Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Arbor Garden

A Sweet Escape

I have some updated pictures of the Arbor Garden, which looks spectacular year-round starting in the spring with barrenwort, veronica, lamium and fritillaria.  In late spring the pea bush begins to bloom as well as the columbine.  The back of the garden is encircled by roses of sharon for summer beauty.  Two very large 'Blue Angel' hostas fill each corner.

As you enter through the arched arbor on stepping stones you are greeted by a stone bench surrounded by Japanese painted ferns - a pleasant respite from the hot summer sun.  The arbor swathed with clematis in early summer invites a promising fragrant journey.  This is a garden of peace and tranquility.  I also like to refer to this garden as a woodland garden since it is defined by filtered shade from tall Norway Spruce trees.

The enchanting fairy-like toadstools bring magic into the garden, as they tinkle in the breeze.

So please join me for a stroll through the garden …


These Columbine 'Origami' (Aquilegia) pink and white blooms face upward to show off their beauty and are irresistible to butterflies.


The Black Pea (Lathyrus niger) wildflower bears in early summer flowered stems which are purple then fade to blue.


Gold Cone Junipers (Juniperus communis) meet you at the entrance of the cedar arbor.  These slow growing conifers bear awl-shaped new growth which emerges bright gold in the spring.  The color gradually fades to a bluish-green in winter.


Clematis 'Elsa Spath' bears a profusion of single purple-blue flowers with white filaments and red anthers.  I believe this heirloom clematis was cultivated in Germany in 1891.


A large-flowered variety of clematis 'Dr. Ruppel' has pale orchid purple, ruffled petals with a wide carmine central bar and golden stamens.


Barrenwort, also known as (Epimedium) edges the path to the garden gate.  The clusters of small, star shaped flowers are pink in the early spring.


Simple, four-petaled Creeping Speedwell 'Big Blue' (Veronica repens) flowers are bright true blue with white centers.  They are showy in late May and June.  During the fall, the deep green foliage has copper-bronze highlights.


Deadnettle 'Purple Dragon' (Lamium maculatum) has snapdragon-like purple flowers.  The variegated silver-white foliage with dark green edges radiates color to create a glowing effect - especially in the evening.


A stunning Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) bears lush, finely-cut foliage of rich green with fronds marked with a central stem of bright crimson and silver markings.  This fern is a miniature treasure for the garden.


Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) is a fun plant with nodding, bell-shaped checkered flowers.  They pop up in late spring just before the lily-of-the-valley blooms.


Hosta 'Blue Angel' has gigantic, heart-shaped leaves with a blue-green hue.  Leaf petioles stand upright holding the leaves horizontally, then cascade downward.


Thank you for strolling through my garden with me.  I enjoyed the slight breeze and a chance to chat with you.  I am linking with the following ladies this week:

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms.Green Thumb Jean
Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
This Week In My Garden @ The Little Round Table
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage

22 comments:

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow donna, your garden looks fabulous, your plants are doing well.
my husband and I love the fern, it's gorgeous.
We love gardening to.

greetings karin

Sunray Gardens said...

Stunning gardens Donna. What a treat to be able to stroll through that everyday. Everything is really beautiful!!!
Cher Sunray Gardens
Goldenray Yorkies

Karen said...

Oh Donna, you have an absolutely beautiful garden. I certainly enjoyed the stroll through it while sipping my coffee. I'm jealous!!

KER said...

gorgeous...i love how colorful and inviting it is...truly a work of gardening art

Shirley @ The Gardening LIfe said...

I love this little garden. It looks so orderly and absolutely lovely.

Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Donna
Your gardens are looking lovely, I like the fairy garden. I am sitting on the deck with a cup of mint tea as I stroll along with you.
Judith

Rizzi said...

HI DONNA,
YOUR GARDEN IS ENCHANTING, AND BEAUTIFUL. I THINK I DID SEE A FEW FAIRIES DANCING BY. IT MUST BE SO LOVELY TO JUST SIT OUT THERE IN ALL ITS BEAUTY.
HAVE A LOVELY WEEK. RIZZI

Chris said...

Thank you for the walk thru the garden! It was beautiful!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Kim said...

You have a very beautiful garden, very nicely done!

Rettabug said...

Positively Magical, Donna! I love the little bench, tucked away & all the lovely colors surrounding it. Beautifully planned & executed. BRAVO!

gale said...

Beautiful!! I just love your garden pics. They give me ideas for my own yard.

Carrie Sampsel said...

Your garden truely is beautiful. I just love the different flowers. Do you feed your flowers and if so what do you use? I have a couple of different kinds, but can't seem to find the right one.

Stamping for Sanity! said...

Donna,
Your gardens are absolutely gorgeous! They look so tranquil and peaceful. You are one talented lady.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Very gorgeous garden area! i love all the unique plants you brought into this area where your arbor is! Thanks so much for sharing over here at Cottage Flora Thursday's! Hugs to you...xoox, tracie

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Dear Donna,
Your gardens are beautiful! I enjoyed visiting your wonderful blog. So enchanted! Thank you for stopping by and sweet comments. Have a lovely weekend!
Blessings,
~*~Wendy~*~

Olive said...

Donna, love that arbor and all your plants, especially the hosta's. olive

Anonymous said...

Donna what a pretty arbour garden. I too have Elsa Spath clematis and love it... so many large blooms. Your mushroom accents are so cute. Are they glass? So unique...Rosemary

Diana LaMarre said...

I really enjoyed my stroll through your garden. Everything is so neat and tidy. I have not seen Creeping Speedwell 'Big Blue'before--great color. I also love the silver scheen of your Japanese Painted Fern.

Thanks for taking me on the stroll!

Jami @ An Oregon Cottage said...

This is so wonderful- I love the themed garden idea! Thanks so much for sharing this!

Jami @ An Oregon Cottage

Corner Gardener Sue said...

What a lovely garden! I enjoyed seeing plants from different seasons.

Polished Moxie said...

Thank you for the wonderful tour. Your plantings are beautiful. I have many of the same plants in my gardens with the exception of the snake's head. I'm not familiar with that one, but it looks like a fun plant.

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