Garden Photo of the Day

The Secret Garden

Classic beauty complements a nearly 300-year-old home

By GPOD Contributor
topiary plants in terra cotta plants on a table

Jolene Wireback sent in today’s photos, which are of her mother’s beautiful garden in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

My beautiful mother has done it again and has created the most whimsical retreat in her backyard. Her name is Nunzia Tina, and she is a true artist with her potted plants and topiary design. Her space is whimsical and otherworldly.

topiary plants in terra cotta plants on a table
The elegant topiaries in the front look to be lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’, Zones 7–9). Attention to detail makes these so magical; the aged terra-cotta pots are beautiful, and topping each one with moss finishes them off perfectly.

terra cotta pot with ivy growing around an arched willow branch
A twisted willow branch makes for a form over which to grow ivy (Hedera helix, Zones 5–9).

various plants in planters on a patio
More potted plants grow over arches of willow branches.

vine with pink flowers growing up a trellis
A spire of pink Mandevilla (Zones 9–11) climbs up bamboo supports. Remember that there are climbing and nonclimbing forms of Mandevilla, so choose the right variety for what you want it to do.

close up of white panicle hydrangea flowers
Beautiful flower heads of Hydrangea paniculata (Zones 4–8)

purple and white flowers in a vase that is a bust of a woman
Cut flowers from the hydrangea join a few sprigs of verbena (Verbena hybrid, Zones 9–11 or as an annual) in a beautifully unusual vase.

planters with different kinds of foliage plants
It doesn’t take bright colors and flowers to make a beautiful garden. Simple green plants in a variety of textures give an elegant effect.

 

It you want to see more of this magical garden, check out last time it was featured on the GPOD: A Garden Around a 280-Year-Old Home

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    simplesue 08/29/2022

    Oh so pretty! I love the environment she created with all the interesting potted plants, the Hydrangeas arranged in the head planter- so clever!
    And the pretty garden with the climbing plants so pretty, and wow the hanging plants with that amazing log cabin home- just a gorgeous world she created around her...that is my goal also...and I'm inspired by this post!

  2. btucker9675 08/29/2022

    So beautiful and charming! She definitely has the eye and soul of an artist..

  3. sheila_schultz 08/29/2022

    Your Mother is an artist with her use of wooden spaces covered with carefully curated pots of most thoughtful design. I love each and every detail, simply beautiful.

  4. blondie3 08/29/2022

    I Love your mom’s whimsy garden, what an artist eye she has….would love to see more!

  5. user-7392754 08/29/2022

    Oh I love your mom’s garden!!! Very inspiring!!! I’d love to create a space as lovely as hers!!!

  6. zusubee 08/30/2022

    She has a lot of space.

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