Today Peggy Sheets is showing us around her garden.
My husband and I bought this house in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, about four years ago and are now living here full time. We’re Zone 8b with mild winters and hot, humid summers.
For my 60th birthday on March 9, my husband got the side yard fixed to my delight. I’ve loved gardening my entire life. Over the more than 30 years of our marriage, we’ve lived in Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama (twice), California, Louisiana, and now Mississippi, where we plan to stay. It’s been hard leaving gardens we created, especially in Birmingham, Alabama, and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Along with gardening, I love wildlife and am thrilled a bluebird pair is setting up housekeeping in the box we put up for them. The monarch butterflies have already been busy this year. Yesterday I counted over a dozen caterpillars on the milkweed that survived winter. We’ll enjoy finding the chrysalises on our front porch all summer and sometimes getting to see brand-new butterflies.
I can’t wait to plant my two new beds!
This salvia (probably Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’, Zone 9–10 or as annual) has not stopped blooming all winter.
One of many monarch caterpillars on last year’s milkweed.
The brand-new camellia garden, recently planted and ready to become a beautiful, mature display.
Camellia japonica ‘Pink Perfection’ (Zones 7–10, also known as ‘Otome’ and ‘Frau Minna Seidel’). Looking at that arrangement of petals, it’s easy to see where the name “Pink Perfection” comes from.
Camellia japonica ‘Gunsmoke’ (Zones 7–10)
Camellia japonica ‘Delores Edwards’ (Zones 7–10)
A mislabeled camellia I call ‘Miss Labeled’. She’s quite beautiful, whatever her proper name is!
New beds ready for planting!
The newly redone side yard, with beds ready for planting and chairs ready for lounging and enjoying.
Borrowed view of the neighbor’s azalea in full bloom.
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Comments
Loved to see your photos from the deep south. That salvia is divine. I need to look for it. As for Pink Perfection, I adore it! Your camellia garden will be just wonderful given a year or two.
Your garden areas definitely exhibit lots of southern charm...the gorgeous camellias, the black wrought iron looking fencing and the magnificent mature trees in the background. Your new hardscaping is very handsome and it should be lots of fun to fill those beds with beautiful plants.
ps. I loved your name for your mystery camellia...gave me a smile.
I need to get Miss Labeled in the ground. Fortunately, camellias are happy to stay in pots for a long time in case I procrastinate.
I love the old South look in my yard -- with the beautiful bay for a view.
Oh love the garden! So southern looking to this old northern woman! I immediately spotted a bit of Spanish Moss laying on the leaf of your Pink Perfection, and those gorgeous old trees. Love the stones and the iron fencing. I agree with "meander_michaele, very clever name for your mislabeled Camellia! You reminded me to make an effort to plant Milk Weed after reading about your garden. Too bad you have to move so often and leave your gardens behind, but you are making the world a more beautiful place!
So stately !!! Love it. I want monarchs ! I grow fennel for SwallowTails. Looking for Milkweed this spring for certain. Loved seeing your fabulous side yard & the gorgeous views you have. Really stunning.
I also have some lovely fennel which is a beautiful addition to the garden. Though I see swallowtails, I don't seem to host many of their babies.
Your garden will be stunning! Looks like you have beautiful mature trees all around - just beautiful.
Yes, the oaks are lovely. We had them trimmed this winter so they are a bit barren this early in the year but they'll shade the camellia garden.
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