Garden Photo of the Day

Revisiting Bill’s Garden

The results of 25 years of gardening

view of garden from deck

Today we’re visiting with Bill Ziebarth.

I live in Duluth, Minnesota. You used my photos in the GPOD two years ago (A Garden Full of Art and Flowers). I now have been gardening at this home for 25 years. I am 75 years old and have expanded my gardens in four areas for next year. I am submitting photos from spring to fall.

garden bed with lots of fern and a large shrub with bright pink flowersBeautiful azaleas (Rhododendron hybrid, hardiness varies by cultivar) bloom in the backyard.

view of garden from deckThe view from the deck includes roses blooming in pots and, to the left, a big weigela (Weigela florida, Zones 5–9).

garden gazebo surrounded by colorful potted plantsI have an annual garden tour for my friends. I call it a Garden Party. I have cookies, lemonade, and water. I also have a guitarist/singer performing in my gazebo. My gazebo photo says “100 year celebration.” That signifies my 75 years of age and 25 years of gardening.

potted red and pink flowers on an antique trashcanMy 1906 trash can is topped with New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).

close up of a white lily‘Eyeliner’ lily (Lilium ‘Eyeliner’, Zones 5–8) is a hybrid of an Asiatic lily and an Easter lily, which give it great vigor and fragrance.

close up of a bumblebee on purple flowersA bumblebee stops by the garden for a meal.

red flowers growing in a window boxRed geraniums (Pelargonium hybrids, Zones 9–11 or as annuals) and black sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) grow from my garden shed window box.

vines growing over a metal fence behind yellow flowersGrapevines (Vitis sp.), Wisteria, brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia triloba, Zones 4–8), and gloriosa daisies (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–7) greet visitors at my front gate and fence.

close up of white and pink hydrangeaPinky winky hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Dvppinky’, Zones 3–8)

yellow foliage growing over a mossy rockThis last photo shows the yellow leaves of a Forsythia in the fall against the green moss on a rock by my fence, which is sculptured to go over the curve of the stone.

 

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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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 11/30/2022

    Bill, your garden is absolutely stunning.

    1. billziebar 11/30/2022

      Thank you.

  2. wittyone 11/30/2022

    Oh, my favorite-------- the 1906 trash can as plant stand! How do you know the date? As my mother always said "It's good to be useful as well as ornamental".

    The pinky-winky is a standout. I have a one planted 2 springs ago and am anticipating great things this coming spring/summer.

    1. billziebar 11/30/2022

      The trash can has the company & the date stamped on the lid. This is a very substantial trash can. The rings are 1/4 inch steel & are riveted. Not like todays garbage can. That’s why I give it a dignified name, trash can.

      1. billziebar 12/01/2022

        Witt Cornice Company.

    2. billziebar 12/01/2022

      Witt Cornice Company.

  3. btucker9675 11/30/2022

    Marvelous!!! I'm taking the photo of your pinky winky out to encourage mine for next season. Everything about your garden is perfection.

    1. billziebar 11/30/2022

      Thank you.

  4. rosys_villa 11/30/2022

    Duluth huh? So many beautiful blooms I only thought possible in warmer climates. Thank you for sharing such glorious images.

    1. billziebar 12/01/2022

      Your welcome!!

  5. User avater
    simplesue 12/01/2022

    I just love the grapevine on the iron fence with the Brown Eyed Susans and the way your fence was sculpted to work with that great rock!
    Your gazebo is super nice and sounds like a fun party- you've done such a nice job on your garden!

    1. billziebar 12/01/2022

      Thank you,

  6. colleenak 12/01/2022

    Thanks, Bill, for sharing your beautiful garden! In the photo of your view from the deck, I'm admiring the paver path! Did you design it?
    Also, love your Garden Party idea! Although we've lived in this house for 32 years, it didn't really have a garden (just a "developer-landscaped property") until 2013 when I worked with a wonderful landscape/garden designer. So next summer I can celebrate 80 years - age + gardening!
    Your solution for fencing over rock = garden art! The developer had planted an ornamental cherry (don't get me started!) too close to the wooden fence. By 2010 when we needed to replace the failing fence, the fencer (ha ha!) had to cut a half-moon out the bottom of the fence to clear the huge root of the cherry. In 2013, that tree was removed, but I have an evergreen clumping bamboo in that spot so it nicely hides the gap!

    1. billziebar 12/02/2022

      Thank you for your comments. The paver sidewalk is actually our original sidewalk with a stamped overlay. It was done in 2012 & has held up pretty well. I think it will take me to the end. Our original sidewalk was repaired before the installation of the overlay.
      I started the garden party when so many friends asked to see my gardens. It now has become the event that I look forward to each year. It gives me so much joy & pleasure. My gardens were never designed. They just evolved. I make changes every year. Next spring I will complete my “cobalt blue” garden. Bottle trees, hand blown glass, & all blue flowers. Thank you for listening to me.

  7. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 12/05/2022

    Fun celebrations, and I'm sure everyone appreciates the chance to spend time in your lovely garden. Thanks for sharing!

    1. billziebar 12/06/2022

      Your welcome!!

  8. irpriver 09/19/2023

    Marvelous!!! Your pinky winky shot will serve as inspiration for my slope next year. Your garden is beautiful in every way.

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