Welcome back to another view of Nanci Kerby’s incredible garden in Napa, California.
This is a wild, informal garden that relies on generous planting and self-sowers to create a relaxed atmosphere. At the end of the path, just in view, is an arch covered with grapevines.
A closer look at the grape arch. It is a simple wire framework, now loaded with grapes.
The garden itself is a riot of different plants. The grape arch is at the right of this photo.
This photo is of the same part of the garden, but later in the season. With its combination of many different plants in the same space, this garden changes dramatically through the seasons.
We know from her earlier contributions to the GPOD that Nanci loves roses. Here they form a beautiful backdrop to this garden.
Easy to grow in nearly every climate, zinnias and sunflowers are classic cottage-garden annuals. They always create a warm, nostalgic scene in the garden.
In the spring, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus, annual) join the grapes on the arch! Sweet peas are a much-loved plant for the beautiful fragrant blooms, but they can be a bit fussy to grow in some climates. They hate hot weather, so careful timing is necessary in most climates to ensure a good bloom in the cool of the spring. To learn more about growing sweet peas, check out our guide to growing them.
More sweet peas.
The bunny of the garden in the spring, surrounded by tulips and self-sowing borage (Borage officinalis, annual).
A honeybee stops by to visit the borage flowers.
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.
If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
XLUX Soil Moisture Meter
RAINPOINT Sprinkler Timer with Brass Swivel
Nelson Multi-Pattern Stationary Sprinkler
Comments
Oh, my, Nanci, your arch literally dripping with lush grape clusters is quite a sight to behold. It's truly spectacular. And, then to have the floral display of the sweet peas weaving amongst the grape vines...so charming. No wonder your bunny loves his place in your garden. It's all very special.
Those sweet peas are so pretty. I am zone 8b & it gets hot here pretty quickly. Many years there seems to be only a week of spring but I am giving it serious thought to give sweet peas a try.
All my life I’ve wanted a garden that looks like this ! Beautiful- I really enjoyed yesterday’s post as well. Loved the pic where you show the pots buried in the ground for gopher protection. Just really opened my eyes to the design for some reason. Just a stunning garden & I’m so grateful you shared ...
Also - I have never gotten the sweet peas to grow from seed in the 6 years I’ve been here- Read to plant the seeds in September for spring blooming. I’m outside of Atlanta so it gets very hot & humid here fairly early in the season. We’ll see. Those sweet pea pics were quite the tease for me !
Wow...
Love the borage! I struggle with people here who don't like self-seeders.... why fight free plants!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in