Garden description: Our garden is primarily a shade garden though we do have some sunny areas. We created our woodland garden to be more naturalistic with lots of paths for our grandkids to race on. This area is not formally mulched, and rarely watered other than establishing new plants. Blooms in our yard start in February and continue till frost . It is an always changing and a challenge to keep a succession of blooming plants, and a variety of colors and textures.
Who are the gardeners: Just my husband and I care for the garden, although the squirrels often try to help.
Why do you garden: I garden for the sense of accomplishment, the creative outlet, and to promote a habitat for insects, birds, and animals. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting out in the morning with a cup of coffee and watching the birds and other wildlife. Gardening lifts my spirits!
How has gardening impacted you during this time: This spring and summer our garden has gotten lots of extra care and attention. It has always been a stress relief to work in the garden and especially during this challenging time.
What do you have in your garden? Our shade garden and woodland gardens are full of ephemerals in early spring which make use of the sun before the trees leaf out. We push the limits to find plants that will bloom during the summer in shadier conditions and we are loving native azaleas! Shade- hosta, ferns, hydrangea, heucheras, tiarellas, hakone grass, spigelia, hardy orchids, thalictrum, astilbe, turtleheads, scutelleria, native azaleas, anemones, hellebores, columbines, and hardy begonias. Sun- lilies, asclepius, phlox, sedums, cone flowers, day lilies, asters, peonies, geraniums, clematis, penstemons, alliums, and Joe pye weed, liatris, and daisies. We also have a miniature/Fairy garden and a vegetable garden. Flowering shrubs and small trees add extra shade and delineate the edge of the property.
Do you have any problems with disease or pests? If so, how are you dealing with this problem? Deer are a challenge and managed by fishing line fences and deer spray. When occasional diseases or pests become a problem we choose the most environmentally friendly solution.
