Garden tour season will be starting soon. I never get tired of visiting gardens - private or public. I belong to several organizations that allow me to peek into other gardeners' creations. I have never been disappointed. Besides the obvious glutinous pleasure of an hour or two spent gazing at sumptuous splendor, I especially like to look for gardens with similar conditions to mine and I always try to bring home 2-3 new ideas for my own garden. I look for things like:
- how people take advantage of spaces, small and large
- how they hide ugly features and what they choose to highlight
- plants I don't know or have never seen growing
- combinations I can use in my own garden
- and even things I don't think worked
There are incredible gardens in the most unlikely places. Even if you're still in a chill, many public gardens have conservatory shows during the winter. I can't tell you how lovely it is to be in a warm greenhouse full of the scents of flowers and damp soil. Go get some inspiration.
- Check out the Garden Conservancy's Open Days
- Garden Visit Etiquette
- Recommend a Garden to Visit (and see which other reader's enjoyed
Photo: © Marie Iannotti
Comments
Thanks Marie! Details about all the Open Days will be published on our website in a few weeks!
I would like to know if that pic was taken indoor or outdoor?
The species of plants look like a smorgasbord of diff environments.
Plz let me know.
Stephanie, I’ve already ordered my guide book. Spring can’t come too soon!
Jan, the small photos are hard to see, I know. Both photos were taken outdoors. The first was taken at a private garden in Ulster, NY. It was July and the border was full of Salvias, Phlomis and a golden Spirea. All easy care plants.
The 2nd photo is from the Japanese Garden of Portland, OR, in September. It is a tapestry of evergreens and I suspect it looks fabulous at anytime of year. This garden is meticulously maintained.
But I know what you’re saying, I hate it when designers mix daffodils with lilacs and roses, at garden shows.