Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD in the Road: Mendenhall Gardens

a garden where trees grow upside down

upside down tree planted as a container with overflowing flowers

We’re traveling with Deborah Dorman today, who is taking us to Mendenhall Gardens in Juneau, Alaska.

masses of yellow flowers growing between large rock formationsA flurry of golden bidens flowers (Bidens ferulifolia, Zones 9–11 or as an annual) accentuates the beauty of these rock formations.

close up of blue lobelia flowersBlue lobelia (Lobelia erinus, annual) is a beautiful little plant that thrives best in cooler temperatures, so it is a perfect choice for an Alaskan garden.

display of very lush, floral hanging basketsA spectacular display of hanging baskets is overflowing with petunias (Petunia hybrid, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).

upside down tree planted as a container with overflowing flowersOne of the iconic features of this garden is the upside-down tree planters. These are actual tree stumps, pulled up and flipped over in the ground and then used as planters on the top. What a beautiful and interesting way to use something that otherwise would have just gone into a wood chipper.

close up of waxy red flowerAn abutilon (Abutilon hybrid, Zones 8–10 or as an annual) shows off a brilliant red flower. These shrubs are sometimes called “parlor maples” for their maple-shaped leaves and the fact that they were once popular as houseplants.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/21/2022

    The bidens are amazing!

  2. User avater
    simplesue 10/21/2022

    Love those "golden bidens flowers" amongst the rocks...looks so natural and amazing!
    The clever upside down root planter trees are an eye catcher!

  3. btucker9675 10/24/2022

    What a fabulous garden!!! Those hanging baskets with the parasols - wonderful. And the upside down tree planters! The folks who work there are super creative. Thank you so much for sharing this!

  4. [email protected] 10/24/2022

    Thanks so much for sharing a garden many of us won't have the opportunity to visit in person! Maybe if I take a cruise...

  5. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 10/28/2022

    Great photos! Thanks for taking me on a virtual tour :)

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