Hi GPODers!
As promised, we’re back in in Apalachin, New York, to see more photos from Jane Watkins’s spring garden. Be sure to check out Part 1 if you missed it yesterday, or read Jane’s description below if you need a refresher on her space. Otherwise, keep on scrolling to see more photos of her spring plants.
After a chilly April and a rainy May, spring weather is finally here in central New York! I garden on 5-plus acres in very rocky clay soil, high on a hilltop in Zone 5b. Winter winds and voracious deer are a challenge, so I try to limit myself to deer-resistant shrubs and perennials that can withstand Zone 4b just in case we get a really cold winter. Some plants I love too much to give up, such as hostas, clematis, and hibiscus, so I drape them with deer netting held down with metal earth anchors. My beautiful pink tree peony is easily 20 years old and had 40 blooms this year. My Sarah Bernhardt peonies are 35 years old.
I’ve been gardening since we bought our first house in the late 70s. I am a Master Gardener through Cornell Cooperative Extension, and spending time in my gardens is my source of relaxation.
This slice of lovely shade is what Jane has dubbed her Meditation Garden, with an attractive palette of bright green foliage and pink blooms creating a serene and relaxing space.
Yesterday we saw Jane’s sensational 35-year-old Sarah Bernhardt peony covered in ruffled blooms and lots of buds. Today we get a look at her equally enchanting pink tree peony (Paeonia × suffruticosa, Zones 3–8) that she says is at least 20 years old.
This red peony is potentially a newer addition but just as wonderful.
A lovely cluster of Siberian iris (Iris sibirica, Zones 3–9) is a wonderful pop of indigo against bright green foliage.
More of Jane’s colorful collection of hostas—these have been draped with deer netting to protect them from the next passing herd.
Jane has a great eye for plants that have multiple areas of interest. Yesterday we admired her Black Lace elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’, Zones 4–7), and this Magic Carpet spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Walbuma’, Zones 4–9) is another stand-alone star. It’s absolutely covered in clusters of bright pink blooms, but it’s the chartreuse foliage that makes the plant extra wow-worthy.
A mix of sedum and other low-growers come together in Jane’s succulent garden. Pink columbine blooms—potentially ‘Dorothy Rose’ (Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Dorothy Rose’, Zones 3–9)—on tall stems add some height, and a trio of mushrooms add a whimsical touch.
While Jane’s garden features a range of wonderful pink, purple, blue, and yellow blooms, white flowers can create just as eye-catching of an impact. White bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’, Zones 2–9) has those heart-shaped blooms we all love; they glow against its green foliage and would make a wonderful addition to any moon garden.
Lastly, a Wine and Roses weigela (Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’, Zones 4–8) is another excellent plant selection from Jane. The dark foliage contrasts wonderfully with the tubular, bright pink blooms, and its deer resistance means that Jane can enjoy all this beauty without worry of complete destruction.
Thank you so much for two great days of photos from your garden, Jane! You have so many fantastic plants putting on beautiful shows this time of year that I’m glad you didn’t hold back on your submission.
What spring plants put on the best performance in your garden this year? Or are there already summer stars that are stealing the show? Consider sending photos of your favorite plants to be featured on Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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