Today’s photos are from Sharon Danovich Lupone. She gardens in Pittsburgh but loves the style of gardens from farther south.
Since 2008, we have worked diligently to bring our yard to life. I have chosen the plants and designed the hardscapes and lighting, using the principles of Charleston, South Carolina, landscape designer Loutrell Briggs. The entry garden, the pond and patio, and the lower garden along with their elevations have framed the plantings. The garden is located in Zone 6b, but we grow many plants that are more common in warmer climates, such as crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia, Zones 7–10), camellias (Camellia hybrids, Zones 7–10), pearlbush (Exchorda racemosa, Zones 4–8), aucuba (Aucuba japonica, Zones 7–10), chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus, Zones 6–10), and ‘Peggy Martin’ roses.
In the view up the front steps toward the house in spring, azaleas (Rhododendron hybrids, Zones 6–10) are blooming in their classic spring shades of pink.
Later in the season, golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 3–9) makes a big splash of bright foliage in front of the blooming shrubs.
By the entry, an urn is filled with bright foliage and flowers, with a canna lily (Canna hybrid, Zones 7–10 or as an annual) providing both striped leaves and a big spray of pink flowers.
The entry urn changes seasonally and through the years. This one is mostly shades of purple, accented with silver and gold.
And in the fall, it takes on the ruddy hues of that season.
Details in the hardscaping tie this garden together—for example, the herringbone pattern in the bricks in the front walkway, which is carried through to the patio in the back.
This special garden is a memorial to Sharon’s neighbor Susie, who died of a heart condition. This garden is full of all of her favorite plants, including crape myrtles and phlox (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8). Susie also loved sundials, so Sharon included one in this garden.
Beautiful light falls on a seating area under a huge maple (Acer sp.) tree in the back garden.
And on the front walk, the sunlight backlights hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrids, Zones 5–10) and hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens, Zones 3–9).
Sharon sent us so many wonderful photos of her garden that we’re going to split them over two days. Come back tomorrow to see more of the patio and back garden!
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