Today we’re visiting with Rebecca Downie.
This is my second submission to the GPOD. I had garden photos from our old house featured in “The Element of Surprise” several years ago. We’ve now been established in a new home in Southington, Connecticut, for almost seven years. Not a single plant existed when we moved in, as this was a new neighborhood, and it has been slow but fun to establish landscaping and gardens! Always a work in progress, of course.
These are the ‘Pinky Winky’ hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’, Zones 3–8) near my front steps, with a pot of zinnias (Zinnia elegans, annual) and geranium (Pelargonium hybrid, annual) in front.
This is my favorite garden photo, with globe thistle (Echinops ritro, Zones 3–8) just coming out, a daisy that my aunts gave me, and yarrow (Achillea hybrid, Zones 3–9) behind it.
This hyssop (Agastache, Zones 5–9) variety is ‘Sunset’ and is later flowering but very long lasting. I have different varieties of hyssop, and they are such hummingbird attractors that I see hummingbirds every time I look out the window, dozens of times a day, in the summer.
I love clean, defined garden edges because it gives some order to the gardens when the plants get messy looking between seasons. I planned this garden to address the slope difference between two lawn areas.
Simple combinations that the bees and butterflies love—‘Tiny Tuff Stuff’ hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata ‘Tiny Tuff Stuff’, Zones 5–9), echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–9), daisies, butterfly bush.
More of the same!
On one particularly good year, I saw 22 monarch butterflies at once on the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii, Zones 5–9). It varies so much year to year.
I like to have most of my annuals in planters for a cheerful look when perennials are between blooms.
Around the side and front, I use mostly white roses and these beautiful white peonies, and because the peonies don’t flower long and they’re so bountiful, they’re fun to make arrangements with to gift.
A mama bear and cub in our woods.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
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!
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