Hi GPODers!

In yesterday’s post on Cherry Ong’s sensational fall garden (A Cold but Colorful November in Cherry’s Garden), I mentioned the other series of photos she shared from the stunning public garden visited recently. While I was tempted to tease you all and make you wait until next week to see some of those fabulous photos, I decided to spread some good cheer and start her series on fall in Heronswood Garden. Cherry has visited the garden in Kingston, Washington several times in the past (Check out her previous Heronswood submissions: The Woodland Garden at Heronswood, The Blue and Yellow Garden at Heronswood, and A Bog Garden), and we get to see even more from her recent trip. Today, we’re getting an update from Heronwood’s unique bog garden with interesting aquatic and carnivorous plants.

Here are fall scenes (end of October 2024) at the hornbeam hedge (Carpinus betulus, Zones 4–8) and Bog Garden at Heronswood Garden. The lovely dahlia flower courtyard is designed by Riz Reyes (Assistant director at Heronswood) of course. The plant combination is worth emulating next summer.

The focal point and main attraction of the bog garden is of course the small but spectacular pond surrounded by a plethora of pitcher plants. The incredible arches of the hornbeam hedge that surround make an eye-catching backdrop.

To lure insects into their long traps, pitcher plants have leaves that rival the brightest blooms. This bright white variety with deep red veins appear to be crimson or “white-topped” pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla, Zones 6–9). Though native to Georgia, coastal Florida, Mississippi and Alabama, the plants seem to be thriving in the Pacific Northwest.

A closer look at these fascinating plants allows us to see the intricate details in those ruffled leafs. It’s not surprise that flies and other insects get tricked by these dazzling patterns.

As with many public gardens, the structures around Heronswood are just as pleasing as the many plants on display. Wooden trellises allow for plants to envelop the space and extend the greenery.

Another angle of the bog garden, and more of those amazing arched hedges. I love that the hedges create a secluded space that feels private, while still allowing for a view of the gardens full of foliage beyond.

Beyond the bog garden is the courtyard of dahlia beds that Cherry mentioned in her intro. The arched hornbeam hedge also culminates in this area with a simple, empty planter pot standing as an elegant focal point.

The dahlias on display appear to be the striking ‘Bishop of Dover’ (Dahlia ‘Bishop of Dover’, Zones 9–11, with tubers dug up and overwintered in colder climates). Deep chocolate-colored stems produce equally dark foliage and light flowers that pop with contrast. The flowers are mainly white, but if you look closely you can see their subtle, pink/lavender flush.

In the late-season garden, dahlias provide lasting blooms that are usually a perfect compliment to the changing foliage. Riz, of course, created lovely combinations of clumps of red fountain grasses.

Lastly, a close-up of that understated focal point pot reveals a world of color variations that can’t be seen from further away. A really successful focal point does both, pops in the landscape from far away as well as draws you in to look closer and enjoy its more subtle details.

As I alluded to above, Cherry sent photos from a few different parts of her trip to Heronswood, and the bog garden is only the beginning. Tomorrow, we will be returning to the garden with Cherry to see even more of the fall plants that were on display. In the coming weeks we’ll see some unique photos she took while spending time with the garden’s assistant director, Riz Reyes.

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 [email protected] 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.

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