Happy Friday, GPODers!
We’re ending this week of mainly May gardens with an update from Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia. Cherry’s name might be most synonymous with the incredible public and private gardens she shares from her travels across North America (Cherry in Nancy Heckler’s Garden, Garden Tour with Cherry, Tofino Botanical Gardens, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Old Montreal, Bellevue Botanical Garden, and Centennial Park Conservatory—just to name a few), but her small garden and the incredible containers she creates in the Pacific Northwest are just as impressive.
Last we heard from Cherry, she shared an incredible series on her garden transformation and greenhouse installation (if you missed it, check out Cherry’s Small-Space Garden and Greenhouse Experience: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7). Today she’s sharing an update on another section of her garden in its full glory this May.
Sharing some snaps of the front garden for the month of May.
Hope you’re all happily immersed in gardens these days!
Cherry Ong
Richmond, BC
Perennially Crazy
View of the east side framed by Moonfire Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Moonfire’, Zones 5–9): The garden has much shade, and every year we hope to achieve the right amount of pruning to allow more light in. I roll my container gardens to where there is more light, as you can see here.
A vintage stone faux bois bird cage replaced the aging urn planter in the same location. The piece can be dismantled into three sections, but it was a challenge to transport and put in. This was sourced from the nursery where I have been volunteering, Southlands Nursery Vancouver. I have adored white and have been adding more and more touches of white in my garden over the years.
Bubble time in the garden: These alliums—which I think are Everest (Allium ‘Mount Everest’, Zones 4–8)—were from my sister’s garden.
Stepping back to see more foliage—yeah, it’s obvious the garden is overplanted, and I will have to do serious editing in this corner in the future (i.e., smaller hydrangea, removal of the rodgersia, and thinning of other perennials).
Feathers are just as fun as bubbles! False Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum, Zones 3–8), a native in these parts, puts on this spring show complete with a pleasing fragrance by the front door. In front of it is the gorgeous foliage of Griffith’s cobra lily (Arisaema griffithii, Zones 5–7) and Rubrifolia saxifrage (Saxifraga fortunei ‘Rubrifolia’, Zones 6–9).
The Sicilian honey garlic (Allium siculum, Zones 4–7) blooms were the funnest surprise this year.
I’ve planted these in the bed several years ago but no prizes till now.
Perennials along the feet of Bodinier’s beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri, Zones 5–8) are doing well: Japanese barberry (Berberis japonica, Zones 4–8), Red Umbrellas meadowsweet (Filipendula ‘Red Umbrellas’, Zones 4–9), ‘Crimson Fans’ mukdenia (Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’, Zones 4–8). Looking forward to the cheerful feathery blooms of the meadowsweet. . . .
Early-morning garden moment on a rainy day last week
Another garden moment from the front door
One of three perennial hanging spheres planted last year—they stayed out all winter. They have different saxifrages, which are divisions from the garden. The Fun and Games® ‘Eye Spy’ heucherella (Heucherella ‘Eye Spy’, Zones 4–9) is taking well to the dry shade, as the spheres are only sporadically watered.
Another view of the false Solomon’s seal as the blooms mature and wane— maybe we will have more bright red berries this year. They never keep.
Autumn Moon full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’, Zones 5–7) and aruncus in pots. Orange and whites always mix well, IMHO—my fave garden colors! Textures are a welcome bonus!
Thank you for another incredible update from your garden, Cherry! While we all adore seeing photos from your exciting garden expeditions, I find just as much enjoyment (if not more!) in seeing all the amazing plants you are able to fit into your small space. While I hope you get to visit some great public gardens this season, we look forward to seeing more of your fabulous plantings as well.
Happy first official day of summer to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere! While it’s always sad to see spring go, I’m thrilled for the summer gardens that will hopefully be flooding the Garden Photo of the Day inbox soon. However, if you’re still looking to share some last-minute snaps of spring, it’s not too late. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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