Hi GPODers!

So far, the theme of this week’s submissions is garden progress and evolution, which is really inspiring me to keep on top of my chores as we trudge though the heat and humidity of August here in Connecticut! Yesterday we saw incredible garden rooms created in four short years in Rhode Island (if you missed it, check it out here), and today we’re heading to the opposite coast to get an update on a garden we first saw a couple years ago (Lizzi’s Walla Walla Garden). Lizzi has been hard at work, and the progress in her garden is incredible:

Hi, You featured my Walla Walla, Washington back yard 2 years ago in GPOD. The photos were from early June and the plantings were rather new. This group of photos was taken this week, late July and show how my beds have filled in. Some of my plants have filled in enough to divide and stitch the scene together better- specifically lamb’s ear ‘Helen Von Stein’ (Stachys byzantina ‘Helen Von Stein’, Zones 4–9) and variegated sweet iris (Iris pallida ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–9). I’ve also added more geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Zones 5–8). My favorite plant this summer is an annual I grew from seed: purple Gomphrena globosa. The bright purple pompoms make me and the bees happy. But by far my favorite addition to the garden isn’t a plant—it’s my rusty gear sculptures. There was a GPOD a while back that featured a garden with rusty gears and I saved it for inspiration (check out that post here: Repurposed Garden Decor). Last year I scored a number of boxes of old gears from a guy cleaning out his garage. I used rebar to stack them securely and elevated some of them off the ground with old terracotta sewer pipe sections. I have seven of these stacks scattered throughout the yard now.

A garden bed with bright pops of color and lots of funky, spiky foliage texture that includes: Liatris, dwarf globe blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’, Zones 2–8), fountain grass ‘Burgundy Bunny’ (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Burgundy Bunny’, Zones 5–9), veronica ‘Purpleicious’ (Veronica ‘Purpleicious’, Zones 4–8), echinacea ‘Magnus’ (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’, Zones 3–8)

More fabulous foliage and some sensational seed heads, including: Hebe ‘Quicksilver’ (Hebe pimeleoides ‘Quicksilver’, Zones 7–10), false cypress ‘Sungold’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera ‘Sungold’, Zones 4–8), allium ‘Millenium’ (Allium ‘Millenium’, Zones 4–8), and geranium ‘Roxanne’

One of the incredible pieces of rusty garden art that Lizzi created goes beautifully with the glowing foliage of Japanese forest grass ‘All Gold’ (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 4–9) and creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia, Zones 4–8)

Plenty of fabulous foliage, but there is clearly no shortage of flowers on display, too. Along with the coneflowers and geranium we saw before, Lizzi has Gomphrena globosa (annual), Tropicanna® canna (Canna indica ‘Phasion’, Zones 7–11), and hydrangea Strawberry Sundae® (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Strawberry Sundae’, Zones 4–8)

The above bed from another view shows off another funky garden sculpture and a beautiful bunch of lavender ‘Martha Roderick’ (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Martha Roderick’, Zones 5–10).

A rock garden in the shade that features many colorful foliage plants, including: Japanese forest grass, Northern Exposure™ Purple heuchera (Heuchera x ‘TNHEUNEP’, Zones 3–9), ghost fern (Athyrium ‘Ghost’, Zones 4–9), Edgeworthia chrysantha (Zones 7–10), hostas, and geranium.

Lizzi’s garden planning is really evident in this bed. Lots of different textures and colors on display here, but the way they are paired and placed creates a cohesive look rather than chaotic. Some stand outs include: Lamb’s ear, sweet variegated iris, sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’, Zones 4–11) and in the way back castor bean ‘Carmencita’ (Ricinus communis ‘Carmencita’, Zones 8–12 or as an annual).

And a fabulous plant pairing to round us out of purple coneflower and drumstick allium (Allium sphaerocephalon, Zones 4–8).

Thank you for sharing this fantastic update, Lizzi! Incredible to see how much has changed and grown in the past two years, and hope you continue to update us on your garden’s evolution!

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.

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

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

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

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

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes

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

Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

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

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon