Comments

1. 
   perenniallycrazy 04/29/2016

   Love your garden John and Rhonda! That outdoor fireplace is to die for. Great shrub and perennial choices, too. That stream - are those Tyson Weiss fish I see? I was so taken by the school displayed at the NWFGS recently but your's is for real and even better. Hope you check back in with more photos later in the Spring.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Hi Cherry!
   They are Tyson Weiss fish! They come with poles to suspend them over plants, but none of the hosta are tall enough yet. Tyson was so generous- he sent larger ones than I ordered at no extra charge! I will check back with more photos, I just love being part of this blog! I rush to find it every morning. You all are such an inspiration to me!

2. 
   user-7007498 04/29/2016

   Great job, John and Rhonda. My garden is in Harrisburg, so we are probably not too far away. The fireplace is awesome. Love the stream. I also love the Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust'. Great plant to brighten up a shady location. Mine came through unscathed this winter (but the previous 2 winters were pretty tough on it). I like creeping jenny as an accent in a container. Very brave in the garden. I once let it escape from a pot, and it took me 3 years to extract it from all the plants it ran over. Thanks for sharing.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Kevin, you are so right! My hubby loves it but I can see it's going to take a lot of work to keep it contained. We were trying to find a low groundcover that cuts down on the 15 yards of mulch! I know the choice was not wise...come over some time!!!

1. 
   meander_michaele 04/29/2016

   Hi, Rhonda, I am an evangelist for a ground cover called veronica 'Georgia Blue' when it comes to weed suppressing. It's a bit like creeping phlox but its rooting system is denser and, hence, less hospitable for weed seeds to find a happy place to germinate.My goal every year, is to plant additional ground covers that are low and tight like little creeping sedums and this variety of veronica and yes, i have a good bit of creeping jenny as well. I also go through copious quantities of mulch.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Thanks Michaele! I'll make a note of it!

2. 
   eddireid 04/30/2016

   I am a ground cover fan, too. I really dislike large expanses of mulch and work on the cramming principle. Please try sweet woodruff. The plant is delightful and pulls out easily, it has beautiful starry leaves and little white flowers in April onwards. I stuff it into bare spots all over. Love it.
   We also have a bunch of other ground covers and use golden basket sedum extensively.
   I learn so much from you all and seeing the GPOD pictures of everyone's hard work is a daily treat.
   Rhonda, your whole garden is beautiful, but Oh! The stream! Well done indeed.

1. 
   meander_michaele 04/30/2016

   Hi, Eddi, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm a big fan of sweet woodruff although I've always considered it a shade lover. I've never tried it in sunny locations. Should I ? It is certainly perfectly named with the word"sweet" because it is just so dear.

3. 
   user-3565112 04/29/2016

   Everything about your garden is perfect. The 3rd. photo makes it appear as though the stream originates in a forest in the background. The craftsmanship on the bluestone patio & stone fireplace is outstanding. Good luck this spring, Joe

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Thanks Joe, but I was careful to show you only the good parts...all living things change and evolve so I'm glad the work is a joy!

4. 
   NCYarden 04/29/2016

   Lovely garden, guys. That stream is wonderful - such a great feature. And definitely struck with that awesome outdoor fire place...not going to be able to show this post to my wife today as she has been wanting just such a feature in our garden (she even just mentioned it again this past weekend)...someday...sigh. Is that a Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight' I see twisting behind that dazzling Acuba? And of course I cannot get away without commenting on that beautiful Japanese maple...what a great specimen and focus in your garden. Thanks for sharing.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   I'm not sure of the climbing hydrangea cultivar but it didn't get blooms for 8 years! Only because I tidied them up in the spring and cut them off!!!!! We all live and learn! The other funny thing is there are 3 aucubas there but the others look like sticks so I carefully left them out of the pictures! We should all send in pictures of our failures!

1. 
   NCYarden 04/29/2016

   Great and unique idea on posting our garden failures, Rhonda! I just shudder a bit thinking of the volumes I just might fill.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   I would have to feature my 2 leaf Aucubas!

5. 
   meander_michaele 04/29/2016

   Thanks so much, John and Rhonda, for the invitation to cyber visit your garden. Double, triple, YOWZA on that glorious Japanese maple that you described as a once upon a time "stick"...talk about a fairy tale with a happy ending. It is the prince or princess of everyone's dreams. And, speaking of dreams come true, add me to the list of ardent admirers of our outdoor fireplace...that is one very (very) handsome structure!

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Hi Michaele,
   That fireplace is used every weekend that the weather is over 30 degrees! We love having people over to watch 'hippie TV' as our daughter calls it! Best money I've ever spent!

6. 
   HelloFromMD 04/29/2016

   Hi John & Rhonda, what a treat for me this morning to see your beautiful stream. I have hardly been on my computer since spring arrived early here. Along with the unseasonably warm temperatures came millions of weeds. My mulch is gone and I have been working way too hard outside. Speaking of hard work, did you put in the stream yourselves? It looks grand. From the photos, your yard looks flat so I am curious on how you created your elevation and brought the boulders in. Your patio is awesome and I hope you have lots of wonderful entertainment there.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   We had Dean Stafford, of Deans Landscaping put all the hardscape in. He and his team did a fantastic job and I would recommend them heartily!

7. 
   frankgreenhalgh 04/29/2016

   Great garden Rhonda and John. Fantastic water feature and fire area! Thanks for sharing.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Thank you Frank, we enjoy it year round!

8. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   By Noot, do you mean the Alaskan Cedar? I drug that home one day in my old station wagon, and it has been happy!!!!

9. 
   Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 04/29/2016

   So many great features and focal points in your garden. Your Japanese maple is quite amazing, as is your cypress. What color is your witch hazel when it booms. Bought my first one this spring. Great boulders and water feature. The crew did a great job and your plantings really compliment it.
   Don't you just adore the long-lasting blooms of the double blood-root?! They sparkle when the sun hits them.
   Happy spring gardening.

1. 
   user-4691082 04/29/2016

   Hi Tim!
   I bought that sanguiniara last year when I saw it featured on this blog! It was 25.00 so I am waiting for it to multiply!!!! My witch hazel is orangey when it blooms-it excites me because it blooms at odd times when nothing else seems alive! Thank you for the kind words!

1. 
   Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 04/29/2016

   The sanguinaria is a slow and steady spreader, so reliable and so easy to divide. My witch hazel is 'Jelena'-probably quite similar to yours. Keep those garden updates coming, Rhonda!

2. 
   meander_michaele 04/29/2016

   Thanks to you, Tim, I noticed and identified to myself the blood-root.

1. 
   Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 04/29/2016

   I think I'll start a second career as a plant publicist or evangelist....
   :)

1. 
   eddireid 04/30/2016

   You already did. You are my go to plant guru!

1. 
   Cenepk10 05/01/2016

   Mine too... That Tim.,. An amazing Headful of Facts !!!!

10. 
    sheila_schultz 04/29/2016

    Rhonda and John, your property is so delightfully happy with all the spring blooms and the gorgeous water feature... no wonder you love working outside! I'm such a sucker for boulders, I'm eager to see summer images down the road.
    BTW, I'm also heavy on creeping jenny, she's such a happy thug... it's a good thing she makes almost everything pop above her yellow blanket!

11. 
    user-4691082 04/29/2016

    Thanks, Sheila for saying something encouraging about my 'creepy jenny' as my husband Johnny calls it! I think Kevin Kelly is right about it taking over, though. I'll send some more photos as the season continues...

12. 
    Cenepk10 04/29/2016

    How gorgeous!!!!! Amazing collection!!!! I really enjoyed. Love love love that cypress.

13. 
    Cenepk10 04/29/2016

    I'll take your creepy Jenny too. I can't get enough of it. Love it.

14. 
    schatzi 04/29/2016

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Love the stream and boulders and the magnificent fireplace. The plantings are lovely, even Jenny. She is bright and pretty. Love Hellebores - I have acquired 27 that bloom all winter. Pretty much done now that other things are blooming. Like rhodies and azaleas and double file viburnum, to name a few. Happy Spring!

15. 
    GrannyMay 04/29/2016

    Gorgeous garden, Rhonda! Totally get why you would want to spend all day there. The waterfall and stream would be my favourite place to hang out, or maybe by the welcoming fireplace. We once purchased our home because there was a lovely Weeping Alaska Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula') which caught my attention and then we saw that the house was for sale.

16. 
    wGardens 04/29/2016

    Wow! Just love that stream~ all those wonderful boulders and great plantings! What joy your gardens must give you every day. Any upcoming projects?

17. 
    user-4691082 04/29/2016

    I learned something new today! Thanks Diane!

18. 
    mjensen 04/29/2016

    beautiful, love the water feature

19. 
    erla 04/30/2016

    Your landscaping around your stream is so lovely. I'm keeping your picture in my file for future reference. It is so interesting to see where Spring is "at" across the country. Here in Oregon, my Hostas are up and Sluggoed and the witch hazels are all leafed out. I'm sure your beds will be even more beautiful when your Hostas are up. Thanks for sharing.

20. 
    user-7008037 05/01/2016

    Your garden is gorgeous, Rhonda! It's gardens like yours that inspire my envy and make me feel sad about living on the second floor....
    You've done a wonderful job and I'd love to spend the entire day in this garden as well if it were mine :D