Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTOS! Kielian’s garden in Montana

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window. **May 31st**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt

Today’s photos are from Kielian DeWitt in Montana. She says, “After moving to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, I wondered if the gardening rules from my home state of Colorado would apply to this colder, northern latitude region.  I learned after three years of gardening that the old adage ‘sleep, creep, leap’ was very appropriate.  The first year, the plants barely registered life, the second year I saw a few inches of growth and a few blooms, but the third year…oh it was rewarding. The pictures below depict the changes of progressive seasonal flowering and the overall attitude of happy plants!  I can hardly wait to see what next spring brings.” Gorgeous, Kielian! It looks like you’ve been gardening here for many, many years. Thanks for sharing your garden with us!

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**June 24th**

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**August 1st**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**August 7th**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**August 18th**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**October 1st**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**October 1st**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
**October 7th**
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt
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Comments

  1. gottagarden 12/09/2011

    What fabulous color all through the year!

  2. User avater
    meander_michaele 12/09/2011

    Wow, what a glorious looking garden. The colors seem particularly vibrant and all the plants are so robust and strong. It is all a real feast for the eyes!

  3. Wife_Mother_Gardener 12/09/2011

    Wonderful successions! You have used your space to the max. Great job!

  4. mema57 12/09/2011

    Wow, I am jealous, this is beautiful.

  5. tractor1 12/09/2011

    It's wonderful that your growing seasson is short as that requires an enormous amount of labor for just one person, but you must love it, it's all gorgeous! And I'm so glad that you didn't cheapen the effect with any of those grotesque fake water features... everytime I see one of those Disneyish motorized streams it reminds me of honky tonk miniature golf. I love Montana, I came very close to retiring near Colombia Falls.

  6. Josefly 12/09/2011

    Wow! It looks like a fairy-tale house and garden. Nice work.

  7. betemt 12/09/2011

    Beautiful! I live north of you in the Flathead, and although our growing season is short, it is powerful! My number one question ... How do you deal with the deer? I only consider plants labeled deer resistant, and spray, spray spray, but I still seem to provide a fine dining experience for the local deer population!

  8. LindaBrandon 12/09/2011

    Just spectacular! If I had managed to orchestrate something like that, I think I'd be able to die happy. Our North Carolina climate and soil won't support some of those plants, but oh, how I wish they did!

  9. sheilaschultz 12/09/2011

    When Springtime finally rolls around in the Bitterroot Valley, you must want to jump out of bed every morning just to see what's blooming in your gardens! They are quite beautiful, Kielian. I especially like your pathway lights and the way the red makes the background flowers pop. Perfect.

  10. annek 12/09/2011

    What great responses from you all...I'm being 'flooded' with garden appreciation and am basking in your remarks! @betempt: Even though the garden is located only 125 feet away from a natural creek, I just don't have many deer. With that, of the ones that consider the Kielian flowerbed a dining room, my past experience in Colorado has prepared me with a variety of solutions (the last two are the best, but prior ones are too funny to ignore). Listed in ascending order of success: I tried everything from a low electric fence attached with aluminum foil wrapped peanut butter (the too-smart-for-their-own-good squirrels figured that one out), moth balls, bobcat scat, strong-smelling soap tied up to bushes with panty hose (a particularly inviting look), and leaf blowers connected to motion detector devices which I hung in the trees (don't even ask). Finally, I discovered two products that work the best. Liquid Fence spray (lasts 2 - 4 weeks), and my latest weapon in the arsenal of flower guardians - 'Plantskyyd' spray. It lasts 3-5 months. Both are available on the net. Good look with all your pesky Bambi's!

  11. MichelleGervais 12/09/2011

    Oh, I HAVE to see the motion-detector leaf-blower setup! Pleeeaaassse send a pic? So funny!

  12. annek 12/09/2011

    ...I'll try to locate a photo of the 'now infamous' deer-chasing device

  13. antigonumcajan 12/12/2011

    Nice installation within that context..excellent photo.

    http://www.guiaverde.com/blog/destacadas/jardin-tropical-en-puerto-rico Here is little contrast in a concrete/asphalt urban context, with flora and fauna in mind, beyond aesthetics.

  14. pattyspencer 12/12/2011

    Wow! I love the pops of color throught the garden and if you sit quietly you see fairies peeking around the flowers.

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