On Sunday Kim and I were fortunate to attend three wonderful gardens. The
Idaho Garden Bloggers met yet again. Included on the tour this time were the gardens of
Mary Ann and
Teresa. A bonus garden belonging to Elaine, a friend of Teresa's, was graciously included for our perusal.
The tour began at
Elaine's. What a lovely garden. I felt so inspired. If only our shade garden resembled this;
Elaine even managed to grow castor bean plants in the shade. I'd never even thought of that.
Her garden was full of pretty details and plants everywhere; from huge dahlias to giant tomatoes. Lovely, and obviously planted with love.
I love the combination of Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate and cosmos.
Next up was
Teresa's garden. As she explained, theirs is a garden in progress. But then, whose isn't, right? And as gardeners we're experts at listening to plans and envisioning the result in our mind's eye.
Teresa has only been working with her garden for two years. She and her husband have already made a lot of progress and the result is evident. They have built a generous sized deck behind the house, pulled out overwhelming shrubs and weed trees, planted flowers and herbs and created a firepit area.
Their garden includes a nice natural rise which they plan on incorporating into their plan with a rock wall and paths, more flower beds, and a swing under the trees for viewing stars at night. I'm really hoping to be able to visit her garden during some of the planned construction.
Teresa is growing quite a variety of vegetables and herbs including tomatoes, lavender, eggplant, many types of peppers, squash, and beans.
And like most gardeners Teresa has expanded her love of gardening beyond the back fence to the delight of passersby.
The weather being normally in the 90's for September in Idaho, Teresa offered us welcomed iced tea along with lovely cookies.
On to the final garden for the day;
Mary Ann's.
Mary Ann has been gardening at her current house for 12 years and has probably been gardening her entire life, I suspect. It shows.
Just look at this pool in her back garden. So lovely. And so simply made. She and her husband spend large amounts of time cooling off in this lovely space during our hot Idaho summers.
Isn't it gorgeous? And check out that view!
Mary Ann's garden includes two other water features. This one had a persicaria planted nearby so I was able to ask her opinion of the plant. I just purchased three for our moongarden. She was able to highly recommend the newer varieties as well-behaved.
Teresa and Mary Ann discuss the espaliered apple tree.
I would love to be able to list the types of plants Mary Ann has growing everywhere but I would hardly know where to begin there were so many. Obviously she loves miscanthus and who wouldn't with that great lighting?
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of her garden along with viewing the parts under construction. (She's adding a stone wall and a rock slab walkway.)
We were also offered some of her Fall Gold raspberries right off the bushes.
I wish I had taken some photos of the great sunset, but I was too busy enjoying the various wines, beer, hummus, cheese, and crostini that Mary Ann offered along with the wonderful conversation that ensues from a gathering of gardeners. You'll just have to use your imagination to envision the sunset available with this sort of view:
What a fantastic day! Thanks to everyone for opening their gardens and homes.
