The right side of this garden is more mature than the left so in previous pictures the left side has been cropped out to various degrees. I'm so happy not to have to crop anymore. I love a mature garden!
... and another angle a little later in the day:
and a few more:
To see this garden as it has matured and at other times of the year, click here and scroll down.
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This is the third season for this garden and it's filling in nicely!
If I can grow these in a fairly dry spot next to a spruce tree, they should do well just about anywhere in Calgary! The more sun the better, though:
To see this garden at other times of the year, click here and scroll down.
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How lovely to come home from holidays to this:
Got any recipes with dill you'd like to share? :-)
And how's your garden doing this summer?
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Okay, so it doesn't look like much yet, but if you just squint a little, and ignore the weeds, and imagine herbs all around this new patio I just put in... then it is pretty nice, isn't it?!? Well, I think so.
Our neighbour took down a spruce tree (with our permission) in this spot in our backyard last fall, so I've had some time to think about what I wanted to put in here. When it's all planted up, and the new shrubs grow up to form a "wall" on the left, this is going to be a very cute little herb garden! Perennials herbs french tarragon, oregano, and thyme as well as asparagus will get planted this fall (after the heat wave is over!) I might put strawberries in too... what would you plant?
Design-wise, I'm also quite happy with how it fits with the rest of the yard... it is on axis with 'England' (the veggie garden):
as well as the long axis of the yard, aligned with the garage door
and the "hopscotch" stepping stones:
What are you doing in your yard this summer?
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The Adventure Garden is called such because it has pathways throughout to encourage the kids to get right in and explore! Best thing I ever did!!
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Even when the irises aren't flowering, I like this mix of textures - in particular, notice the rhubarb behind the irises! I think rhubarb can look quite pretty if it is contrasted with some finer-textured plants. Would you consider planting rhubarb in your ornamental garden?
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I've been tweaking this garden since I first designed and planted it 6 years ago, and this year I think I am finally pretty happy with it and done moving things around! RIght now you will see catmint, lady's mantle, siberian iris, perennial geraniums and roses blooming. This has got to me my favourite time of year for this garden!
Above: siberian iris in fron of El Dorado feather reed grass.
Above: ornamental alliums (plant as bulbs in fall) in front of El Dorado feather reed grass.
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A wide-angle shot for mid-June! How very brave of me as it needs a little tidying in this area. I haven't had time yet but just wanted to get one more photo in before the bergenia and weeping crabapple finishing blooming as they are two of my favourite plants!
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I'm particularly enjoying spinach and arugula at the moment - how 'bout you?
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Both of these toughies grow in dry shade and need little care. They do not need to be cut down each year.
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The weeping crab was new last year. I am very happy with it!
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Yum! Just gotta remember to finish cutting the chive flowers off (they are edible!) before they go to seed, or else chives everywhere!!
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... blooms late May to mid-June. I took this photo with my iphone and did not filter or modify it in any way. I swear! Isn't it gorgeous?
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Sheesh. I thought I'd better get a photo posted of the Adventure Garden before the tulips are totally finished! Sorry for the lack of posting lately!! What's blooming right now: tulips, grape hyacinths, bergenia, dwarf bearded iris, iceland poppies, leopard's bane, cherries.
To see this garden at other times of the year, click here and scroll down.
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(Well, early for a shade garden in Calgary!) And even better - each patch gets bigger every year!
Chionodoxa and tulipa tarda are bulbs and can be planted in fall. Bergenia is an "evergreen" perennial which means the leaves overwinter (they look a little tatty in spring but are perking up now and will be their beautiful, glossy green selves again soon!)
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