Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Here Come the Podophyllums, Part 2

More of a stunning shade garden

We’re back for more of Cherry Ong’s visit to a great garden today, one that she saw on a tour organized by the Vancouver Hardy Plant Society last summer. This is a collector’s shade garden, full of lots of beautiful and unusual plants, including a stunning collection of Podophyllum (mayapples; hardiness varies, but mostly Zones 6–9).

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9) is one of the few true grasses that thrives in the shade. Its soft texture spilling over the stones of the path is just magic.

A simple urn provides great contrast to the endless shades of green that make up this garden.

I think the plant on the left with the bold foliage and blue berries beginning to ripe is a species of Diphylleia. A simple terra-cotta sphere is a perfect accent to all the plants.

Looking closer, you can see that green art glass is mixed into the planting. The effect is so subtle you don’t notice it at first, but it adds another whole dimension to this planting.

The path leads you to a charming little garden shed tucked in amid all the foliage.

It isn’t all green. Here are some dreamy blue poppies (Meconopsis, Zones 4–8), which are so hard to grow in climates with hot summers.

Pulmonaria (Zones 3–8) brings beautiful silver-spotted leaves to this planting.

Magnolia sieboldii (Zones 6–8) has flowers that tend to nod and hang down, making them perfect for viewing from below as the plant matures.

This space proves you don’t need sun or a lot of flowers to make a great garden. Pure magic.

 

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Comments

  1. sandyprowse 03/15/2024

    Absolutely delightful! A thrill to view. Thank you for posting.

  2. JaySifford 03/15/2024

    Just beautiful.

  3. user-7821942 03/15/2024

    Beautiful. Poetic. Soothing. Thanks so much for sharing this amazing garden with us.

  4. User avater
    cynthia2020 03/15/2024

    Gorgeous. Tranquil.

  5. User avater
    simplesue 03/15/2024

    Wow this is my kind of garden- so true- pure magic for sure!

  6. janetsydoruk 03/15/2024

    Just a beautiful garden.

  7. CarolIntheGarden 03/15/2024

    So lush and green! I envy your being able to grow blue Meconopsis! Everything is dazzling!

  8. btucker9675 03/15/2024

    This is an amazing garden in every way. And that blue poppy!!! Beam me to this garden, Scottie!

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