Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTOS! Marcia’s garden in Maryland

‘Autumn Joy’ sedum in bloom, liriope to the left, lavender to the right, with Russian sage in the background.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown

Today’s photos are from Marcia Brown.

She says, “I live outside of Baltimore, Maryland, on eight acres, only one of which can be touched. The rest is forest conservation designation, which is fine with us.  We built the house (a 2.5-year process) to be as green as possible and we love its location.

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown

“Once we moved in six years ago I began planning and gardening in earnest.  It has evolved as any garden does and will continue to do so as I become attuned to what works within a woodland setting and with the critters (deer, raccoon, fox, moles, rabbits, etc) whose homeland I moved into.  We love it here and call it The Lodge.”

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown

Beautiful, Marcia! FYI, Marcia says that the chicken wire around some of the plants is to keep the ground hogs out.  For deer protection she uses Liquid Fence diligently, spring through fall.

‘Pink Cloud’ hibiscus, surrounded by heuchera (coral bells), black-eyed Susan, and ostrich fern.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown

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Phlox, variety unknown. It blooms in late summer into fall.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
Phlox ‘Natascha’ with yarrow in the background.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
Yellow water iris with wild cat tails and purple Siberian iris in the left foreground.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
A scarlet daylily we planted outside my husband’s study window because he loves the color red.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Marcia Brown
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Comments

  1. rwotzak 01/10/2012

    Wonderful! Makes me miss the woodland spot we gave up for an in-town lot 10 years ago. I love how a garden space in the woods loosely defines your boundaries and lets you stop wherever you're willing to (by reclaiming whatever you don't touch). This is a perfect example of what I hope to get back to when we tire of the stricter rules of town living.

  2. rwotzak 01/10/2012

    Oh, and that's a gorgeous house too!

  3. User avater
    meander_michaele 01/10/2012

    Marcia sure has lots of plant diversity which has to be very compatible with her desire to live in harmony with Nature. Loved seeing just the hint of the super large leafed Hosta in one of the pictures...it looked glorious!

  4. Steepdrive 01/10/2012

    I am so thrilled to be featured on this page today! Thank you Michelle!

    Thanks, too for all the nice comments. And yes that large leaved hosta is I believe an August lily. Liking how the large leaves of this hosta looked along the glen edge I bought another large leaf variety (whose name escapes me as I write this) which I planted to the left of the stacked cedar stumps. They will reach their maximum size in years to come. Something to look forward to.

    Marcia

  5. user-7006918 01/10/2012

    Marcia, great pictures. You do an amazing job with all the critters you have to content with. A lot of work to keep everything looking so nice.

  6. dukeofargy 01/10/2012

    Like you, we also have a lot, most of which is in protected bush. We, like you, also have the animals from the bush coming to forage. Our land is quite steep going down to the river.

    It is fascinating to see/hear how other gardeners with similar situations deal with the problems. I truly enjoyed looking at your gardens. We can always learn from each other. Some day, I'll have to post some photos from my gardens.

    JR

  7. Happily_Gardening 01/10/2012

    BEAUTIFUL! The home of my dreams.

  8. pattyspencer 01/10/2012

    Love the porch. Would love sitting out there wathing all the wild life. Garden is gorgeous! Especially like the pot with the impatients.

  9. Steepdrive 01/10/2012

    Patty - I spend many hours on the porch especially the screen porch enjoying the view and thinking of what needs doing. Thank you for you comments.

  10. sheilaschultz 01/10/2012

    What a lucky woman you are, Marcia! Your yard and the surrounding woods are such a perfect setting for your beautiful home.

  11. amyc1 01/10/2012

    Lovely photos, thanks. I have many nibblers in CT. What I LOVE is a spray made of 9 eggs, 1 Tbsp Tabasco, 1 gallon water. Better than anything else I've tried.

  12. annek 01/10/2012

    Lovely, simply lovely!

  13. Parb 01/10/2012

    How I envy you that lovely shade garden with the Hostas and the pot of Impatients! I lost all my mature trees in December 2009 to a tornado. It will be years before I can recreate a shady garden retreat. Just beautiful.

  14. Holleygarden 01/10/2012

    Very nice! I love the porch picture, too. Such a peaceful and relaxing feel. i also love the way you've grouped your plants, as in the sedum picture. Gorgeous.

  15. brb4y 01/10/2012

    Beautiful Steep, but then would never have expected less. Retirement helps but most of what you did was before that. Is a rarely beautiful spot because of all you did and are doing. Nice photos too, by the way. Far better than I could ever do. Shows where your heart is despite the problems the years had and so well worth it.

  16. terieLR 01/10/2012

    It's such a thrill to see gardens taking shape as the years progress. You certainly have put thought into all the spaces. Keep sharing as they evolve. May you have any more years to enjoy Marcia!

  17. MizScarlet 01/11/2012

    Beautiful pictures. They make me long for Spring.

  18. h2ogrdn 01/11/2012

    Marcia, thanks for sharing your garden. I always enjoy seeing the use of garden art. I am envious of the shade garden and prompted to improve mine this Spring. Here in Western Montana I too am familiar with wire baskets around a number of plants and use sprays and electronic devices to hold back the deer from my more precious plants.

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