Today we’re in Pennsylvania visiting with Wendy Quereau.
I hope everyone enjoys some glimpses of warmer days enjoyed in 2020 here in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Happy gardening everyone! Here’s to many horticultural successes in 2021!
Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Airbrush Effect’, Zones 4–9) are hybrids of species native to North America and bring huge, tropical-looking flowers to cold climates. As a bonus, they are relatively (though not completely) deer resistant. Just watch out for Japanese beetles, which love to snack on them.
This ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum, annual) and winter pansy (Viola × wittrockiana, cool season annual) combo lasted from early October through mid-December.
Not only does this species of peony (Paeonia obovata, Zones 5–8) have incredibly beautiful seed heads, but it is also one of the peonies that will grow and bloom best in shaded conditions. Most traditional peonies prefer full sun.
Another long-lasting fall container combo.
In an attempt to establish a woodland garden 40 years ago, I put in my very first planting of hosta (Note: it looks like it might be the variety Hosta ‘Francee’, Zones 3–9). This planting started as a lucky, not yet wilted, freebie spotted in a neighborhood trash can that was enough for an instant drift.
Newly planted woodlander, an Asian mayapple (Podophyllum ‘Spotty Dotty’, Zones 6–9).
I still love the vigor and constant color of a mandevilla (Mandevilla hybrid, Zones 9–10 or as annual), no matter how common it is. I refuse to be a plant snob!
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Comments
Beautiful flowers! Love the hosta drift!
I agree - the hostas look terrific!
Wendy - thank you for sharing some of your beautiful garden with us. I looked up more about Paeonia obovata - apparently it can thrive in sun or shade - that would be so great in certain locations!
My goodness that peony is really something. Looks like the Martians just landed! Guess it fits into the 2020-2021 scheme of things-----Uh-Oh here comes something weird and strange again!
Love your story about rescuing the hosta plant that has now thanked you many times over!
Those (Podophyllum ‘Spotty Dotty’ sure have my attention! Never saw or heard of that type of Mayapple until now!
They are really a cool woodland plant that I've never come across, and I'm think I'm gunna try to order some of those online if I can!
and ooooh to think of that poor wilted Hosta in a trash can and now it's happy and thriving and huge! Great story! Pretty garden!
Your woodland garden is so lovely - the bleeding hearts with the hostas - perfect! Thanks for sharing your pretty garden.
I sure do hope GOPD gardeners will follow your lead in creating monocultural drifts of each variety of Hosta that choose for their shady gardens. Even if one doesn't come by a large clump, it's quite easy to divide Hosta annually to build a drift over time. Not only is there great opportunity to shape those drifts into something dramatic in the composition of the planting beds, but maintenance is simplified if/when deadheading the flower scapes.
Thanks for posting! We have Hosta Francee too, sure hope it looks as good as yours - still a few more years!
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