Garden Photo of the Day

Maxine’s Summer Garden in British Columbia

Dahlias, hydrangeas, and more!

By GPOD Contributor

Today we’re revisiting the summer garden of Maxine in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

My gardening hobby spans many decades, ever since I was in 4H almost 70 years ago. I grow a huge garden as well with two greenhouses full of tomatoes and Swiss chard. Right now, dessert is the sweet, ripe cantaloupes. My little patch of raspberries gave me 60 jars of jam.

This is only a small part of the yard where shrubs and a myriad of flowers delight us throughout the warm spring and fall months. I hope this will bring a smile to your face.

I experience a great deal of happiness growing a variety of dahlias and gifting bouquets throughout the summer.

Swallows come back each year to this birdhouse, and they get to enjoy the daylilies as well.

Star Gazer lily
‘Star Gazer’ lily (Lilium ‘Star Gazer’, Zones 4–8) doesn’t disappoint. I grow this lily in memory of my mother, who taught me different constellations when I was a wee girl 70 years ago. To me it signifies purity, and I await the beautiful blooms every year.

white oriental lily
A white Oriental lily (Lilium, Oriental hybrid group, Zones 4–8)

Hydrangeas are also a favorite in my flower garden. (This is a blue variety known as a lacecap for the ring of large, showy flowers surrounding the lacy, delicate fertile inner flowers.)

The flower heads on this panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 4–7) are blushing from white to pink.

 

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 gpod@taunton.com 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.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.
Buy at Amazon

Gilmour 811673-1001 Sprinkler

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- 43-ft. spray distance (up to 5, 800 sq. ft. coverage)
- Adjustable collar for partial- to full-circle coverage
- Dial precisely sets spray distance
- On/off switch eliminates trips from sprinkler to spigot
Buy at Amazon

Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2" overall with 1" blades for cutting stems up to 3/8" in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2" needle-nose shears with 2" fine-tip blades for precise work.
Buy at Lee Valley
X
View 8 comments

Comments

  1. Carolyn3134 10/05/2020

    Lovely!!! I admire your stamina to do such work!!

  2. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/05/2020

    Oh, my, how very, very pretty. I see what looks like a greenhouse. What do you grow there or do you put some of your plants in there for winter?

    1. User avater
      treasuresmom 10/05/2020

      Well, shame on me. A greenhouse was referenced in the description. What about your fence & hill/slope. What all do you have growing there?

      1. User avater
        bdowen 10/05/2020

        What a beautiful garden. What a lot of garden! Do you have helpers or is this your 24/7 job/ love? Thank you for sharing.

  3. User avater
    simplesue 10/05/2020

    You are an inspiration to any gardener of any age!
    Flowers! and fruits! and vegetables! all in one garden and all done so perfectly and beautifully!
    Wow 60 jars of homemade raspberry jam!
    You are amazing!
    And your garden is amazing too!

  4. btucker9675 10/05/2020

    What a spectacular garden! You are incredible!

  5. Maggieat11 10/05/2020

    Lovely!
    I'm curious as to how many raspberry plants you have to get that quantity of jam. Thank you!🌿

  6. slepskip@comcast.net 10/05/2020

    Love your garden, Maxine. I am a few hours south of you down here in Washington, and you grow some of my very favorites, especially the hydrangeas and dahlias. Thanks for sharing.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage 

In this episode, we’re turning up the drama—garden drama, that is! We’re talking all about plants with big, bold foliage that steal the show and bring serious texture and presence…
Design
Green Heroes: Plants Making a Positive Environmental Impact

This article has the potential to be very short. That is because most garden plants provide some type of environmental benefit to their immediate surroundings—assuming they are chosen appropriately for…
Design
Fine Gardening Magazine Issue #223 Web Extras

All Magazine Extras!

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage 
How-To

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers