We’re visiting with Anita Drendel today.

I garden in Yorkville, Illinois. I have about 20 different garden areas, including six 3-foot tall raised garden beds for my vegetables.

Huge flower heads of ornamental onions (Allium sp.) show off in the back, with salmon Osteospermum (Zones 9–11 or as an annual) and purple Scaevola (Zones 10–11 or as an annual) in front.

Hardy hibiscus, aka rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus, Zone 5 – 9) is a dependable bloomer and is great for adding a punch of color to the midsummer garden.

A large-flowered clematis (Clematis hybrids, Zones 4–8) has been trained up the fence in the background, while a smaller blue clematis hybrid blooms in front. In the middle, an asparagus fern (Asparagus densiiflorus, Zones 9–11 or as an annual or houseplant) gives great texture from its dense foliage.

It looks like purple flowers are the theme in this area.

Look at this gorgeous Siberian iris (Iris hybrid, Zones 3–8)! Siberian irises are durable, very-easy-to-grow plants that thrive in a wide range of conditions, and newer breeding has really given them ever more beautiful and dramatic flowers.

A Virginia ctenucha moth stops by to check out the sunny blooms of a Coreopsis.

Hot colors only here, with Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia, annual) in the center covered with bright orange flowers. Mexican sunflower is a great long-blooming plant, and butterflies love the blooms.

Wow—a perfect, romantic, English-style rose. I bet this smells amazing in person!

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