Today we’re off to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, to visit with Bob Hines. We’ve visited this garden before, so check earlier posts (start with Revisiting Bob and Mary Ann’s Garden in Kentucky).
The pictures today are from our 2020 garden, with ideas and plans for 2021 always in mind. We have an urban backyard garden that was started in a yard with only grass in 2009. We have a challenge, since every area of the garden is on a slope with access and drainage as a major part of our plans. Most of the garden is in moderate shade, so creating texture and color from spring to fall is also a challenge. We live in Zone 6a and have used annuals to enhance the basic plants of the garden.
Rich texture and color from shade-loving perennials gets amped up by the use of tender caladium (Caladium hybrid, tender bulb or an annual) with a red-and-white patterned leaf.
A beautiful and inviting entryway into the garden, with blooming hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3–8) to the left.
The genus Hosta is home to so many beautiful species, hybrids, and selections that you can make a whole planting just using their different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Another gateway in the garden, with blooming purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–8) showing off, to the pleasure of humans and pollinators alike.
Stepping stones lead you through the dense plantings.
Another gateway, flanked by tall containers of annuals overflowing with blooms.
Redhot pokers (Kniphofia, Zones 5–9) give dramatic spikes of hot-colored blooms.
A clump of cannas (Canna hybrids, Zones 7–10 or as annuals or tender bulbs) give a tropical feel with their broad leaves and colorful flowers.
If you want to see even more of this beautiful garden, check out the YouTube video Bob and Mary Ann created: Best of Bob and MaryAnn’s Garden 2020.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox.
