Garden Photo of the Day

Karen’s garden in Missouri (4 photos)

Photo/Illustration: All photos courtesy of Karen Frey

Today’s photos are from Karen Frey in O’Fallon, Missouri. She says, “I have been gardening here for about 15 years now. When I started there was nothing but a complete blank slate. My garden is mainly made up of perennials and annuals to fill in the empty spots. I love unusual plants and I am constantly trying new things. Over the years I have been slowly adding beds and pathways. The front and side yards are the main areas where I have gardened the most. Though the back yard also has a lot as well. My goal is to have no grass left. I am getting close in the front yard.” What a happy, colorful garden, Karen! It must give you such joy. Thanks for sharing it with us!

**** The push is still on–get outside and take some last minute shots, or compile a few you took earlier in the season. I’ll be eternally grateful…. Email them to [email protected]. Thanks! ****

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Comments

  1. user-1020932 11/08/2013

    lots of color/work and satisfaction. glad to see it all. Karen, in the first photo what is the small yellow plant just to the right of the coreopsis? and further back the dark leafed plant in the pot sitting on top of the brick edging. i'm curious about both of those

  2. tractor1 11/08/2013

    I also enjoy unusual plants, I plant uncommon trees. I like that Karen used organic mulch for pathways, makes for easy modification. That's a very colorful assortment, more pictures, please.

  3. User avater
    meander_michaele 11/08/2013

    Wow, left to romp to its heart's content, the chartreuse sweet potato vine sure makes an amazing groundcover and it looks particularly great in front of a dark leafed canna plant. They make the walkway to your front porch feel kind of tropical! I also like the massing of coleus in picture #2.

  4. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 11/08/2013

    I know grass can be nice, but I do like a garden better! Haven't used sweet potato vines for a long time. I'm inspired by your mass planting.

  5. Quiltingmamma 11/08/2013

    I also was struck with the impact of the sweet potato vine. Here it is just a summer annual that never gets that big. Also love the blue accents. All lovely and homey. Thanks.

  6. karenm7459 11/08/2013

    The yellow plant to the right of the coreopsis is a pine called 'Skylands'. It if very slow growing. I started with a real small starter plant that I bought in the Bonsai plant section. This plant is about 3 years old now. The plant in the pot is a Rex Begonia Vine. It is a new acquisition and I love it. Very beautiful and easy. I brought it in just a few weeks ago for the winter. Hopefully it will do well. Thanks to all for your wonderful comments.

  7. cwheat000 11/08/2013

    Karen, your gardens are lively and fun. I love the combo in the second photo. I am looking at it on a small screen. Is that agastache, betony, and a pink/red coreopsis, and something with great purple foliage? From a distance, the tone on tone effect is smashing.

  8. annek 11/08/2013

    If plants could talk, this garden would yell, " Happy! We're all happy!" Sweet, uplifting combinations. I'll echo some of the other comments....more photos please

  9. GardenersWK 11/08/2013

    I like the unusual plants and combinations! What a cornucopia of colors! That Cissus Discolor "Rex Begonia Vine" is on my list to get but now I need to add the "Skylands" pine! I saw a mature specimen on this website and I am in love!
    http://www.hatchergarden.org/images/inSeason/20100511/(Picea%20orientalis)%20Oriental%20Spruce%20'Skylands'.JPG

  10. GardenersWK 11/08/2013

    A shorter link for a mature "Skyland" pine is here:
    http://www.hatchergarden.org/In-Season-May11-2010.shtml

  11. iccarrion 11/08/2013

    Such color, it looks wonderful! I especially love the sweet potato vine as a ground cover, will be stealing that idea next year!

  12. wildthyme 11/08/2013

    Lucky you, Karen, to be able to use cannas with such abandon! The yellows & blues are terrific together some of my favorite color combinations.

  13. sheila_schultz 11/08/2013

    A happy and colorful garden is the perfect end to our GPOD week. Thanks Karen, all the love you have put into your garden beds must make all of your neighbors smile!

  14. GrannyMay 11/08/2013

    Such a cheerful alternative to grass! Good for you Karen!

  15. user-7006902 11/08/2013

    It is always wonderful to hear gardeners say I want to get rid of my lawn - of which you are doing a beautiful job! You are similar to me in your method (of madness?). I began with a blank slate and now I am trying to install some pathways among the beds so that I can get into them to maintain them - and add plants. More and more plants! I bet it is a wonderful journey to walk among your winding paths.

  16. pattyspencer 11/08/2013

    Beautiful garden areas

  17. wittyone 11/08/2013

    What a nice front yard you have, it makes the house look so welcoming.

    The agastache is gorgeous. I started several (about the same color as yours) from seed this year and they are doing pretty well. Hope they get a nice and robust as yours.

    Love your sign!

  18. user-1020932 11/08/2013

    i thought that was Skylands oriental spruce but wanted to confirm. after a number of years they "take off" mine is about 15 ft now so get ready 'cuz it's gonna grow

  19. Neha4 07/25/2021

    The pictures shows your hard work and its so beautiful to watch freerobuxtips their are many to learn for me. Thank you to share.

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