Hi GPODers!
The weather outside is starting to get frightful, but the garden photos we’re receiving continue to be so delightful! Today we have another new garden to explore, and we get to experience a range of peak-season highlights. These photos are from Deborah Beacham, and showcase a range of blooms and gorgeous plant combinations throughout the years in various parts of her gardens.
In spring, Deborah’s garden comes alive with a flush of fabulous foliage that glows and shines on a sunny day, and a bright pink rhododendron kicks off the color show on a vibrant note.
Alongside the rhododendron some lovely foxglove (Digitalis purpurea, Zone 4–8) adds a pinch of purple.
As the weather heats up the displays also get hotter. This border of bright yellow blooms sizzles with lots of black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zone 3–7), and some orange is added to the mix with the ‘Autumn Colors’ cultivar (R. hirta ‘Autumn Colors’, Zone 3–7) seen in the foreground.
When it comes to classic color combinations, why fix what isn’t broken? Pinks and reds always play nice with blue, and this combination of scarlet bee balms (Monarda didyma, Zone 4–9) and a light blue bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, Zone 6–9) is a superb example.
Color might be the first thing that catches your eye in Deborah’s garden, but she also plays with interesting texture and form combinations. Spires of obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, Zone 3–9) are a perfect contrast to the dark purple clusters of hydrangea blooms, and a variegated kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa, Zone 6–9) adds even more texture interest in the background.
Deborah’s plant combinations are marvelous, but even the most enticing designs are made a little more fun with the addition of garden art. This playful pooch appears to be enjoying the scent of these light pink roses.
With that being said, Deborah’s plantings are full of personality. Some gardeners opt to limit their plant or color palette, but Deborah put no limit on the interest and excitement in this bed. Allium, agastache, echinacea, geranium, and a splash of orange butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, Zone 3–9) are just some of the plants coming together for this wonderful display.
The diversity that Deborah has cultivated over the years is astounding, and this is reflected in the many exciting combos she has shared. Blue and yellow is one of my favorite color pairings, so I find this achillea with cornflower (Centaurea cyanus, annual) particularly dazzling.
For even more color and whimsy, Deborah turns to containers. A white garden cart becomes the perfect vessel for a mini fairy garden, planted with a marvelous mix of verbena and calibrachoa.
When a garden is filled with an amazing array of blooms such as we’ve seen here, the pollinators are sure to follow. This monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) gave Deborah its stamp of approval when it paid a visit to this peachy-pink zinnia.
Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos with us, Deborah! You have an impeccable eye for color, and the combinations you’ve created in your garden are enchanting.
It’s gearing up to be a long, cold winter here in North America and we’re going to need a lot more colorful garden photos to get us through. Next time you’re scrolling through your archive of garden photos from past growing seasons, consider sharing some of your favorites with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
Â
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
Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Telescopes from 4 to 7′. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.
XLUX Soil Moisture Meter
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
– Large and clear dial, including ten scales, plug and read
– Simply insert the moisture meter into soil and you’ll get the test result instantly
– Single probe, less hurts to the roots, doesn’t dig up too much soil after test
