Today we’re in Hobart, Indiana, visiting Joe Messina’s beautiful garden. Joe’s been gardening for about 30 years.
This 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!
These dianthus hybrids bloom for Joe practically all summer, with masses of baby-pink flowers.
A 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 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.
Joe 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.
These liatris are a beautiful accent flower to any garden.
The 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.
Another view from above, showing the beds packed with healthy, colorful flowers.
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Comments
Love your liatris. Even though it should come back for me here in zone 8b, it just doesn't.
Wonderful peaceful and colorful. Healthy looking plants- thanks for sharing
Thanks for including the view from the window- nice to have a view that brings it all together. Lovely garden!
Joe, What a beautiful collection of interesting plants yu have put together. Love the view out of the window.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Those iris are outstanding!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting your cheery garden. Congratulations & best wishes!
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