We’re in British Columbia, Canada, today, looking back at the past year in Adeline Kong’s garden. Adeline shares her garden with the GPOD most every year, so if you want to see how it has evolved, you can look back at previous posts starting here: Another Year in a Wonderful Garden.
Another gardening year has sped by. I hope this finds you fellow gardeners well. I can’t say it was an uneventful year in light of all that has happened in the world.
I am a critical care nurse by profession, I work in the intensive care unit as well at the emergency department at our local community hospital. Since the onset of the pandemic, my garden has been an oasis to me—it grounds, nourishes, and refreshes. Just a few minutes (or hours) of mindless garden work lifts weight from my shoulders, and once again I’m able to tackle what’s ahead of me.
Not much change was made to the garden this year. The hardy perennials continued to thrive and spread. Annuals sprouted and bloomed from where the seeds had fallen from last summer. By midsummer, all the plants were elbowing their neighbors for space, giving the garden a look of delightful wild abundance.
Thick plantings make this garden a delight. White panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3–8) in the foreground are backed by masses of perennials. The purple flowers of tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis, Zones 7–11 or as an annual) are a wonderful feature in a garden like this, as they are so airy you can see through them to the plants behind, which adds a cloud of purple to the rest of the planting.
Purple butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii, Zones 5–9) on the left, red nicotiana (Nicotiana alata, annual) on the right, and enticing views of the rest of the garden beyond. Adeline lets annuals like the nicotiana self-sow. Many annuals will come back from seed year after year, but you have to make good conditions for the seeds to germinate by avoiding thick mulch until the seedlings are up and growing.
Red bee balm (Monarda didyma, Zones 4–9) mingles with white double blooms that look to be double white yarrow (Achillea ptarmica ‘The Pearl’, Zones 3–9).
Go ahead—take a seat in that chair and feel the stress melt away.
Packing a garden full of many plants not only creates a lush, romantic effect; it also can make the garden easier to maintain, as there is literally nowhere for weeds to grow.
Once again, the airy stems of tall verbena cast a purple cloud over the garden.
I’m not sure which I want to do more: sit in that chair and relax, or wander down the wide, grassy paths to see what’s around the next corner.
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Comments
So beautiful! Oh British Columbia! What a perfect climate for gardens! Thank you for your work as a critical care nurse, and I am thankful that you have this perfect respite to come home to. Stay well and healthy.
Wow! How gorgeous!
Unbelievable! Just so very, very lovely!
To those who may be interested, type Adeline's name in the search bar & you will find quite a few more of her submissions.
Lovely cottage garden! The repetition & closely planted flowers create such a beautiful garden. Thank you for sharing.
Really gorgeous! Congratulations. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Looks like a wonderful habitat for lots of friends both human and otherwise. :) 🐞🕸🕷🦋🐌🐛🐝
Absolutely lovely! You captured the exact look that I would like to see out my windows. Can you come help me plant? LOL! Seriously, though, thank you for everything you are doing--in your gardens and in the hospital. Blessings to you....
What a contrast between your work and your beautifully created space. I'm seeing that tall verbena everywhere all of a sudden, so I am looking forward to adding it come spring. I don't think our gratitude toward first responders will ever be enough.
I am green, purple, pink and orange with envy!!! You have created the gardens I have wanted but never seem to attain. I can only imagine the buzzing of the bees and whirring of the hummingbirds all summer long. Must have been such hard work and dedication to achieve such beauty! Just amazing, I say!!!
Truly a lush and beautiful garden. So glad you shared it.
I am so glad that you have a chance to take a load off and rest once in a while. It’s a lovely oasis😊❤️😊
Thank you for risking your life every day as you go to work, and for creating beauty there as you do in your own garden. I am sure you bring an aura of peace and beauty with you as you care for your seriously ill patients. Thank you for taking the time to encourage us with your garden photos.
You have some AMAZING perennial beds!!!!
Adeline - the photo that's third from the end is my favorite.
I admire your skills and dedication to both nursing and gardening.
Thank you for posting here.
Adeline, this is Absolutely Gorgeous … as usual. Your yard never ceases to amaze me. I have been amazed, inspired, motivated and in love with your yard for years. Of all the gardens that I have fallen in love with, yours comes closest to my dream yard. Thank you for sharing your paradise. Thank you for keeping me inspired. Thank you for the many services that you continuously provide. May you be as Blessed as you have been a blessing to me. :-) More flowers to you.
What beautiful colors! Your garden knew you would need that beauty this season. I can imagine you catching your breath while sitting in the green or red chair and soaking in the beauty around you.
Be well!
I would never leave that garden! There are no words for it. Just lovely! And we thank you for your service. It has to be hard. Thanks again.
Beautiful! This is my favorite type of garden - flowers everywhere framed by a crisp, green lawn. Perfect!
So lovely and inspiring! Sowing seeds of compassion and nurturing others through your profession and with your green thumb. Thank you!
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