Not everyone could warm up to the last gardens I showed, but for those who found those gardens too impersonal, I think this garden will fill the bill.
Although it was a good sized property, the garden was divided into a series of small rooms which added to the feeling of being secluded from the world at large. Everywhere there were little touches that made the garden feel romantic and special.
This is a fairly mature garden that was designed about 18 years ago. David Tomlinson did the design on the back garden and Tom Sparling designed the courtyard. Let's take a look, shall we:
Just off the kitchen of this heritage home is porch with Victorian detailing.
A pair of Redbuds provides dappled shade for the patio and table to the left of the porch steps.
The plantings to the right of the patio are very pretty. The homeowner is apparently an avid plantsman and you can really tell.
Isn't the lattice-covered fence nice?
Among the flowers there are lilies, dahlias, roses and annuals on either side of the patio.
A foxglove with a Japanese Maple as a backdrop.
As you proceed down the garden, you pass by a hedge of yews and
enter a room with a small circular pond.
Did you notice the garden tool in her hands?
A close-up of the doorway to the next room.
There was a nice layering of plant materials throughout.
I am not sure of the identification of the large-leafed plant on the left just above the hosta. Any ideas?
Update: We have an ID. The mystery plant is Peltiphyllum peltatum which Pauline says is sometimes known as Darmera. Thanks Pauline!
As I passed through the yew's doorway, I glancing back the way I had come.
The last room had a bit of a yellow theme.
Dogwood and a beautiful Maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatumnice
There was another seating area in this last room, but there were so many people milling around that
I could not get a good picture of it.
Love this. Sedum 'Sieboldii'
Yellow Baptisia
A rose covered arbor leads to the adjoining lot where there are raised vegetable beds
designed by Jack Staub of Hortulus Farm.
I don't have any white roses, which is a serious oversight. These are so delicate and pretty.
Even that which was not flawless seemed perfectly in place in this garden.
How lovely! It just goes to show that having a lot of money to throw at a garden, and professionals to do the planning and planting doesn't mean that one will end up with a soul-less garden fit for the pages of a glossy Architectural magazine. What a beautiful garden - and the gardening tool in the hand of the statue was a very clever and witty touch.
ReplyDeleteThis garden is wonderful. So much to look at and see here. Glad you said what that was in her hands, I kept looking and looking and couldn't quite figure, at first I thought it was a rolling pin.
ReplyDeleteI went on an upscale house and garden tour last week. The houses were impressive but on the whole the gardens seemed like an afterthought. The garden in your post today looks like someone has a real love of gardening, or at least gardens.
ReplyDeleteThis is a garden to love! I LOVE the statue of the lady. The garden is well designed but it's real, colorful, and seems lived in. It doesn't seem like a museum for plants, like the ones in the last post. I'm surprised they didn't have red ropes keeping everyone away from the plantings. The garden you showed today is one to just sink into, like a comfy couch. :o)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, thank you for sharing this lovely garden! I love the photo of foxgloves and Japanese maple.
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
DeleteNadezda
That's more like it - a garden with proper plants in - a garden for people, beautifully designed too.
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring if it wasn't so darn hot.
ReplyDeleteThis garden is so beautiful Jennifer. I could find myself feeling home in this garden.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Now this in more like it! The avid plantsman has some lovely plants. These 'rooms' all look like they are there to be enjoyed, and presumably you are allowed to step on the paths without fear of being shouted at.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right - the other gardens were too manicured, too impersonal. This one is a beauty. I could live there easily (with a housekeeper to keep down the dust bunnies while I gardened).
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much that I didn't like the other gardens, they just didn't seem to be as inviting and liveable as this one. I'd be quite happy to spent some time here, not just walk through.
ReplyDelete-Karen
How unutterably beautiful!! I cannot wait until my garden starts to fill in. Thank you for all the inspiring photos.
ReplyDeletexox
You are right, I love this one, lots of color, warmth and interest. The statuary is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEileen
This is much better, you can tell the person who lives here loves plants, it is beautiful. What a fantastic selection of plants they have, I think your mystery plant may be Peltiphyllum peltatum sometimes known as Darmera.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ID Pauline.
DeleteThis is such a cheerful garden ! I love the foxglove, white roses and the ferns ! That flower{don't know its name, it is in the 10th photo left to the single white rose] is so delicate and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see these garden pictures, the flowers, I really feel very fortunate and peaceful inside because I cannot go to gardens like this, every other day or even every week. So, this is a visual treat for my senses.
Jennifer, he composition of your photographs is also excellent, you can capture the essence of the gardens in their proper/right spirit.
have a nice day ,
Quite a delight :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of garden rooms and plant layering. Lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteI loved this garden. I soooo wish I could have gone on this tour, but I was flying to Barbados the next day, so it was not to be. Those maidenhairs, gorgeous, I have never seen such a large clump. And the 2 varg willows pruned as a hedge on stilts, could use that idea.
ReplyDeleteI so agree--the gardens on your last post were beautiful, but they were so impersonal and rather intimidating. This garden is not only gorgeous, but it's obvious the owner enjoys this garden! So many lovely plant combinations and interesting details. I would imagine you spent more time here than any of the other gardens on the tour.
ReplyDeleteYou asked on your last post what we would do differently if we had the money--I would enjoy having someone else prepare new beds for me and help with other heavy work. But the planting, the deadheading, and pruning would still be all my domain--if I couldn't do the majority of the gardening, I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much.
Thanks for taking us on this tour, Jennifer!
I think it looks fantastic - but I´m in awe of every garden since my own is so pathetic when one compare..! :-D
ReplyDeleteHi - Just to let you know that I am passing on the 'One Lovely Blog Award' to you in recognition of your Lovely Blog - I will understand if you don't accept it but if you go to my blog at http://awomanofthesoil.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/one-lovely-blog-award.html then you will see what the conditions of acceptance are.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I do love this garden. It is all perfectly scaled and well composed, but doesn't seem stuffy or artificial, even though it is a highly constructed space. Nice.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. Some wonderful ideas to share. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do like this garden, love all the mixed foliage beds tucked in the shady corners. Wonderful stand of Hakonechloa, mine hasn't done too well. Passed up buying more (even at 75 cents a pot it wasn't worth it)
ReplyDeleteYes this is definately a gardeners garden... could happily spend hours in this garden........see why it is your fav.
ReplyDeleteYes Jennifer this is more like it. What a beautiful garden. This one I would love to own or visit. It is just so warm and inviting and looks like it has been there forever. Just Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden and I absolutely love the statuary.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, it has everything I love in a garden: exceptional foliage and texture, structure, a sense of enclosure, quality finishes (stone and statuary) and stunning vistas. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteYes you are right, we love this more! I specifically hope to have that sedum in a cement basket, what a lovely arrangement. And the plants here seem to be more welcoming guests.
ReplyDeleteI loved the last garden, Jen, but this one is pretty as well. Gardens in our area are few and far between this opulent, and the ones that are, do not participate in garden tours.
ReplyDeleteI sent you some Garden Love from my blog. Check it out! :o) It's the column on the right hand side at the top.
ReplyDeleteImpressive! Quite a delight :) and so welcoming!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Jennifer.
Happy July.
Beautiful garden, I love such places. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteI so loved this display of garden..surely the yellow rose is Golden Celebration? (gotta get me a yellow baptisia!!) All the photos were so inspiring and beautiful; Thank you Jennifer...a pleasure to walk through with you via your camera and commentary.
ReplyDeleteamazing places..
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely glorious. I feel very inadequate as an aspiring gardener
ReplyDeleteI am not sure of the identification of the large-leafed plant on the left just above the hosta. Any ideas?
ReplyDeletehey! might be gunnera! :D
Absolutely beautiful x the foxglove is such a beautiful variety!
ReplyDeleteStunning for a city garden. Very textural. What a treat that must have been. Love the room with the round pond surrounded by box. The pavers around it add to the formality, but it's not so structured that it sends your shoulders to your ears. It's relaxed and graceful. Strongly reminds me of English gardens. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete