Garden Photo of the Day

Prolific Blooms on Bainbridge Island

By Kim Charles

Linda Skyler of Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest, enjoys the sunshine and a garden thriving from a very wet spring.

"After months and months of incredible rain we are finally having some sun and warmth and drying out a little here in the PNW – the end result is a jungle of gardens!"

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  1. grannieannie1 06/06/2017

    Lush is an inadequate word for your garden! Beautiful textures and contrasting color and every leaf looks to be in bursting good health with no slug damage. How do you manage that?

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Not too many slugs yet, but I do have a few frogs from our pond and I think they help out ;)

  2. jeffgoodearth 06/06/2017

    Beautiful and lush as always. I am very very envious of your Rodgersia as I have never been successful with it. It all looks snazzy!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Thanks Jeff, always glad you enjoy. "snazzy", I like that word :)

  3. Maggieat11 06/06/2017

    Wonderful! Certainly worth the wait, tho as incredibly hard as it must have been. So many things to look at- great plants, lovely blue pots, interesting adornments. Beautiful Trillium! I just purchased Rodgersia this spring; I hope mine developes as well as yours.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Best of luck with your Rodgersia, although I don't know your zone they seem to be very hardy as they go completely dormant in the winter and did not suffer from all of our wet. The flowers are a very special treat as they are fragrant!

  4. bsavage 06/06/2017

    Love your pergola! And all of you gardens! What is that star shaped plant? You have some very interesting specimens!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      The plant is Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty', loves shade and wet earth. Thank you.

      1. bsavage 06/06/2017

        Thank you!

  5. User avater
    meander_michaele 06/06/2017

    Jurassic Park has nothing on you in the robust plant department...fortunately, you have no ravenous dinosaurs tromping about! Is the Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'? I do believe there will be a few gpod-er hearts that go "boom boom' at the size and plentitude of its leaves...what a beauty! I find quite fetching what I think is an orange tipped euphorbia in the 7th picture. I had one once that stayed in place for 2 years and then pulled a permanent David Copperfield disappearing act. Things look awesome, Linda. I always love to see your garden areas.

    1. User avater
      Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 06/06/2017

      You've got a pretty good handle on your Podophyllums, Michaele, as well as your fellow GPODers. Of course my heart went pitter patter at what looks like 'Spotty Dotty'!!

      1. User avater
        meander_michaele 06/06/2017

        There are some plants that I am pretty sure I would be oblivious about if it wasn't for the enthusiasm of the unusual shared by gardeners like you and some others here in gpod-land. Now I go all hubba hubba over agaves, podophyllums, and other things I can't pronounce.

    2. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Yes that is 'Spotty Dotty' you spy. I was quite tickled when I found it a couple of winters ago sitting in a pathetic little 4" plastic pot with one shriveled leaf for only $8. I figured that a customer had not spotted it looking so ravaged - so I grabbed it! Quite a find :) And yes that is a Euphorbia (and the name has escaped me at the moment, sorry) it is growing in a pot as it is very invasive but I do love the color. Haven't seen your garden for awhile Michaela??

  6. gardencook 06/06/2017

    Love your pops of colour - blue and orange, red!!!! Very lush and healthy looking plants. Your pergola is so inviting and a wonderful place to sit and meditate or have a drink or two!!I am a great fan of hostas so I am very interested in your pics of all the many varieties that you have planted!!!! Beautiful!! Very calm and serene!!!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      I do love hostas and have them everywhere. Surprisingly the ones in pots do the best of all.

      1. gardencook 06/07/2017

        That is very surprising!! I just bought a large hosta, Brother Stefan, which is the 2017 Hosta of the Year. It is a lovely hosta and now I just need to find a home for it. Unlike your property, mine is mostly in full sun so it is on the other end of the spectrum. Seeing your well maintained property of shade plants makes me drool as there are so many great plants one can have for the shade! Have fun in your garden!!!

  7. NCYarden 06/06/2017

    Always a treat, Linda. That is some paradise you have created up there. I'm ecstatic over those "giant" trilliums, as I had a couple that seemed to defy size regulations this season as well...most impressive. Pouting over the Rodgersia, seems to be a bit temperamental here. When I make it to the PNW, I'll be hitting you up for a tour. Gorgeous garden. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      The Rodgersia here is almost too much. I don't really have enough room for it to stretch so usually have to pull some out (sorry!) but I do love it. It is bronze when it first comes out in the Spring and is quite lovely. I will look forward to sharing a walk thru with you sometime and glad you enjoyed.

  8. deeinde 06/06/2017

    Beautiful, Linda! I would love to walk along those paths and see everything close up. Love spotty dotty, the yellow trilliums, the hexastylis and your hosta. Everything looks so happy with the rain!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Our rain was incredible this year and curse it as I did, it has made for a glorious jungle!

  9. User avater
    treasuresmom 06/06/2017

    Oh, my. I love that little pavilion area. I could sit out there all day.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      The gazebo has a roof so that we may enjoy it any type of weather and it is extra warm in the summer even on a chilly day.

  10. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 06/06/2017

    Of course you have me ooohing and ahhhhingh this morning. It's cool and brisk here this morning and I had a hard time tearing myself away from the garden, but this little break touring your great garden makes up for it. Your huge Trillium luteum (?) is so healthy. I have such trouble with Trilliums. Crazy because they thrive in Ohio woodlands.
    I don't recall ever seeing your covered sitting area. That's awesome.
    Your Podophyllum is a gorgeous clump and really stands out in its spot.
    I'm crazy about your potted Mahonia. (eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'?) That's the one Mahonia I'd love to have, but alas, out of my zone.
    The color echoes in the Euphorbia with the glass art and orange pansies is marvelous.
    Well, I've gushed enough. Thanks for sending in photos.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Yes, you are always correct Tim - Lutea Trillium, and it has taken several years for it to become that size but is quite beautiful in it's simplicity. And yes, 'Soft Caress' it is and it has done well down into the 20s here but I know your winters are much colder than that. My husband built the gazebo a couple of years ago, it is a great spot to sit and relax (not sure if I ever do that however!) and a nice spot to escape a rain shower when we have garden tour guests. Second season for 'Spotty Dotty' and it has red flowers this year. They aren't really very visible but it lets me know that it is happy in that damp, shady spot. Glad you enjoyed.

  11. Sunshine111 06/06/2017

    I love the art in the garden!

  12. LaurelEm 06/06/2017

    Linda! So Beautiful! Am I see giant sized versions of some plants we have in the Mid West? Am I seeing huge Trilliums (picture 5) and a huge Woodbine (picture 2)? What are those fantastic star shaped, mottled leaves in picture 8? Glorious!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Yes, those are Trillium Lutea, and the star shaped plant is a Podophyllum, and sorry I don't know Woodbine so guess I don't have it. So glad you enjoyed.

    2. Chris_N 06/07/2017

      Woodbine like plant is Rodgersia.

  13. tennisluv 06/06/2017

    Two words. Gorgeous! Envious!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Thank you Sonya. A work in progress for over 30 years now.

  14. Cenepk10 06/06/2017

    Fabulous!!!! Are those giants trilliums ??? Love the stunning combos. Encore!!!!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Yes they are trilliums and they do become quite large. Glad you enjoyed :)

  15. cooksforfive 06/06/2017

    Very pretty gardens and I love the garden art! Wonderful to look at on yet another gray, rainy day in upstate NY

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Hope you have some sun soon, those grey days can really bring you down, 80 here today but back to the 60s and rain tomorrow! Glad you enjoyed

  16. schatzi 06/06/2017

    Yes, it was a lo-o-ong wet winter and spring, wasn't it, Linda. So glad to see the sun finally. And your gorgeous garden. Especially love the trillium and the cobalt blue accents. How do you keep it so weed-free? The weeds have gone bonkers in my yard - it's a jungle out there!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Years of mulching seem to have eliminated all weeds and I am very careful what I bring into my gardens. Glad you enjoyed - and the sun has been wonderful!

  17. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 06/06/2017

    Good morning, Linda. Your garden is really looking lush this year. It's obvious that we do not get as much rain on Whidbey and that's not a complaint, just an observation since our grass is already browning up and we've been dragging hoses for a few weeks now. I love your Rodgersia. That was recently added to our shade garden so I'm hopeful for growth like yours. It looks great mixed with the Athyrium naponicum. Love the trillium, too, and pretty much everything in your garden. Thanks for sharing on this beautiful sunny NW day.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Yes, capture the rays as they may not last, right. Thank you for your compliments and good luck with your Rodg. it is a wonderful plant.

  18. annek 06/06/2017

    One word: exquisite

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Thank you Annek.

  19. user-6536305 06/06/2017

    Good morning Linda, your garden is really cool and love you blue planters and blue ornaments. Love the orange ornaments as well and love all. They are so stand out! Fantastic foliage and texture. How big is your garden? Wow, you have name tags for your plants-better organized than a botanical garden. Thanks for sharing your beauty.

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Thanks Lilian, I did have a LOT of things labeled but over the year, birds bull them out, raccoons carry them off and the not-so-permanent ink fades away and then I have forgotten what some of them are. Our property is 1/3 acre and I have gardened most of it. I have dug up most of the lawn over the years and now am invading my husbands section- oops! His side is graveled so that takes care of my digging!!

  20. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

    So glad you enjoyed Diane. I know I should sit more often, somehow that just doesn't seem to happen! but I do love that area and it does encourage me to relax more.

  21. user-7008581 06/06/2017

    Once again, captions providing plant i.d., are needed. Beautiful photos of lush plantings, but....

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Sorry, I have never mastered the 'attaching' IDs to the photos part, I should check into that.

  22. [email protected] 06/06/2017

    thanks for sharing your garden, Linda. I am east of you, here in Maple Valley, on the mainland, and like you, have lots of plants in containers (brand new landscape in progress). I'm wondering if you have any hints on keeping the pots watered, as I seem to be dragging hoses for hours daily.
    I have many of the same plants, and it's wonderful to see how you have grouped and used them. Very inspiring! Wondering if you have been part of "Bainbridge in Bloom", or other gardent tours- looks like a garden I would love to visit!

    1. Meelianthus 06/06/2017

      Somehow the plants in containers survive quite nicely with a lite amount of watering in the summer. I don't have a watering system so do 'drag' the hoses about in the summer months.

      I have been on the 'Bloom' tour before. It is a grand tour but 2000 people! too much for my smallish gardens. I am the Garden Conservancy rep. for BI and put on that tour every summer (not this summer however), so check their website next summer as the tour will be the end of May and I think you would really enjoy. My garden is usually on the tour along with most often 5 other gardens. Glad you enjoyed Pat. :)

  23. user-7007059 06/06/2017

    I was going to ask if you were on any of the Bainbridge tours and then I saw your answer to 'Pat in Maple Valley' below. I'll have to be sure to note when next summer's tours are - I love your beautiful garden photos and hope to see your garden in person sometime!

    1. Meelianthus 06/07/2017

      That would be fun. I love to meet other gardeners - the best part of a garden tour!

  24. caroldt 06/06/2017

    Your garden is so gorgeous! Could you please tell me the name of the beautiful variegated plant with the large 6 lobed leaves under the sun plaque in the 3rd picture? I would love to add one to my shade garden here in NC, if it tolerates our climate! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos with us!

    1. Meelianthus 06/07/2017

      Those shade-loving plants are Fatsia, that particular one is called 'Spider Web', another lovely one if called 'Camouflage'. It has lovely coloring but none of the white that 'Spider Web' has. They will take a little cool sun but really do like the shade and don't let them dry out. Not sure how much cold they will take but when we get into the 20s I cover them over with ground cloth. Having them up against your house also helps. So glad you enjoyed.

  25. user-4691082 06/06/2017

    I am just viewing this now at the end of a long day. Linda, your gardens are tour worthy. I went on our local house and garden tour last Saturday and it's all about who has the biggest house, the most acreage, and barns, horses, etc. One house had a photo of the owner riding horses with Jackie Kennedy, and another photo showing the owner with Stalin! But, I started to feel nauseous after the first five- most of the gardens were done by professionals and I didn't see anything unusual or special! So, I must come to GPOD to see some of the plant worlds great specimens! Your garden is great-Spotty Dotty is a conversation piece, and I love your covered pergola!!!! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Meelianthus 06/07/2017

      Funny that you should say that as it is very similar here on BI.- multi-million dollar houses with lovely gardens - all kept up by hired professionals. I would be surprised if the owners knew any plant names, but then each to his own and I guess some people enjoy those gardens and I have been on a number of those tours myself. I too enjoy GPOD and seeing the hard work gardeners are so passionate about - true gardens!

  26. Chris_N 06/07/2017

    Finally got a chance to sit down and check out GPOD. Glad I did. Your garden is an inspiration as always, Linda.

  27. greengenes 06/07/2017

    Oh Linda! What a surprise as iam finally inside for the evening. Everything looks so lush and beautiful! All that rain paid off for sure! You sure have created something so special! Thanks for sharing with us!

  28. user-3565112 06/07/2017

    Linda , All of your garden scenes & photos are terrific & I believe the ist one is Fine Gardening cover worthy. The blue pots add a subtle touch of color in all the right places.
    Beautiful job, good luck ,Joe

  29. irisloverpa 06/07/2017

    Linda your gardens are so lush and beautiful. Must be very proud of your accomplishments. Love the garden accents

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