If I could, I would provide a link to the article, but the magazine doesn't provide that. You will just have to buy a copy for yourself.
March 30, 2015
Magazine Worthy
Late last summer I had a chance to visit the garden of a co-worker. Hearing others talk about how nice it was, and knowing the garden had been on a tour sponsored by the Norfolk Botanical Garden, I pestered her into letting me come see for myself, camera in hand. As much as I love seeing what other gardeners have created, I also had been on the lookout for an opportunity to write another garden profile article for Virginia Gardener magazine. Knowing this, my co-worker still said yes. What I found was a very unique and personal creation, and despite the threat of storms, I was able to get some great photos. I worked on the article this winter, submitted it in January, and it just came out in the April issue.
One of the striking things about this garden (other than the adept use of color) is the choice of plant material, in that it thankfully makes a very wide departure from the typical Norfolk garden of azaleas, nandina and Japanese hollies. The gardener originally set out to create something with a more tropical feel to it, and although that element is still present, in recent years she has steered it a little more southwesterly. After her son got bitten by the succulent bug, they began amending soil, improving drainage, and experimenting with what might survive in a wet zone 8a garden. Those things too tender for a typical winter here are kept in a very crowded sun room during the cold months. The beautiful agave below is 'Arizona Star' and punctures and blindness are risked to bringing it in for the winter.
Before heading to the back garden I want to share my favorite photo of the day, which unfortunately the magazine did not use. Maybe they didn't know how much of a thing I have for crows.
The foliage below belongs to Manihot grahamii (hardy tapioca). My co-worker says she pulls its seedlings up frequently. I hope one can find its way to my garden.
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Congrats Les on your work for the magazine. The garden is very different and has a lot of visual interest.
ReplyDeleteLes, this garden is gorgeous! Big, bold, unusual plants combined with an artist's eye. That hardy tapioca is a super star. Don't know if your co-worker intended it, but the center bed in the backyard looks like a water feature to me.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Les. What a gem you found. I discovered my first manihot seedling yesterday and wasn't sure they regularly self-sowed -- now I know! I've always coveted that Arizona Star agave. Your friend has made some inspired choices for your climate, and everything looks happy and flourishing.
ReplyDeleteThat garden is fabulous! What fun it must have been to write about it. I am oh so jealous of that manihot, what a gorgeous specimen.
ReplyDeleteSimply lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool garden! Love those huge agave and the manihot is to die for ! I've never had a manihot make it through the winter here but now bring one inside, hoping that someday it might look a fraction as good as the one in your photo. Thanks for this taste of summer!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the article Led, some fabulous foliage interest in that garden, I love the tapioca.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting choice of plants. Everything looks to be healthy despite the rigors of NC humidity, so impressive growing skills also. The touches of red in the flowers in the front yard matching the red steps works well.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your article! I can see why they wanted to print your lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful garden. I did not know that you wrote for Virginia Gardener (I write for Alabama Gardener). Finding gardens these days is hard. I have just about exhausted my supply where I live.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun garden! I love the red porch floor. Off to buy the magazine! If you ever end up in NoVA, let me know. There are some great gardens up here. :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those photos and that garden with us. Everything looks grown to perfection, and I agree, excellent use of color.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love a garden which surprises? Love this one. The red steps are da bomb and I agree with you about the crow picture. They give life to the landscape.
ReplyDeleteWow! I would never have guessed Virginia with those Agaves. So inventive and so many great combos. I like your favorite picture because of that great sky color. I am a crow fan as well and have some of my crow drawings on the blog. I learned to love crows since urban gardeners share our gardens with them.
ReplyDeleteI will look for that magazine! Your photos tell a wonderful story of that garden. I adore the agaves. Talk about an architectural plant! They can really soar in the garden - like your crows!
ReplyDeleteGreat garden, great photos! Congrats on getting the article published. This garden feels very exotic and lively to me.
ReplyDeleteVery cool plant choices. Thanks for showing it to us!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your article. You did a great photo story on a fantastic garden.
ReplyDeleteVery distinctive garden. On our very best day, our garden would never be as neat and well cared for as the one you photographed. That hardy tapioca is particularly striking from a distance.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the article Les! The pictures are fantastic and really show off the garden nicely. I love the originality in the plantings and the mixes of textures and foliage colors. The leaves on the Manihot grahamii are just beautiful. I can see why you would want a seedling. It has nothing to do with the garden- the red steps and front porch are super fun.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the winter walk off. It was a bit of a crazy month. Next year for sure!
Definitely magazine worthy garden and photos! Your co-worker's design is diverse, colorful, and oh so neat and tidy! I love those well-edged paths that draw you further into gardens.
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