Garden Photo of the Day

John’s Maryland Garden

Containers, shrubs, trees, and ponds all working together

large stone steps leading through the garden with ground covers and container plantings

My name is John Rohde. My garden is located 15 miles north of Baltimore in Towson, Maryland, in Zone 7b. This is the second full year for this pandemic garden. I enjoy mixing annuals and perennials with trees and tropicals in containers. There is a water feature, tubs of lotus, a patio, and a vegetable garden at the rear of my house.

garden with winding brick path around a small treeThis is the approach to the rear garden. The small tree on the right is a shadblow serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis, Zones 4–8).

small shrub growing in a pot next to brick pathThe plant in the container is a Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ (Zones 5–8) that survives the winter in this location. The tree on the right is a black gum (Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wild Fire’, Zones 3–9) that shades the deck.

shade garden with various foliage plantsThese are the steps that lead down to the lower garden. The iris-like plant is a Belamacanda chinensis ‘Freckle Face’ (Zones 5–10) with assorted hostas on the right.

large stone steps leading through the garden with ground covers and container plantingsThis picture of the steps was taken from the bottom looking up. This is a wonderful location to show off small hostas, ground covers, perennials, and bulbs. The area has good light and is well drained. The Japanese lantern in the distance is lighted. ‘Phenomenal’ lavender (Lavandula ‘Phenomenal’, Zones 5–9) is planted in a dish planter on a pillar above the pond.

close up of water feature with lily pads and other plants growing insideThe pond is constructed with a liner, lights, and a fountain.

above view of garden patio with lots of container plantingsThis is a view of the patio from the deck above. The small tree to the right is a seedling Japanese maple with many perennials and tropicals in containers. The container tree is a Carolina silverbell (Halesia caroliniana, Zones 4–8). There is a curved retaining wall to the right with ‘Tardiva’ hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’, Zones 3–8) on the low side. One of the nine lotus in containers is visible on this patio.

above view of full grow vegetable gardenThis is a view of the fenced vegetable garden with three compost bins and a partial view of the plants without homes. I grow blueberries, tomatoes and asparagus.

deck covered in containers with tropical plantsOn the upper deck are containers of hibiscus, many clivia, tropicals, and Wisteria frutescens (Zones 5–9). I will grow anything in a container.

close up of a frog in a pot filled with waterI hope you enjoyed your trip through my garden.

 

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Comments

  1. sandyprowse 07/25/2023

    Just absolutely delightful! What a place. I loved it.

  2. MohawkValley 07/25/2023

    Very nice ! Lots of places to hang one's hat and enjoy the different areas that boast their own "personality" . Keep on planting !

  3. User avater
    musabasjoosue 07/25/2023

    Nice work! What a peaceful and relaxing space.

  4. angelaobrienruff 07/25/2023

    Beautiful! This tranquil landscape belies the hard work and vision that it must have taken to arrive at this point. Thank you for letting us tour your garden.

  5. user-7699885 07/25/2023

    I appreciate the diversity of plant material, the curved walkway, and overall meticulousness of the garden. Keep up the good work!

  6. btucker9675 07/25/2023

    This is an absolutely gorgeous garden - your sense of style and balance is perfect! I'm thinking of doing a small "pond" in my garden to maybe keep the frogs from flinging themselves into our swimming pool. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful space.

  7. user-7821942 07/25/2023

    Very inspiring! I love the hardscaping that frames your garden spaces and your knack for using plants in the landscape. Your use of containers for such a variety of plants is well worth emulating. Thanks for sharing.

  8. erla 07/25/2023

    Such a lovely garden just full of so many of the plants that I have in my garden. I am sure you never lack for something to do!! I would like to know the name of the plants that follow up the stone steps on the left. They are so neat, compact and attractive. Thank you. Erla, Independence, OR

  9. jeremywalsh 07/26/2023

    Beautiful. Well done.

  10. User avater
    simplesue 07/26/2023

    Perfection! I love your garden- GREAT design! And oh that pretty water feature with the ornamental stone piece and the lily pads- wow!

  11. User avater
    Sofia_Cole 08/25/2023

    You certainly never lack for things to do! The name of the plants that ascend the left-hand stone steps would be helpful Wikipedia page creation cost.

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