Garden Photo of the Day

Paths and Gateways

Highlights of a former garden

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Today we’re visiting a garden with Sharon Weiser of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Earlier this year you published photos of my current garden. These are photos of my previous garden that show some of the many pathways/gateways through the garden.

Above is a moon gate I commissioned from an Amish man in a community nearby. I enjoy the frame created by the gate. I particularly love the Japanese maple ‘Crimson Queen’ (Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’, Zones 6–8) and Colorado blue spruce ‘Fat Albert’ (Picea pungens ‘Fat Albert’, Zone 3–9).

This picture shows a series of columns I had the same Amish man build for me that culminate in a small arbor housing the overseer of the garden, “Libby.” The arbor is covered in climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris, Zones 4–8). To make the garden appear larger than it is, I placed each set of columns closer to each other, giving the illusion of more depth. The columns are covered with a variety of climbing roses and clematis. My favorites are Clematis viticella ‘Etoile Violette’, ‘Polish Spirit’, and ‘Venosa Violacea’.

This arbor is through the side shade garden. This path winds through the garden, creating mystery beyond.

This is a reflecting pool that I built. It is only 2 feet deep but reflects the ‘New Dawn’ climbing rose and Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Flake’ (oakleaf hydrangea, Zones 5–9) close by.

This is the carriage house that I converted into a “she shed.” The doorway was not there, but I found an old door and had the entrance cut into the side of the carriage house. This more formal entrance to the garden is outlined in boxwood ‘Green Velvet’ (Buxus ‘Green Velvet’, Zones 5–8) that I have found does best in my Zone 5 garden. Rosa ‘Carefree Delight’ is seen in the bottom left corner.

A longer view of the shade garden. It is full of my favorite hostas, including ‘Liberty’, ‘June’, and ‘Spilt Milk’.

Above is the bridge over another small water garden and the entrance to the compost/potting area. Tall fragrant lilies and grasses mark this part of the garden.

Another view of the shade garden.

 

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Comments

  1. user-7017435 02/14/2019

    Whoever bought your home with these gardens got a masterpiece. I don't believe I've seen anything like this in a private garden anywhere. Thank you for this post & good luck,Joe

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thank you Joe, I miss that garden but life gives us new adventures.

  2. User avater
    meander_michaele 02/14/2019

    Whew, this is one seriously super gorgeous garden to have moved on from... although, after revisiting your pictures from Sept., I can see that you didn't leave your creativity behind. You are not only a gardener with great visions, you are obviously a person who makes your dreams come true. Thank you for sharing your walk down memory lane with us , Sharon.

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thank you. I really miss the old garden. Reviewing these pictures has given me some ideas for the new space.

  3. NWAgardener 02/14/2019

    Sharon - your gardens are simply spectacular with all the beautiful healthy plants and garden decor! I got so many ideas and inspirations from them! Like you, I recently moved from a lovely established garden to a "blank slate" so I am grateful for all the "seeds of inspiration" that the photos of your gardens have provided. Susan

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Susan, It is hard to move from an established garden. I am glad that my move can be inspiring to you.

  4. User avater
    treasuresmom 02/14/2019

    Just gorgeous!

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thank you!

  5. User avater
    simplesue 02/14/2019

    I think our old "gone-gardens" never die, they live on in our memories. I can still see every inch of my former garden as it once was, before I had to leave it behind. I really enjoyed your photos, love your style and choices of plants and the architectural garden elements you chose.
    I also looked at your current garden via the link above, also beautiful.
    Not to be critical but I feel I must mention that you surely love birds in your garden, and may not realize mirrors outside look lovely but can very often cause many a bird to become confused and fly into them causing injury or death.

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thank you for the input. I have not seen the birds using the mirrors but I did have a cardinal enjoying his image in a stainless steel ball I had in the garden.

  6. btucker9675 02/14/2019

    Splendiferous!!! I don't know how you could stand to leave such a beautiful garden and sure hope that the new owners honor and take care of this beauty.

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      It was hard to leave. I don't know that the new owners have the gardening 'bug' as much as I do.

  7. [email protected] 02/14/2019

    Love every view! I have been wanting to paint some trim on my shed, and I have been looking for the right shade of blue- and your shed has it! Any chance you remember the shade/ brand?
    Thanks so much for sharing.

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      I am sorry I don't remember the color but I purchased the paint at Sherwin Williams.

  8. mjensen 02/14/2019

    I love this garden,beautiful

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thanks so much!

  9. cheryl_c 02/14/2019

    What a gorgeous garden - love the gates, the paths, the columns, the plant choices. Thanks so much for sharing these!

    1. SharonWeiser 02/14/2019

      Thank you!

  10. DragonflyLadyFriend 02/14/2019

    This is just a beautiful and inspiring garden. I have not planted Hosta before because of snails, but I think it might be worth a try after seeing these, and your Hybiscus are stunning. Thank you for the inspiration! Nanci

  11. Musette1 02/14/2019

    Sharon - before I tell you how absolutely gorgeous your garden is (and I hope it remains thus) may I just say THANK YOU for giving the growing zones for your highlighted plants~ so very much appreciated!

    Now. Having said that......WOW!!!!! your design skills are stunning and only matched by your gardening prowess! Am eager to see what you do with your new space!

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