Garden Photo of the Day

A Focal Point Makes all the Difference

By Alexandra Dittrich

Terry Chance's garden is whimsical, colorful, and charming.

"Here are a few pics of my garden this year.  We have had a nice summer so far with enough rain to make everything so pretty.  I started gardening around 1990 but really in earnest when the pergola was built in 1999.  It sure helps to have a focal point when planting a garden.  I live in Kansas where the weather is very unpredictable."

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Comments

  1. perenniallycrazy 07/28/2016

    Hi Terry. I have a feeling that I've seen your garden before and the now photos looked like your garden is maturing quite beautifully. If I recall correctly, didn't your son (or a close relative) build this awesome pergola for you? If I am mistaken, please forgive me. The Kansas weather and your loving hand seem to be working perfectly in growing your vibrant garden.

    1. frankgreenhalgh 07/28/2016

      Congratulations Cherry - a 'bonzer' of an effort. Competition I say Kev!

      1. user-7007498 07/28/2016

        Cherry- your memory is 'blinding'.

    2. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      My goodness you have a good memory. Yes Fine Gardning has featured my garden before. My son did build the pergola and garden shed. He was killed when he was 27 in an accident 13 years ago so the garden is a special place and has helped me get through the agony of losing him. Thank you!

  2. frankgreenhalgh 07/28/2016

    Hello there Terry - The pergola certainly is a feature of your colourful garden. Fits in well with the white fencing. Is that a horse paddock next door? And is the straw mulch from the stables? - or am I crazy? (nothing to do with you Cherry, below!). Cheers

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      The little garden shed is where we keep garden tools, etc. I use a lot of straw for mulching but don't have any horses! Haha

  3. user-7007498 07/28/2016

    Terry: Your pergola is stunning. I love the 'layering'. Terrific daylillies. They sure brighten up the early to mid-summer landscape.

    So are Kansans stealing all the rain, and keeping us dry on the east coast?
    I actually spent 10 years in Kansas. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

  4. user-4691082 07/28/2016

    Good morning Terry! Your daylilies are so pretty, and I agree with Kevin, the layered pergola is so beautiful! I see it is lighted, so you may be relaxing there in the evening. I love the wrought iron window box and the fact we can see you(?) in the reflection. Thanks for posting.

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      This made me smile! I had not noticed I was reflected in the glass!

  5. diane_lasauce 07/28/2016

    Very pretty vistas Terry. I especially love the vintage window box. Do tell us about that find. Diane

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      I found it at a local shop. It is new but I really like it too.

  6. User avater
    meander_michaele 07/28/2016

    Nothing puts a smile on my face like a daylily with great substance and beautiful crinkled edges...your pink one lined in yellow is a stunner. Looks like it is a generous multiplier...which only adds to its allure. Do you happen to know the name of this variety? Love your generous sized pergola and I can well imagine what a popular gathering spot it is for visitors to your home and garden.

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      This day lily is called, Clothed In Glory. One of my favorites. this is a close up of it.

      1. User avater
        meander_michaele 07/29/2016

        Absolutely exquisite.

  7. NCYarden 07/28/2016

    Very pleasant garden, Terry. It has progressed very nicely. I like that the pergola is lit, I bet it is fantastic in the evenings. I really like that sage(? - Mexican? Santa Barbara?) with the blue gray stems and leaves beneath those bright purple flowers - it's a nice focal plant. Can you please share of your 'nice summer" with us here on the east...pleeeeeeeeease.

    1. User avater
      Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 07/28/2016

      Rain and a little cooler today in Ohio. Sending your way next (I hope!).

    2. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      This is another pic that shows the lights at night better.

      1. NCYarden 07/29/2016

        Yes, that is a great setting!

  8. DarliBarli 07/28/2016

    A spectacular garden...wonderful day lily species. I simply LOVE it!!!!

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      Thank you....I love sharing it with others!

  9. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 07/28/2016

    So nice. Love the pine needle mulch, pergola and the pizza-crust edge on the daylily in the second photo. Can someone please breed some week-lilies from these daylilies?

    1. sheila_schultz 07/28/2016

      Pizza crust edge? Perfect visual ;)

      1. User avater
        Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 07/28/2016

        I think I might have stolen that phrase from a breeder, but for this forum, I am claiming to have coined the term.....
        :)

  10. sheila_schultz 07/28/2016

    The white fence, the pergola, the curved beds filled with your colorful lilies... what's not to love? You must smile every time you gaze out your windows, Terry, you've created so much beauty! I love it!
    BTW, when Jim and I first married we dreamed of someday having some land surrounded by a white fence, just like yours. Our savings envelope was called, 'White Fence Farm'. 43 years later, we still don't have that white fence!

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      I hope you get one soon!

    2. perenniallycrazy 07/29/2016

      Happy 43rd Sheila and Jim! Yehey to you two!

      1. sheila_schultz 07/29/2016

        Thanks Cherry!

  11. caskinner 07/28/2016

    Just beautiful.....

  12. GrannyCC 07/28/2016

    Congratulations on your beautiful garden. Love the pergola and all the daylilies. I am not usually a fan as I wish they would last more than one day but yours are beautiful. Is that a salvia in the last picture?

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      No, it is loosestrife, I think that is what it called. I think in the south it is invasive but I have had it a long time and has not been for me.

  13. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 07/28/2016

    Terry, that pergola makes such a great seating area for enjoying your perrenial beds and I can imagine some fun gatherings taking place there. Those ruffled Daylilies ( pizza edges, funny Tim) are something that I'd love to grow but drought and deer take them out of the mix. When I did grow them in WI, I was always frustrated by their short blooming time. Do you stagger your lily varieties to have blooms all summer or just plant other performers around them? Your sweeping type of perrenial beds are very appealing. Thanks for the tour.

    1. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

      I have daylilies blooming from the end of May to close to the end of July. They are the best from mid June to mid July. Daylilies are one of my favorite perenials.

      1. User avater
        LindaonWhidbey 07/29/2016

        Where do you garden, Gwen? We have such a summer drought that I'm not sure that I could keep Daylilies going here in the PNW rain shadow. You should post some photos.

        1. User avater
          LindaonWhidbey 07/29/2016

          Oh, sorry, Gwen. I guess I didn't realize that you were one in the same as the poster of this beautiful garden.

  14. Meelianthus 07/28/2016

    Beautiful pergola with surrounding gardens so full of lush color. I love the window box, so very charming and perfect plantings. Wonderful tour of all your gardening labor. Thanks

  15. OneKSGardner 07/28/2016

    Thank you all for the nice comments. I love sharing my garden with others.

  16. Cenepk10 07/29/2016

    Love that pergola!!!! Certainly is a focal point. Wish I could visit in person, looks so lovely & goes on & on & on !!!! Very nice

  17. wGardens 07/29/2016

    You have some wonderful daylilies and wow! What a colorful garden you have! Great pergola~ I can imagine that is a setting for many fine gatherings! Awesome window box.

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