Today we’re visiting with Laura Pisko and her lake-house garden on the east shore of Lake Huron in Ontario.
For 10 years I have been developing a pollinator garden in Zone 5. It’s an experiment, amd I have been introducing many native plants. It’s also a monarch butterfly waystation, as it is on the migratory flight path for monarchs.
A monarch fuels up on the nectar of a blooming panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Quickfire’, Zones 3–8) prior to its long flight to Mexico.
A long bed of very floriferous daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids, Zones 4–9) fronts wild indigo (Baptisia australis, Zones 3–9) and other perennials.
A swallowtail sips from a purple cornflower (Centaurea montana, Zones 3–8).
The stately allium ‘Purple Sensation’ (Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’, Zones 3–9) contrasts with a foliage medley: a variegated chartreuse Hosta, purple geraniums (Geranium × magnificum, Zones 4–8), white Canadian anemone (Anemone canadensis, Zones 3–8), and peonies (Paeonia hybrids, Zones 3–8) in the background.
In the fall, native perennials predominate in the lakeside gardens, including black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida, Zones 3–9) and a tall smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve, Zones 3–8).
I love frogs! These little guys are perched above Dalmatian creeping bellflower (Campanula portenschliagiana, Zones 4–8), sheltered under a dappled Japanese willow (Salix integra, Zones 5–7).
I have several clumps of these stunning native showy lady slipper orchids (Cypripedium regale, Zones 2–5). The clumps are expanding in the moist woodland soil.
Peonies are another favorite—gorgeous colors, forms, and scent!
Exotic martagon lilies (Lilium martagon hybrids, Zones 3–8) thrive in dappled shade. I have been planting more of these, although they are not native.
A beautiful Itoh peony ‘Lollipop’
A composition beside the front entrance includes purple clematis (Clematis hybrid, Zones 4–9), blue hostas (Hosta hybrid, Zones 3–9), panicle hydrangea, weigela (Weigela florida, Zones 4–8), male ferns (Dryopteris filix-mas, Zone 4–8).
A view toward Lake Huron with the daylily bed in the foreground
This gorgeous Itoh peony reminds me of red roses.
Early summer border with geraniums, Canada columbine (Aquilegia canadiense, Zones 3–8), variegated hostas, male ferns, and Canada anemone.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers.
- 38 x 7 x 7 inches
- 6.9 pounds
- 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)
Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz.
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life.
Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.
Comments
Beautiful photos, Laura! I especially like one showing the path through to the trees to the lakeside. The trees make a great riparian buffer to protect the lake, and also a beautiful backdrop for your gardens. The frogs are adorable.
Oh my, this is a dreamy garden. Looks so natural and colorful. Thank you for sharing.
A stunning garden. I (and the butterflies) enjoy the wonderful plantings. Great Job.
Lovely and diverse plantings. Love everything. Thanks for sharing.
I'm in love with your garden! I'm so impressed with the layout and the plants you have chosen! I saved several of your garden photos to my Pinterest folder called "Gardens of Inspiration". Your Lady Slippers are thriving, your choices of peonies are not the usual multi petal types and yet they are stunning! Those little frogs on the rock with the Dalmatian creeping bellflower is a nice surprise to come across on the garden path- I just love it what you've created with this garden!
What a beautiful garden! I'm in love with your beautiful peonies, they are stunning... definitely a pollinator heaven!
Your peonies and lady slippers!! Gardening envy has struck again... what a beautiful Eden you've created and the royal frogs are obviously excellent guardians watching over it all.
Stunningly beautiful photos! Congratulations on such a beautiful garden. It's difficult to choose, but my favorite might be your lady slipper orchids.
So tranquil, beautiful!
Gorgeous site - please share more photos in the future!
Idyllic and wonderful. My idea of a peaceful beautiful place. Congratulations on Paradise on Huron
Beautiful garden. I also live near Lake Huron in Ontario, in Sarnia. Your gardens are an inspiration, as we are also starting to plan a pollinator garden on our boulevard strip at the road. Thanks for sharing!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in