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Monday, January 23, 2012

The Hill Garden Succession 2011

The Hill Garden is located in a raised area at the front left corner of our house. (See the map in "about the garden.") It overlooks the driveway and is a wonderful welcome home with its planting that lasts at least ten months of the year. The photos are group by date taken, which is listed on the left.

The succession in this area should be even grander this year with the addition of a classic combination: Crocus vernus 'Grand Maitre' and Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete'.


March 18th
I love this quiet combination at one side of the Hill: Crocus vernus 'Jeanne d'Arc' with hens and chicks and Ajuga reptans.


April 15th
Tulipa 'Ice Stick' with the silvery lambs ears (Stachys byzantine) just coming up.

May 5th
Just a few weeks later, Tulipa 'China Pink' is opening, as well as cobalt blue Muscari armenicum and purple Phlox subulata.
Overall view of the Hill Garden in May.

May 9th
Just days later with the opening of Tulipa 'Sorbet'.
Hens and chicks and Ajuga reptens
A long view across the front of Gilmore Gardens.

June 14th
Foliage carries the garden into summer, especially with the addition of broad red Canna 'King Humbert' foliage.
The beginning of Rosa 'The Fairy'.

June 26th
Shasta daisies bloom with the now blooming silvery lambs ears (Stachys byzantine).

July 1st
Full bloom of Rosa 'The Fairy'
Rosa 'The Fairy'
A few purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) just beginning with the Shasta daisies.


July 30th
Echinacea purpurea with Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire')
Canna 'King Humbert' adding bold shade to the planting throughout summer.

August 10th
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' bulking up its green florets in the middle of the reds.

September 1st
White-flowering garlic chive, Allium tuberosum, has its bloom.
Still a pretty combination: Coneflower, Russian sage and Sedum

September 14th
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' just beginning to bloom in their pop pink tone with the rest of the summer perennials.

October 5th
Rebloom of Rosa 'The Fairy' and deeper Sedum color.
Echinacea purpurea nearing their end. They were pruned at the beginning of July.

October 15th
Roses still going strong.
Seed heads of Echinacea purpurea

October 30th
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and purple barberry with their first frost.
Frost on coneflower heads

November 11
Deepening colors into mid-fall.

November 17th
Ornamental pear tree ablaze in orange, and rose leaves in yellow.
Allium tuberosum seeds heads were a paper yellow.

November 24th
A turn to the blues of winter.

December 1st
More frost on Sedum and barberry.
The last of Rosa 'The Fairy' for the year.

December 11th
The evergreen of Phlox subulata along with numerous seed heads carry the Hill garden until spring. Soon, we will start all over again.

For a succinct three-photo succession, see my post The Hill Garden - May, July & November 2011.

12 comments:

  1. I love how the extra pictures capture those "Oh, look! Didn't know THAT was growing there!" moments I get by walking slowly around the garden.

    Your family is lucky - there is always something to see!

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  2. My what a wonderful succession of plants....love the spring to summer combo and then the beauty of fall...makes me rethink a few areas for succession...

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  3. Loved seeing your garden through the year. You have done very well in planning for all seasons. And I love how you've planted so closely - it is lush and beautiful.

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  4. You are so smart to take this succession of photos. I wish I could be so organized---beautiful.

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  5. It's all so beautiful--in every season! How nice to have the timeline of the garden's life cycle!

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  6. Don't you just love the King Humbert canna! Add such bold texture among the lovely blooms in your garden :-) I have it, too, and divided it last year to add to my front garden for a little extra bling among the blooms :-)

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  7. BEAUTIFUL ! Love your garden story.
    Thank You !
    Time to start thinking of gardening ideas.
    I am thinking of buying some dahlias with dark foliage like dahlia Happy Single party.
    I saw it in the Oct. 2011 Garden Gate magazine on page 35 in the article Jewels of the Garden.
    Maybe you saw it too.
    from Jo-Ann in Eau Claire, WI

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  8. Thanks for the beautiful e-mails
    Sheila

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  9. Greetings Julie! These are magnificent scenes! May 5th the place is singing loudly, but then one of my favourites is November 11th; fantastic efforts at working and extending the seasons either side of your summer glory. Looking forward to your antics next year!

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  10. Beautiful! It's just beautiful and I dream of one day having a similar space. (Although, I have pesky deer to contend with. Bleh.)Thanks for the inspiration, Julie.

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    Replies
    1. Gina,
      Glad that you enjoyed a look from last year! Several of these plants are deer resistant, so they may work for you: Stachys byzantine (Lamb's ears), Pervoskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage),Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), Allium tuberosum ...anything with silvery or scented foliage is usually munch-free... Here is a great list for your area: http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm

      I am sure you will make something beautiful! Thanks for your comment.
      ~Julie

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