We visited Yvonne’s new Virginia garden (Yvonne’s New Garden in Virginia) on the GPOD before, and today she’s sharing more.
I’m sending two sets of pictures—one for the woodland walk and the second for the Japanese-inspired garden. I’m especially proud of these sections, as I designed and planted them myself (with the exception of the trees and largest shrubs). The “woodland” when we moved in five years ago consisted of several black walnut trees, two native black cherries, two native persimmons, tons of invasive bamboo, poison ivy, bramble, weeds, and wild onions. We cleared out most of the nontree scrub and planted seven new trees.
In this “before” picture, you can see the landscape tarp we put down for 18 months afterward to try and suppress the wild onions. We then planted more understory trees, and over the next three years planted several shrubs and perennials. I’ve put in quite a few ground covers to outgrow the weeds and remaining wild onions.
Stone and wood slice walkways provide an easy path through the woodland. Evergreen conifers and shrubs provide structure and boundary hedging.
I focus on interesting color and variegation in foliage.
Sliced logs make a beautiful pathway though the woods.
Until the shade trees mature, it continues to be sunny in some parts of the woodland, allowing plants more typically associated with full-sun locations to thrive.
The woodland garden is beginning to fill in and look beautiful.
A “before” picture of the Japanese-inspired garden
Many of the plants in the Japanese-inspired garden are from Asia, as is, of course, this Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9).
A small waterfall winds through the black walnut trees.
Iris cristata (Zones 3–9), a native species, grows with variegated Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9).
If you want to see more from Yvonne’s beautiful garden, check out her instagram: @rosemama20
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Comments
Oh, my, how very lovely!
Thank you! It’s been fun.
Wow! It’s apparent you are thoroughly enjoying developing these beautiful gardens! Lovely forms, textures and bold color throughout.
Thank you.
This is so beautiful! I love your pretty pathways into the woods! I think woodlands are my favorite landscaping element!
Thank you. I love introducing different types of pathways into the landscape.
Wow- I love all the layers and added hard-scraping. It is so very well planned and executed. I just love it- you really had a vision!
Thank you. Planning has been an evolution for me..starting with the vision first, as opposed to planting one of everything:)
Just beautiful! Great job. Now sit back and enjoy it!
Thanks and will try!
Your garden is fabulous, it's an amazing accomplishment!!! I wish everyone would turn their land into a garden like you have- the world would be so much prettier to live in!
I would so enjoy walking through all these paths and themes you've created in your garden- WOW!
Thanks so much.
I am in awe of the beauty you have created on your property. The different textures of the pathways are sheer perfection. I just want to touch the circles of the wood slice path, it is mesmerizing and calls out to be followed. Each plant belongs to its space. Bravo! Definitely a job well done.
Thanks so much Sheila. Hard to believe it’s been so many years since we met up at the Pacific Northwest Garden show in Seattle with Cherry, Jeanne, Michelle and others. Hope you and your daughter are well. Yvonne
That was a fabulous get together, wasn't it? I smile every time I think about all the laughs and friendship we shared. Enjoy the beautiful fruits of your labor, my gardening friend. Your gardens truly are splendid.
You've created a beautiful garden. Thank you for sharing. As a Pacific NW native, I especially love both the Japanese Maples and the woodland garden. We get lots of shade and rain here for woodland gardens to thrive. Congratulations on your accomplishments! Happy gardening ahead!
Thank you so much. You have perfect gardening weather in the Pacific NW for sure.
A serene and peaceful beauty. You should be proud and pleased with your accomplishment.
Thank you.
Stunning... every part. That waterfall is perfection! You have an artist's eye.
Thank you for all the kind comments. I really appreciate them. I do spend a lot of time thinking about structure in the garden and plant combinations that pop. I’ve also moved a ton of stuff because they didn’t work where originally planted. So it’s an ongoing work in progress.
What an amazing transformation! The plantings are beautiful and all seem to contribute to a peacefulness. Thank-you for sharing.
Thank you!
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