Today we’re visiting with Lisa Chapman.
Hi from Waxhaw, North Carolina (Zone 8a/7b). Thank you for featuring me in the GPOD this past November. It was absolutely the best early Christmas present. (See Lisa’s North Carolina Garden.)
I’m sharing a few updated pictures of some new things growing in the garden. I’ve done a lot of work in my rock garden this season, where I’ve focused on incorporating a number of drought-tolerant plants for my mostly full-sun garden.
My dog, affectionately nicknamed Canis Lupus Hortulus, is always ready to help in the garden. Here she is observing a bumblebee about the irises (Iris ensata ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–9) on our pool deck.
In this garden the irises mix with ‘Wildberry’ heuchera (Heuchera ‘Wildberry’, Zones 5–9), dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima, Zones 7–10), lantana (Lantana camara, Zones 8–11 or as an annual), and gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa, Zones 9–11 or as an annual).
Here, plants are enjoying a rain shower on the back patio. Pictured in the forefront are Caladium (Zones 9–11 or as a tender bulb), blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum, Zones 8–12), and the leaves of a potted red cabbage (Brassica oleracea, annual) arrangement. In the back, a potager box of kale (Brassica oleracea, annual), chives (Allium schoenoprasum, Zones 3–9), vinca (Catharanthus roseus, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), Dichondra (Zones 7–9 or as an annual), Petunia (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), Japanese eggplant (Solanum melongena, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyeriana, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), dill (Anethum graveolens, annual), and a host of other plants tucked within. Pots of fig (Ficus carica, Zones 7–10), pomegranate (Punica granatum, Zones 7–10), and olive trees (Olea europaea, Zones 8–10) line the patio adjacent to the box.
In my rock garden, drought-tolerant Artemisia (‘Powis Castle’ and ‘Silver Brocade’, Zones 4–9) contrast with ‘Red Rombrero’ coneflower (Echinacea ‘Red Rombrero’, Zones 5–9), purple sage (Salvia officinalis, Zones 4–10), and the flutter of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima, Zones 6–10).
Also in the rock garden are Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas, Zones 8–9) and ‘Strawberry Sensation’ yarrow (Achillea ‘Strawberry Sensation’, Zones 4–9). This yarrow has become a surprise stunner!
Brazilian vervain (Verbena bonariensis, Zones 7–10 or as an annual), with silvery ‘Powis Castle’ artemisia.
A freshly picked garden bouquet of ‘Jacob Cline’ bee balm (Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’, Zones 3–8), veronica (Veronica spicata, Zones 3–8), mint (Mentha, Zones 3–11), and yarrow.
Mystic series dahlia (Dahlia × variabilis, Zones 8–11 or as a tender bulb)
Painted rex begonia (Begonia hybrid, Zones 9–11 or as an annual)
Thanks for looking. Find me in the garden @pondandperrygarden on Instagram and at Pond&PerryGarden on Facebook. Best wishes for the best gardening season yet!
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