Garden Photo of the Day

Joe’s Indiana Garden

Favorite flowers, new and old

Today we’re in Hobart, Indiana, visiting Joe Messina’s beautiful garden. Joe’s been gardening for about 30 years.

Antique bearded irisThis antique bearded iris (Iris germanica hybrid, Zones 3–8) variety originated over 100 years ago. Old-fashioned irises have smaller, simpler flowers than the ruffled modern varieties and often are more vigorous and healthy. You don’t survive over 100 years by being a wimp!

pink dianthusThese dianthus hybrids bloom for Joe practically all summer, with masses of baby-pink flowers.

coneflower hybridsA grouping of coneflower hybrids (Echinacea hybrids, Zones 4–9) have thrived in Joe’s garden this year, along with spires of purple liatris (Liatris spicata, Zones 3–9).

Invicibelle Spirit smooth hydrangeaInvicibelle Spirit smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens, Zone 3 – 9) is a beautiful pale pink version of the classic ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea. Generally healthy and carefree, they’ve unfortunately started dying off for Joe this year.

Incrediball hydrangeasJoe keeps the front planting simple and elegant with these Incrediball hydrangeas. Another selection of the smooth hydrangea, this plant looks very similar to the classic ‘Annabelle’ with huge white heads of flowers, but it is notable for strong stems that don’t flop over with the weight of all those flowers.

liatrisThese liatris are a beautiful accent flower to any garden.

garden from aboveThe view of the garden from an upstairs window. It is always great to consider how a garden will look from the windows of your house because that is how you’ll be seeing it a lot of the time.

garden bed full of flowersAnother view from above, showing the beds packed with healthy, colorful flowers.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/22/2020

    Love your liatris. Even though it should come back for me here in zone 8b, it just doesn't.

  2. sagebird52 10/22/2020

    Wonderful peaceful and colorful. Healthy looking plants- thanks for sharing

  3. User avater
    bdowen 10/22/2020

    Thanks for including the view from the window- nice to have a view that brings it all together. Lovely garden!

  4. User avater
    user-7007816 10/22/2020

    Joe, What a beautiful collection of interesting plants yu have put together. Love the view out of the window.

  5. User avater
    cynthia2020 10/22/2020

    Joe - I agree with sagebird and BDOwen - colorful and healthy plants with a great view from in the house! I also like how you seem to have a lot of sun, plus your edging and lawn are very neat!

  6. user-5117752 10/22/2020

    Just a delightful, thoughtful garden! The colors and combinations are what I like best. Now what happens in the fall and spring? More pics, please.

  7. User avater
    simplesue 10/22/2020

    Wow! What kind of Dianthus are those?! They are beautiful!
    So nice to see not only close ups of the plants but also to see your garden layout.
    I think I see some of my favorite perennials- Campanulas- in the over head view of the garden too! Now I want a close up of them too LOL!
    I'm just so impressed with how everything you grow looks so super healthy and stand so perfectly (all my perennials seem to fall over).
    You are doing an amazing job with your garden- just gorgeous!

  8. btucker9675 10/22/2020

    What a lovely garden - especially appreciate the curved shapes of your planting beds, so graceful! I also noticed the campanulas - had them in my gardens in NJ (the blue and a lovely pale pink variety) where they thrived. Haven't had any luck with them here in NC but will keep trying.

  9. Maggieat11 10/22/2020

    Those iris are outstanding!!!
    Thanks for sharing!

  10. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 10/23/2020

    Thanks for posting your cheery garden. Congratulations & best wishes!

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