My name is Jill Beringer, and I live in a development in Hockessin, Delaware, on about half an acre. I submitted photos once before when my garden was in its initial phase, but my passion for gardening continues! I keep finding ways to add water features and hardscape walls and paths, partly out of necessity (to raise the plants out of my swampy yard) but also for interest. My husband and I have moved over 7 tons of rock multiple times and dug ditches for drainage piping, and we’re still not done. I also overwinter many nonhardy plants in my basement, as they add needed height and color to the garden once they get going again in the spring. But as the trees mature, it’s getting harder and harder to find the sunlight. This, combined with my desire to help the birds and the pollinators, inspires me to keep reducing the lawn area. That means less work for my husband but more for me! It’s a work in progress, but here are some photos of my garden to date.
Here’s a summer view of the garden. Lantanas (Lantana camara) are usually grown as annuals, but they grow into small shrubs in warm climates. By bringing this one inside to overwinter, Jill gets dramatic height out of it.
Spring blooms include dark red primroses (Primula japonica, Zones 3–9). This type of primrose loves moist soil, so it is a good fit for Jill’s swampy yard.
This wider view of the garden in spring includes all the fresh green of new foliage.
In looking from above you can see how much of the lawn has been transformed into garden beds.
A beautiful visitor to one of the water features
Clouds of blue flowers from glory of the snow (Chionodoxa, Zones 3–8) make a beautiful, romantic effect in early spring.
Huge flower heads of smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens, Zones 3–9)
A rich diversity of foliage in the shade garden
Luckily, this is the kind of rabbit that doesn’t eat plants.
Wide view of the shade garden
Comments
Your garden is really beautiful. I especially love the stone work, your primulas (a favorite of mine), and the turtle. Happy gardening!
Thank you- Adding more to the left out of the picture so more natives coming!
Well the one thing I can say is that all that heavy lifting of rocks was worth it! Absolutely splendid. Was such a pleasure to see this especially now. It seems like summer was years ago here in Canada with our frigid weather. Well done!
Thank you- getting our first real burst of cold now! Can’t wait for Spring!
I love your Chionodoxa swath. I am zone 8b and they just won't grow here.
Love your garden. Absolutely beautiful!
Lovely garden! As I look out at my own garden now covered in ice and snow, your garden pictures are a delightful respite for the eye.
Beautiful garden. I particularly like the way you have planted the shady areas with a variety of colors and textures.
Jill - I enjoyed looking at all of the photos of your garden. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. Lovely indeed. Love the texture in the shade garden and all the stonework.
Thank you!
Looking for a water feature similar to the one shown. Could you point me in the right direction to find one?? Most I have seen are flimsy. Want something sturdy. Thanks
I've attached a link of the exact fountain - You can check with Campania to see what vendors they support near you.
https://exclusivelycampania.ca/products/campania-longwood-arabesque-urn
Also, we put a light inside and it's magical at nighttime!
Your garden is simply wonderful. So jealous of your primroses!! Everything is perfection and don't you love it when turtles come to call?
Thank you- the primroses are almost too vigorous in my wet yard- I thin them out regularly and they self seed in my steps! As do lobelia and toad lily.
Oh wow! Love that shade garden photo and a turtle visitor to the water feature..so cool, it really shows how water in a garden is wild life friendly.
I'm really loving your garden!
The flag stone path is really nice way to stroll through your plants and garden.
Thanks so much- working on another path out of view- and adding more natives too.
The turtle visits me a couple times a season- love seeing her!
Looking forward to seeing your new path I made one small one and it was such a puzzle to put together). So cool the turtle hangs out/visits your garden!
I like seeing how people's gardens progress and mature over time so hope you post again.
Simply delightful and I mean that in every sense of the word! Your combinations and colors are delight to the eyes as well as your design of the different beds! Just wish I had to thin out primroses, lobelia and toad lilies but they say "be careful what you wish for". I really just need your inspiration. Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks so much!
What a treat to see your photos today. I'm so puzzled as to what is coming next climate-wise to our PNW garden. Tons of snow here since day after Christmas, and the horrible heat bubbles we had last winter-Yikes! Neither is usual for us. But grateful that things aren't worse, as they are for so many. Your garden is very inspiring, and I am anxious to get going!
Gorgeous! Really love this. Do you have an IG account or YouTube, blog? I’d love to follow you if you do. Mine is @ThePsychGarden
I just checked out your Instagram! Wow- so beautiful!! We seem to have a similar gardening style! Would love to know how the roses do in the hot humid weather as De. Is the same. Need a climber for my trellis! Yours are beautiful. No, I don’t have an Instagram account yet…
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Fabulous garden! Thanks for sharing.
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