Second Heaven: Where I Spend My Downtime!

There is something magical about this garden! I am privileged beyond imagination to be able to surround myself with such rampant beauty on a weekly basis – even if some people would consider it work!
  An earlier post focused on the Spring garden – April, when the property was a riot of spring flowering bulbs and ephemerals, most notably the majestic stands of Matteuccia struthiopteris! Imagine my delight at being able to watch them unfurl their fiddlehead fronds and leap skyward! Literally, many of the mature clumps come close to 1m in height and spread!

Arriving, one is given a glimpse of the fernery that awaits ! The stone house and surrounding gardens compliment one another, making it not only a picture perfect oasis, but inviting for like minded gardeners, a group of whom will be visiting in mid July. Prepping the gardens have become my essential task.
   Two planters that greet visitors have been cleverly designed to include stems of Agapanthus of a startling mauve-blue.
Undoubtedly one of my favourite aspects of the property os the woodland garden which features wonderful mass plantings of Trillium, Arisaema, Sanguinaria and Corydalis – four of my must have shade garden essentials! A wonderful curved stone wall houses steps from the veranda to garden level.
The clever positioning of Sorbaria sorbarifolia and Hydrangea ‘Annabel’ help to camouflage the central air unit, and the recent addition of an authentic Japanese gate distracts the eye!
  A closer view of some of the woodland garden residents, including the spectacular Arisaema triphyllum, our native ‘Jack’ whose spathe has disappeared, but retains its distinctive trifoliate foliage!
Clever repetition of the container plantings at roadside here, in the formal garden helps to tie the property together. The circle of clipped Buxus sempervirens introduces visitors to the white garden where a more formalized structure is introduced to help slow down and soothe the eye.
A sumptuous Hosta specimen and obelisk anchor one end of a delightful semi circular stone wall, allowing for a respite for visitors to the garden.
  The use of a limestone wall whose bricks have aged naturally and a fence whose complimentary hue have allowed for a narrow bed to be planted with Begonia and other shade loving plants.
      Stay tuned for the second installment!