My second garden is two hours outside of Toronto, where I exult in tons of space, sun and sandy soil with lots of rocks. Not to mention hummingbirds and clear night skies full of stars. It’s not a designed garden, rather it’s a bit of a chaotic and impromptu mess. But it’s a pretty mess.
It’s arrived after years of using a garden technique I call “Plunking.” Dramatization below:
Me: I just bought this plant, where should I put it?
Me, answering back: Oh, just plunk it there in that empty space.
I’ve resolved to change my “plunking” ways, and to get more structure in my garden, especially after seeing Country Gardener’s garden (Yvonne Cunnington) this summer. But for now, here’s how things look this Blooms Day.
Wild asters, goldenrod, phlox, coneflowers, monarda all fighting it out.
Fatal Attraction Coneflower Echinacea. I need more of these.
Crimson Pirate Daylily and Monarda Fistulosa.
My recuperation spot under my living green umbrella. I feel a kinship with Newton here: I have to watch out for falling apples. Basket is for collecting them. The last gasp of the white phlox is disguising my rain barrel.
18 comments
All those flowers are Fabulous! I love seeing all the differnt gardens people have. Gives you so many ideas! Thanks for sharing.
jen (4bratz2luv)
That echinacea is to die for! Thanks for sharing. And if these are you results, just go right on plunking! Structure in the garden is a wonderful thing, especially in winter; even the odd boulder can give you something to work around!
I love a plunked garden, and have one out back. It always seems so natural and appealing.
I'm a reforming "plunker", too. It makes for a lot more work down the road, doesn't it? Your garden here is lovely! Whereabouts is it? (We might be nearby.)
Hey Helen .. I have Fatal Attraction too and it is a wow ! echinacea for sure .. so is Merlto in its own right. If you ever run acroass "Sparkler" with its varigated foliage .. it has a very individual "pink" flower .. it is a beautiful cultivar of the echinaceas .. so many new ones on the go , the still beautiful older ones get left behind ? 😉
GardenJoy, I spoke to a gardener Virginia, up north this summer who hated all the new coneflowers, especially the doubles and wierdly shaped ones. I tend to agree. I do like some of the new colours. Just discovered Tiki Torch and Sundown. Still love the oldies though and will use the new ones to harmonize with the old.
Laura, thanks for the thumbs up. I wish that I could transport all the great garden designers to get your advice on site! I do have some huge rocks, I just need a genie to come in and move them to the perfect places for me.
Amy my place is in the middle of nowhere, not far from Marmora and Madoc, south of #7 Hwy.
Jen, I know. I love seeing other people's gardens, always looking for great ideas to steal.
Everything looks great, Sarah. You've obviously been busy. The 'Fatal Attraction' coneflower certainly lives up to its name.
That is a nice ech.
I kind of like the serendipitous approach — it looks as though it's made a beautiful garden so far.
It might say something about you that your relaxing spot is fraught with danger.
I understand the art of plunking! I do it too, and had planned to unplunk some stuff this spring but real life intervened. There's always next spring….
Oh, and that nursery? Is in the smallest province. I don't have an email address for you or I'd answer you with more detail.
I think "plunking" is the perfect way to "design" a country garden. Natural, unstructured and lush – that's what your garden looks like to me. Lovely.
By the way, hot enough for you?
Heather
I thought I was the only 'plunker' in the garden blogosphere. I'm so glad I'm not. Especially when your plunked garden looks so gorgeous!Maybe there's hope for me (and my garden) yet 🙂
'My second garden' sounds a little like 'my fourth husband' – slightly self indulgent, hard work and yet enviable!
Helen: I have a MeMe award for you and your beautiful blog, so please go to my post for more information.
How wonderful your second garden is, Helen! I love the mix of meadow type flowers, and that dark echinacea is a real looker. To have lots of plunking space, a dream come true. I am a plunker as well, although trying to get organized. It may not be possible though.
Frances
I love looking at your pictures and seeing how green it is! California is so, so dry!
Stephaneer, I haven't had an apple hit me on the head yet, but one year a small black bear came awfully close to my favourite napping spot. (Luckily I was indoors at the time)
Little green fingers, "my fourth husband", hilarious! Yes, the garden space itself is enviable. The somewhat crumbling household infrastructure, unfortunately, not!
Thanks all, for your thumbs-up on my "plunking" ways.
Urban Field Guide. This year was unusually cool and rainy. It's not usually this green and lush in August. It did make a nice change this year.