pink make a soft, romantic cloud of bloom.
Russian arborvitae (Microbiota decussata, Zones 3–7) tumbles beautifully over the edge of the pond. This low-growing conifer is native to Siberia and so takes the Alaskan winters in stride.
Looking down from the house at the beautiful gardens
Lilies (Lilium hybrid, Zones 3–8) in the most romantic possible shade of delicate pink.
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.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Comments
So very lovely!
Absolutely beautiful ! The more we grow , the more we grow!
It is almost an addiction --- and certainly not a shameful one. Keep up the great work --- it always pays off , and then WE get to enjoy the fruits of YOUR labor . We , of course , have to settle for pictures but there's no shame in that either.
I do believe someone will be motivated by your gardens . I refuse to believe that no one will plant SOMETHING in response to viewing your property .
Be proud --- you BOTH deserve it . Peace from the Mohawk Valley in central New York State .
Thank you for sharing your amazing gardens and house!!! What a gorgeous place you have created!!!
...so many gorgeous views! I know it took a lot of planning and hard work. Thank you for sharing.
Again - just WOW!!! Your under-gardener is worth every penny you pay him... : ) Everything is perfection.
Y'know, I thought I was engaging the Undergardener to tend to the hardscape and heavy lifting. But one year when I was kvetching about not having any space suitable for growing the fabulous Dr. Seus-acle angelica gigas he had the temerity to suggest about 4 potential locations! Pretty cheeky, for an undergardener (but he was right). Yeah, if I paid him he'd be worth it for sure.
I've heard about Delphiniams growing as tall as your's but never seen them before- wow- spectacular!
I also love the Bell Flowers along your path!
I just love your Alaskan garden!
Another smile inducing photo display of your robust Alaskan gardens, thank you for letting us peek into your world! You both must get so much joy from your property and gardens during your incredible summers, we all understand the hard work it takes to create such beauty. Thanks for the quick tour, it was so much fun!
5 Star job!!!! Enjoy your beautiful gardens and thank you for sharing.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in