I first visited this garden in
2019, for the
HPSO Study Weekend Event—and have intended to get back ever since. I finally made it on a recent, rainy, Sunday afternoon...
Mary's description of her garden for the HPSO Open directory: "
In mid May this year, the many different podophyllums are showing their best color and most are in flower. My garden is a 23 year experience of learning and passion. In this 75 x 100 ft. organic city garden, I collect many shade plants including varieties of arisaema, podophyllum, saxifrage and dactylorhiza for the more shaded and private back area beds. I love playing with textures, forms and shades of green foliage. The sunnier south-facing front garden is more drought tolerant. A wide variety of blooming plants keep it fun and interesting all summer long along with it's evergreen bones. I've added a rock garden along the drive."
The sunny south-facing front garden may be more drought tolerant, but it is still quite lush. Especially with all the rain we've had.
Eryngium venustum in the wide hell-strip.
A very shaggy conifer with long cones.
We'll be walking around that bend in the lawn in a minute, entering the side garden and into the shady depths. First however, look at that light green length of ground cover on the left, edging the lawn.
It's an arabis, perhaps A. ferdinandi-coburgi 'Old Gold'. Lovely as it is, what I really wanted you to note is the standing water between it and the lawn. We've had so much rain this spring, the soil is positively saturated. It was pouring for the first half of my visit, I took photos from under cover of an umbrella.
Persicaria in a pot, where it can't get away from the gardener.
I remember these adorable planters from my previous visit. Mary has expanded upon the log/stump theme with more planters you'll see in the back garden.
I didn't look under it's skirts to see if this peony was supported with a framework, but it certainly was standing tall despite the rain.
I did spot a small patch of podophyllum out in the front garden—and there was probably more than just the one—however this is where the podophyllum spotting gets serious. Mary grows so many and they are all gorgeous.
I asked if she lifts and divides her podophyllum, thinking that would account for the number she has sprinkled about. Here's her reply: "
The in ground ones I divide a lot. The potted ones so far I've just given larger pots or moved into the garden. Podophyllums like room to spread or run a bit. The ones in pots don't multiply as fast because of that."
I am such a wimp when it comes to dividing my plants. I'm always afraid I am going to do more damage than good. Maybe Mary will let me watch her in action sometime so I can get some pointers and see how a pro does it.
Polygonatum kingianum
Look at that hosta! I think it's June.
And those arisaema leaves!
With blooms...
Calycanthus occidentalis (I think), and a canoe planter that's been highly coveted among a few of my friends.
Swoon! Check out that patch of variegated lily-of-the-valley!
Dove tree, Davidia involucrata.
More arisaema and the first of many faux bois planters we'll see.
And more (more! more!) podophyllum...
I love how she's planted Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron' to grow up through Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'. Genus!
Perhaps a patch of 'Red Panda' next to it?
Okay, time for the big podophyllum "pièce de résistance"...
I didn't catch the name of the one on the far left, although if I were naming my vote would go for 'Snowflake', the one with the great red and green coloration is Podophyllum 'Imperial Sunrise'.
And the most sought after podophyllum (if you're a collector or plant nerd), Podophyllum difforme 'Starfish Strain'...
I wasn't completely on board with this one, until I saw it in Mary's garden. Now I am in love.
Have you been counting? I thought about doing a count, but decided not to bother. It's an impressive collection and that's all that matters.
I finally tore myself away from the podophyllum lust and moved on...
More of those containers!
And an agave...
The back deck...
Covered patio off the side of the garage...
And a view of the two...
I think this small garden could be called a scree garden?
Rock-garden next to the driveway.
And just a final two photos, of a very exuberant planting in what might be an old bird-bath?
Ferns, saxifraga, hosta... Mary does it all with style and excellent care for the plants.
I'm ending with a bonus shot from a garden just up the street from Mary's. Why? Because I love their custom agave planter!
All material © 2009-2022 by Loree Bohl for
danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.