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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Garden of Darcanne and John Nixon

"Large sun-filled corner lot high on Renton Hill.  Come see how we have rid ourselves of the constant maintenance of a wrap-around Photinia hedge and used the space (and time!) to tend to beds full of bulbs, perennials, and choice evergreens."

Dierama pulcherrimum aka Fairy Wand loves this garden!

Water Hyacinth in bloom.  So delicate and pretty but highly invasive in warmer climates.

Great lichen-covered bench.  The Nixons have an interest in exhibition chrysanthemums and there were pots of them scattered all over the place. Doesn't the foliage look happy and healthy?

A large, perhaps inherited, pear tree heavy with fruit.

Fun collection of potted plants. 

Hydrangea time is in full swing.  Love those deep colors!

"Secret 'rain forest' garden tucked in on the North side for deep shade loving  plants."

"Fruit trees, berry garden and asparagus bed illustrate how easy it is to add edibles to the mix. Every season is a surprise here!"


Pots of orange ornamental grass (Anemanthele lessoniana?) punctuate the garden.



Dierama pulcherrimum seed pods make the most wonderful noise if brushed or blown by wind.

Thanks Darcanne and John for opening your garden!  I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as your visitors did!

21 comments:

  1. Looks quite nice, if not as expansive as some of the other gardens you visited. I wish Dierama were more cold-hardy -- I would love to grow this!

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    1. One of the cool things about the NPA tours is that they feature both estate-sized and tiny gardens. Dierama is gorgeous!

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  2. Is that an arisaema, 8th pic? wow!

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  3. My much much much much smaller Dierama is making that rustling sound now, I love it. Did they mention having seedlings appear around the mama plant? I've heard mixed reports on that. Naturally I'd love for it to occur.

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    1. They didn't say. I'll bet it happens in your garden this spring!

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  4. I didn't know that Dierama seedpods could be as pretty as the flowers themselves.

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  5. I think a lot of people are going to be out looking for Dierama now. You sure do visit a lot of gardens. There was one I really wanted to see yesterday evening, but I was too wrapped up in mine on the last cool day before the next heat wave.

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    1. Sometimes it's just as fun to stay at home and enjoy the paradise you've created!

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  6. Oops. Next year I'll let my fairy wand go to seed. I only wish it had a more robust looms.
    I'd love me a lichen-covered bench: it's so lovely. And speaking of Chrysanthemum: I'm trying a couple of pacific Chrysanthemums (after seeing it at tidewatergardener blog): unlike the exhibition chrysanthemums, it's grown mostly for it's foliage.

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    1. Pacific Chrysanthemums look great in pictures but I've never grown them so will be interested to hear how they do for you!

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  7. I'm fascinated by the "secret rain forest garden" plant. Do you know what it is?

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    1. I'm guessing Arisaema consanguineum.

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    2. Yes I believe you're right. I got it about 5 or 6 years ago at the Flower & Garden show. It's like a snake coming up out of the ground in the Spring. I buy a new Arisaema or 2 each year but that one is the tallest and most impressive and I've never found another of that quality.

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  8. We visited this garden last year. It's fun to explore all the different neighborhoods the NPA tours take you into.

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  9. That is one spectacular Arisaema!!! Wow... Love the Dierama too - can't wait for my puny one to get bigger... I'ts supposed to be a dark variety, but it's still working on creating foliage. I have a feeling I have a year or two to wait for blooms. But when it does, I will be sure to save the seedpods!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.