The Gardener's Eden

Into the Garden, Dreaming . . .

Michaela — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:24:50 +0000

Papa, Father’s Day Weekend, 2013

Raindrops in June . . .

Michaela — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:50:18 +0000

Rain on the Terrace

Although I confess a certain fondness springtime showers and fog, even for this lover of damp days, it’s been a particularly rainy June. Oh yes, the garden is lush —filled with deep green, chartreuse and the truest of blue hues— but bountiful, blushing buds and lime-colored strawberries are crying out for the warmth of sun. Here we wait —twirling dark umbrellas, while pining in musty galoshes— and where are you, sweet, sunny June?

First of the Herbaceous Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Raspberry Sundae’), Rescued from the Rain

A Swan Glides Through Misty Eventide Waters

Gift from the Rain: Snapped Stems of Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis)

Old Fashioned Weigela Tumbles Over the Damp Wall (Weigela florida ‘Red Prince’)

Photography & Text ⓒ Michaela Medina Harlow/The Gardener’s Eden. All images, articles and content on this site (with noted exceptions), are the original, copyrighted property of The Gardener’s Eden and may not be reposted, reproduced or used in any way without prior written consent. Contact information is in the left side bar. Please do not take my photographs without asking first. Thank you!

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Sweetly Fragrant Lady of the Evening: Delighting in Angel’s Trumpet Datura

Michaela — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:22:16 +0000

She Flies by Night Upon Perfumed Clouds: Angel’s Trumpet Datura (Datura meteloides ’Evening Fragrance’)

At nature’s golden hour —as the sun begins her daily, departing dance along my hilltop— evening creatures and shadow-spirits begin to stir. I love strolling through the garden with a glass of wine at this time of day; watching as backlit flower petals transform to brilliant stained glass. Lingering long in the deepening twilight, eventually I make my way back to the breezeway where I find evening drama unfolding beside the door.

Greeting me with a sweet, olfactory aperitif at sunset, Angel’s Trumpet Datura (Datura meteloides ‘Evening Fragrance’, aka D. inoxia), makes a show-stopping entrance and continues to enchant, late into the evening. With her enormous, silken, white petals and intoxicating perfume, delightfully fragrant Datura is my absolute favorite among the night-blooming flowers. Mysterious, exotic and dangerous —flowers, leaves and seed are all highly toxic— this hypnotic beauty resides in a protected spot beside my entryway door. A tender, sun-loving, summer-blooming shrub with a preference for evenly moist soil (3-4′ tall and wide at maturity, hardy in USDA zones 8-11), I often feature Angel’s Trumpet Datura ‘Evening Fragrance’ on patios, balconies and terraces as part of my annual, container arrangements. But beware: this show is an adults-only pleasure. Like all poisonous plants, Datura meteloides should not be included in gardens where children or pets wander unsupervised.

For more information about night blooming flowers and moon gardens, please click back to my previous post, here. Datura meteloides ‘Evening Fragrance’ seed may be purchased from Johnny’s Seed and Thompson and Morgan online.

Deep Blue and Clear as a Crater Lake: Austrian Speedwell’s Late Spring Allure

Michaela — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:21:11 +0000

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ’Crater Lake Blue’

Lapis lazuli blue; deep, bright, clear as a mountain lake. For many, the color blue evokes serenity… A feeling of quiet, calm contentment. From gems and pigments to leaves and flowers, true blue is a highly sought after hue. And yet, this primary color —irreplaceable in an artist’s palette— is fairly unusual in nature. Most blue wildflowers lean a bit toward purple; with tints ranging from pale lavender to deep violet. Perhaps this is why the horticultural world has become so obsessed with this ethereal hue.

Although the color varies a bit from plant to plant as the blossoms age, the flowers of Austrian Speedwell ‘Crater Lake Blue’ (Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ’Crater Lake Blue’), are some of the bluest of the blue. Spectacular in combination with rose, pale yellow, maroon-tinted leaves and willowy-hued blades of grass, this ultramarine blue, perennial flower is one of my late spring favorites. It is, quite simply, gorgeous . . .

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’

Members of the Speedwell clan (genus Veronica), are among the hardest working, flowering plants in perennial borders. Attractive to pollinators of all kinds, Speedwell’s reliably long bloom-time and easy-care nature make this genus popular with gardeners as well. Species like Alpine Speedwell (V. alpina), Long-leaved Speedwell (V. longifolia), Spike Speedwell (V. spicata), and many others —with cultivars from white, pink, fuchsia and violet to blue— make fantastic additions to perennial gardens. But I must confess, it is the Austrian Speedwell, ‘Crater Lake Blue’ that has my heart.

With delicate spires of lapis lazuli-hued blossoms opening in late-spring, Veronica austriaca subs. teucrium, is a garden designer’s dream. Commonly called Austrian and Hungarian Speedwell, or sometimes Crater Lake Blue Speedwell, Veronica austriaca subs. teucrium is a compact, mound-forming perennial with vertical, spiked blossoms (12-18″ high and wide). Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, the abundant, ultramarine blue flowers may be sheared back after blooming to keep the plant looking tidy. Resistant to both deer and rabbit browse and tolerant of all but soggy, poorly-drained soil types, this low-maintenance beauty is perfect for edging perennial borders and accenting rock gardens. Like most Veronicas, this species performs best in full sun, but will tolerate light, mid-day or afternoon shade. Just imagine a sweep of clear blue at the the edge of a deep rose-colored peony border. Oh my . . .

Garden Design: Michaela Medina Harlow

Enkianthus campanulatas ‘Red Bells’ Rings with Rosy, Late Spring Blossoms & Glorious Beauty Beyond Bloom . . .

Michaela — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:27:00 +0000

Enkianthus campanulatas ‘Red Bells’ with Baptisia australis, blooming in the background

June is a fantastic month for flowers. Everywhere you look —from sunny meadows to shady nooks— something seems to be blooming. At this time of year, many gardeners spend their weekend hours strolling through nursery rows, choosing blooming plants based upon their flower color. This is a tried and true method for selecting optimal bloom-time combinations, however, because most gardeners shop exclusively in spring and early summer, many gardens look great in June, but then fizzle out by early July. I like to encourage my clients to look beyond the beauty of May-June flowers; planning monthly, inspirational visits to nurseries and botanical gardens, straight through October. Keep in mind that as beautiful as they are in bloom, the majority of trees and shrubs in a well-designed garden should offer more than a brief, 1-2 week flowering period. When I plan gardens for my clients, I look for trees, shrubs and perennial plants with beauty-beyond-bloom; offering form, foliage (especially those with dramatic fall foliage), and structure, as well as gorgeous flowers.

I love the way Red Bells Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Red Bells’) catch raindrops and blend beautifully with the blue and violet springtime hues in gardens

Take Red Bells Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatas ‘Red Bells’), for example. Native to Japan, the beautiful, red-pink blossoms of this lovely shrub —opening in late May here in Vermont— attract pollinators —such as hummingbirds, butterflies and bees— and the tiny bell shaped flowers last well into the middle of June. Even after the flowers fade, Red Bells Enkianthus’ shiny, green leaves and its pleasing form offer a verdant backdrop for flowering perennials and foliage plants throughout the growing year. But the real bonus comes in autumn, when the leaves turn brilliant color; with hues ranging from red-orange to sizzling scarlet. Frosted with ice and fresh snow, the delicate twigs even look lovely in early winter.

Late October Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Red Bells’ foliage in my Vermont garden

Hardy in USDA zones 4a-7b, Red Bells Enkianthus is a medium-sized garden shrub; with a mature size of 6-8′ high and 4-6′ wide. This ericaceous plant prefers moist, woodsy, acidic soil and partially shady to mostly sunny locations. Great in combination with spring-flowering perennials and bulbs —particularly in blue-violet and clear yellow colors— I also like to position Red Bells Enkianthus near indigo, purple and blue fall bloomers and shrubs or perennial plants with maroon, burgundy or gold hued fall foliage. Used as a knock-out, solitary specimen or clustered in a group for an informal hedge, Enkianthus’ three-season beauty can bring bold color to a shady garden and lend a cooling hand to a sunny spot. It’s a great choice for extending beauty-beyond-bloom in your garden design.

Garden Design: Michaela Medina Harlow

Welcome, Sweet June . . .

Michaela — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:38:32 +0000

Drifting Through the Long, Luxurious Days of Late Spring . . .

Sparkling with Sunlight . . .

Onward, to the Golden Hours of Summer

Welcome, sweet June; half spring, half summer and completely overflowing with loveliness . . .

Morning Light Reflects Upon the Glassy Surface of the Secret Garden Water Bowl

The First of the Golden Girls, a High Noon Tree Peony Blossom (Paeonia moutan x lutea ‘High Noon’) Basks in Filtered Light (Read more about High Noon Tree Peony here)

Stonework Above: Dan Snow Stoneworks

Garden Design: Michaela Medina Harlow

Time for Maytime Magic & Wonder . . .

Michaela — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:22:33 +0000

Maytime Magic: Waking Up to Sunlit Silverbells in the Bedroom Window, Eagerly Anticipating an Unstructured Day

With cold temperatures and rainy days squeezing an already tight work schedule, finding time to enjoy my own garden can be a challenge at this time of year. Busy creating outdoor spaces for others —with a growing backlog of projects and deadlines to meet— it’s essential to recharge my creative batteries. I promise myself Sunday and Monday rest; tending to my garden’s maintenance on off-days. More often than not though, this year Mother Nature seems to have other ideas; late frosts, torrential rains and damaging winds. Finally, at the end of a raw, wet weekend, she decided to grant me my wish… A glorious, golden day in the garden.

This is my eden; a secret sanctuary where I seek fresh inspiration and refill my well . . .

Seduced by the Warm Light and the Song Sparrow’s Springtime Serenade

We Accept Our Invitation to Breakfast Alfresco on the Blossom-Stewn Terrace, Beneath the Sun-Drenched Silverbell Boughs

Drinking in this Moment of Purest, Springtime Perfection

And Later, Perhaps a Walk Through the Meadow, Swaying with Blue-Violet Camassia Blossoms (Camassia quamash)

And Later, a Stroll through the Secret Garden —Long Afternoon Shadows Slipping Through Pathways— Fragrant with Wild, Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) and Daphne (D. x burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie)

Where We’ll Rendezvous with Prince Pickerel —Resident Royal of the Secret Garden— Just Recently Returned to His Summertime Throne, Beside the Stone Door

We Won’t Hurry, Instead, Lingering Long on the Phlox-Lined Path (P. divaricata)

Watching as the Witch Alder (Fothergilla major ‘Mt. Airy’), Catches Fire in Afternoon Sunlight, Dizzy with Drunken Honeybees

Later, as Evening Moves in —Forest Echoing with Birdsong– We’ll Wander Up the Stairs, Back Onto the Terrace

Sipping Wine Beneath the Blossoms, Long into the Late May Evening

Garden Design: Michaela Medina Harlow

The Alluring Scent of Lila & Muguet: Treasures Lost & Found in the Rain. . .

Michaela — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:26:37 +0000

Muguet, the Fragrance of May (Convallaria majalis)

Oh, how I wish there were a way to bottle the sweet perfume of a rainy May evening. French lilac, lily-of-the-valley, Spanish and English bluebells, daphne, viburnum, violet and damp moss; the heady fragrance of springtime swirling about in dusk’s chilly air. Alas, with no way to truly preserve it, I’ve resolved to indulge in May’s beautiful aroma twenty-four hours a day, by filling every vase and vessel with freshly cut flowers.

And while out gathering lily-of-the-valley between springtime showers, I made an unanticipated, happy discovery. A favorite pair of Japanese gardening shears —presumed lost in a moment of careless distraction, last autumn— lay partially concealed amongst the muguet; camouflaged by blackened compost and umber leaf mold. Reclaimed in the nick of time, with a bit of oil and a whetstone rub, they’ll soon be no worse for wear. In this moment, I’ll delight in their rust-stained beauty; complement to the bluebell. Treasures lost and found in the rain.

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica, aka Scilla hispanica)

French White Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Mme. Lemoine’)

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Silverbells Upon a Moonlit, May Night: Planning an Enticing Evening Garden . . .

Michaela — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:23:39 +0000

Silverbells Swing in May Moonlight (explore Halesia tetraptera here)

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

After the Sun slips below the horizon, tossing her golden farewell to the tree tops, a different kind of garden romance begins. Slowly, indigo-blue twilight sweeps in, enveloping the garden in long, velvet shadows. As darkness falls, lady Moon often makes a dramatic, evening entrance; seducing us with her ever-changing glow and mysterious platinum charm. Overflowing with shimmering, fragrant blossoms and leafy silhouettes, there’s something irresistibly enticing about a moonlit garden. Many of us spend our daylight hours busy with work, leaving our gardens for late afternoon and evening enjoyment. So why not make the most of the night? When designing outdoor rooms for busy clients —particularly entryways, porches, balconies and dining terraces— I like to add a bit of moonlight garden surprise into my planting plans.

Silverbell Blossoms —Pretty as Crystals Dangling from a Handblown, Glass Chandelier— Sway in the Breeze Above the Outdoor Dining Table on a Moonlit Evening

A wide variety of trees and shrubs —including the Carolina Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera), pictured here—produce white and light colored blossoms; perfect for catching glints of moonlight. In spring, Serviceberry (Amelanchier x arborea), Dogwood (Cornus florida, C. alternifolia and C. kousa), Cherry (Prunus), Apple (Malus), deliciously fragrant Daphne (D x burkwoodii) and many Viburnum come to mind. Climbers, like self-clinging Moonlight Hydrangea Vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides), and Clematis (particularly white-flowering moon-garden-classic Clematis Henryi), are invaluable for adding height and glow to the evening garden. Flowering perennials —such as fragrant Oriental Lilies (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’ & ‘Star Gazer’), Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) and Fairy Candles (Actaea simplex)— especially those with lush, variegated leaves, as well as ferns (particularly Athyrium x ‘Ghost’), foliage plants and ornamental grasses in shades of silver, white and gold are also helpful in creating nighttime drama.

Queen Anne’s Lace, Silhouetted in the Late-Summer Moonlight

But often, in the stillness of late spring and summertime air, it’s the light, lacy silhouettes and fragrant, evening-blooming annuals that we find most enticing in an evening garden. For alluring scent, try fragrant, flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris), delightful Datura (Datura meteloides ‘Evening Fragrance’), Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis), Four-O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa), Angel’s Trumpts (Brugmansia arborea), Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum); all among my favorites. And for some reliable, light reflection, add classic Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba), Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) and sparkly, white Spider Flowers (Cleome hassleriana), for more night-dazzling pizazz.

Apple Blossom Love in the Afternoon . . . A Little Romance at Scott Farm Orchard

Michaela — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:37:15 +0000

A Late Afternoon Stroll Through the Sun-Drenched Orchard at Scott Farm; Fragrant with the Sweet, Delicate Scent of Apple Blossoms . . . Seduced by the Impossibly Romantic Combination of Apple Trees in Full Bloom, Golden Light and Perfumed Air . . .

Minutes Slip and Stretch to Stolen Hours; Luxurious into Evening . . .

As the Last Rays of Sunlight Illuminate Silken, Pastel-Pink Petals . . .

Blushing and Trembling —Chill to the Breeze— A Frenzy of Dizzy Dancing Above Dandelions . . . Soon a Twilight Chorus of Redwing Blackbirds and Bumble Bees, Rises from the Shadows . . .

A Springtime Siren-Song, Whispering on the Wind, Shaking Loose a Cascade of Wayward Petals . . .

Falling Soft to Verdant, Blossom-Strewn Pathways . . .

And Violet-Lined Carpets . . .

Drifting off to Sweet Summer Slumber and Autumn Apple Harvest Dreams.

Thank you to Ezekiel Goodband, Kelly Carlin, Tristam Johnson and everyone at Scott Farm and Landmark Trust, U.S.A.

Scott Farm’s Springtime Renaissance: Above the Orchard, Beauty in Full Bloom

Michaela — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:15:58 +0000

Beauty in Full Bloom: Above the Apple Orchard, Scott Farm, Vermont

It’s apple blossom season at Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont, and the orchard is in full, fragrant glory. Having posted many articles here on The Gardener’s Eden about the Scott Farm orchard —both during the springtime bloom and again during the autumn apple harvest— I decided to do something a bit different this year. Change is in the air at Scott Farm, and inspired by the uplifting mood, I took to the sky for a fresh, symbolic perspective on this beautiful, Vermont treasure.

Row upon row of heirloom fruit trees —including apples, quince, peaches, plums and pears, as well as berries— fill the orchard at Scott Farm.

With Tristam Johnson now serving as interim executive director at Landmark Trust, the springtime excitement at Scott Farm has reached an all-time high. Kelly Carlin, office manager, has been updating Scott Farm’s website, and long-time orchard manager and heirloom fruit tree expert, Ezekiel Goodband has recently begun blogging; journaling about day-to-day orchard keeping, as well as posting updates on fruit tree sales, educational programs and community activities at the farm. There’s a springtime renaissance happening at Scott Farm, and the entire orchard is buzzing with the lively energy of a newly invigorated hive. Be sure to visit the Scott Farm website throughout the growing season for information about the availability of ecologically grown orchard fruit and berries, as well as seasonal events and educational opportunities at Scott Farm.

A heart-felt thank you goes out to Landmark Trust’s new, Executive Director, Tristam Johnson, Scott Farm’s Office Manager, Kelly Carlin and Scott Farm Orchard Manager, Ezekiel Goodband for extending a warm welcome on my visits, both aerial and terrestrial. Wishing everyone at Scott Farm a bright and happy new growing season!

And a very special note of thanks to William Bonnette, offering flight training, photo flights and aerial photography services in New England, and beyond. Thank you so much for donating your time, expertise and use of your aircraft for this flight! Click on image below for more information or to schedule your own flight above New England!

Upon a May Night: Fire and Ice Follies

Michaela — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:42:08 +0000

Fire & Ice Follies Upon a May Night: Enjoying Narcicissus ‘Ice Follies’ & Dan Snow’s Fire Sculpture After a Day of Work in the Garden

Now that spring has finally sprung, I find myself caught in a familiar pattern of Maytime, garden design madness. There’s so much I want to see, and so very much I need to do, how can I possibly fit everything in? Fortunately, Mother Nature has anticipated this problem and she likes to extend us all a bit of daylight credit at this time of year. It’s so nice to have a few extra, late-afternoon hours to bask in the low sunlight and linger in the garden, before twilight shadows settle in.

Once darkness falls, my favorite way to spend a May night is beside Dan Snow’s fire sculpture; relaxing with a glass of wine, a view of the ever-expananding flowerbeds, my furry friends and good company . . .

Note to self: you can never plant too many Narcissus! Fire Sculpture: Dan Snow Stoneworks

As a garden designer, this is my busiest time of the year. Most days, I only catch tiny glimpses of my garden as I run to and from appointments. I like to make the most of those moments, so I choose a different path each time I pass through the garden, and I carry my camera with me most of the time. First to bloom beside the Secret Garden wall, the Bodnant Viburnum (V x bodnantense ‘Dawn’), is just now fading to leaf. Meanwhile other Viburnum species —my favorite genus of woody plants— as well as the Lindera benzoin, Amelanchier, Fothergilla and Syringa are budding and bursting into flower. I adore the spicy-sweet fragrance of the Viburnum in early morning and later, in misty evening air . . .

With its silver-green, pubescent foliage, cerise buds and intensely spicy fragrance, the Judd Viburnum (Viburnum x judii) is truly one of my favorite species.

Mirror, mirror, beside the garden wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Why Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’, of course! Although her blooms are slowly fading, I still have her gorgeous foliage —and scarlet autumn color— to enjoy.

Beautiful Burkwood Viburnum, Anne Russell’s Buds Swell in Sunset Silhouette: Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’ (Mohawk Viburnum)

The last flowers of Bodnant Viburnum (V. x bodnantense ‘Dawn’) greet the first blooms of Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

And the fragrant, bottle-brush fluff of Fothergilla major ‘Mt Airy’ (Witch Alder)

Fire Sculpture: Dan Snow Stoneworks

Garden Design: Michaela Medina Harlow