A few weeks ago, frequent GPOD contributor Cherry Ong took us along on her visit to Bellevue Botanical Garden in Bellevue, Washington (GPOD on the Road: Bellevue Botanical Garden) but she sent too many photos to share that day, so we’re going back today to see some more of the beautiful images of this inspiring public garden.

This is a really beautiful Rudbeckia hirta (Zones 3–8). Sometimes these forms with a green central disk are called “green-eyed Susans.”

What interesting and unusual flowers! I think this might be a form of phlomis, possibly Phlomis samia (Zones 7–10). The color is so lovely; it would be beautiful in a flower arrangement.

Fading coneflowers (Echinacea hybrids, Zones 4–8) are backed up by the grasslike foliage and beautiful yellow flowers of a Crocosmia (Zones 7–10).

A hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3–8) in peak bloom is surrounded by daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids, Zones 3–9), Crocosmia, and Agapanthus (Zones 8–10), all of which have beautiful grasslike foliage as well as their showy flowers.

Except for the hydrangea in the background and the splash of blue from the willow gentiana (Gentiana asclepiadea, Zones 3–8), this display is all about foliage, combining different textures, sizes, colors, and variegation to make a beautiful picture.

Sometimes no flowers are needed at all to make something perfect, as demonstrated by this gorgeous little container for shade. This planter contains perennials, shrubs, and annuals to create a combination of long-lasting color as well as provide a bright splash for the summer.

I love a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the garden.

This modern meadow planting combines grasses and other perennials to create an airy, informal display.

Beautiful, broad stone steps are softened by the big mass of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9) at the top.

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.

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