S first frost — a short introduction to this piece.
S first frost: Quick Notes
Hi GPODers!
Today we have a new garden introduction, right as it begins packing it in for the season. Judy Hessert gardens in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana and has finally had time to dedicate to her own landscape after running a nursery for decades. Her garden expertise has allowed her to craft a fantastic plant palette, which keeps on performing up to the first frost that covers her still-vibrant garden in shimmering ice.
I garden in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. I owned a nursery for 30 years; I had access to many plants, but no time to garden. Now I’m retired and am enjoying gardening for myself. My yard is about an acre and a half that had been a horse pasture. My focus has been on planting for birds and pollinators, and planting big bands of color. I have a lot of space! Most annuals and perennials I start from seed. When I moved here four years ago, I hung up a bird feeder and waited a month for any birds to show up. Now there’s a diverse population of both migrant and resident birds. I took photos this morning of the first frost—the beginning of the end of the gardening season.
‘Benary’s Giant Purple’ zinnias (Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Purple’, annual) are like mini fireworks in the garden, even more so when their petals are lined with ice.
A wider view of those purple zinnias, each flower a little explosion of color
Judy’s ‘Indian Summer’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’, Zones 3–7) was absolutely covered in flowers when this frost hit the garden.
‘Indian Summer’ black-eyed Susan in the foreground, Korean spiraea (Spiraea fritschiana, Zones 3–8) on the left, Klehm’s Improved Bechtel flowering crabapple (Malus ioensis ‘Klehm’s Improved Bechtel’, Zones 4–8) with the tree guard, and the Sapphire Mountains in the background
‘Karl Foerster’ grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 5–9) with ‘Burning Hearts’ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra ‘Burning Hearts’, Zones 3–9), and the tree is ‘Brandywine’ crabapple (Malus ‘Branzam’, Zones 4–8).
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–9)—it’s actually a cross of the straight species and ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ (Echinacea purpurea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, Zones 4–9).
Fall pumpkins—Casper, Sanchez, Black Futsu, Large Marge, and Marina di’Chioggia
Benary’s Giant Salmon Rose zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Salmon Rose’, annual) as the morning sun starts to melt the frost away
Finally, a bold combination of ‘Rocket’ snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus ‘Rocket’, annual) and ‘Burning Hearts’ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra ‘Burning Hearts’, Zones 3–9): They defrost in the sun while still looking at their peak.
Thank you so much for this tour through your garden, Judy! The shimmer of frost on your flowers adds another layer of beauty, but I hope we also get a chance to see your designs during the peak of summer sun.
Has your garden experienced its first frost yet? As the growing season comes to an end for many northern gardeners, it’s time to reflect on this year’s highlights and lowlights. Be sure to send in your garden recap to the blog, as we can all use some vibrant garden moments when the cold months settle in. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
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
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12-Inch To 20-Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
With adjustable tine spacing: suitable for raking coarse and fine material. Flexible, zinc-plated spring-steel prongs. Working width adjustable from 12-20 inches. Sold as head only, handle sold separately.
DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
– 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
– 1-1/8-inch stroke length
– Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
– DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece
S first frost appears here to highlight key ideas for readers.
