Great Gardens Make Good Neighbors, Part 2
Change of plans: this post will not be about Brent and Becky’s Bulbs catalog, but I will get to them in the near future. Instead I want to write about the garden of Linda Ernst, who has developed an inspiring garden that is linked, front and back, with that of her close friend and neighbor Joanne Fuller.
Actually, the title for this post should really be Good Friends Make Great Gardens, because these two were friends before one moved in next to the other and the gardens took their present form.
Linda has a city lot and a half to work with, and she takes advantage of the extra space to create distinct garden rooms. Though to perfectly honest, looking at these pictures now I’m having a hard time remembering which garden room was where. So this post will be a little jumbled on that point.
Linda’s garden has more straight lines than Joanne’s and a more modern feel. However, it still has voluptuous masses of plants, and more bright color than you will find next door.
I love this combination of tall lilies (Orienpet hybrids, I think) and Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). The rectangular steel fountain is interesting. Not as bird friendly, but there are birdbaths elsewhere in the garden.
A sunny corner with brightly colored annuals and (if I remember right) a potting bench.
A sample of the metal sculpture found throughout the garden. The Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) climbing up a wire trellis make me happy.
Linda basically blockaded her garage in order to create a container garden and patio. This by itself makes her my hero.
More Luscious lilies scent the only bit of lawn in the whole garden.
A shady corner with more sculpture. This one reminds me a bit of overalls hanging out to dry. It seems to insert a sober note between the purple Clematis and bright orange Daylilies, a combination I love.
Linda Ernst makes fused glass objects and some of her work is on display in the garden.
Every garden needs a wire cat. I considered walking off with this one.
A shady spot with fine and bold textured plants.
In so many ways this was a garden to envy and emulate.
gardeninacity 
This one is a beauty. I really like the combination of defined edging and structure coupled with overflowing, abundant and colourful planting.
Interesting how those approaches complement each other. It is much the same principle as the “paintbox” garden at Giverny.
That last shot with the fabulous foliage has caught my eye. Any idea what those enormous leaves are bottom right? Looks too shady for a castor oil plant…
They look like Podophyllum delavayi to me. Gorgeous aren’ t they?
Oh yes, thought I’d seen them somewhere before! Thanks!
They are Podophyllum pleianthum – Chinese Mayapple. They die back in the winter, but come back full force in spring. Mine are already sprouting! The leaves are HUGE – such cool texture! http://plantlust.com/plants/podophyllum-pleianthum/
They have an interesting texture too, thick and glossy.
What a lovely garden Jason, I can see why you like it so much, I love the yellow sculpture lady holding up the clematis, great fun.
You know, I hadn’t even noticed that she was holding up the clematis! I like a touch of humor in the garden!
What beautiful gardens and I LOVE the artwork throughout the garden but I really love that wire cat!
The wire cat is really perfect.
I loved these two gardens. Like you, though, when I wrote a post about them, I couldn’t always remember which was which. I loved all the garden art, too, and the bright colors–it made me realize that is something sorely lacking in my own garden.
The thing was, Judy was walking back and forth through the garden gate taking pictures in both gardens so there is no one point where one garden ends in the photos and the other begins. But I guess that is partly the point.
Gosh. I just love how lush Northern gardens can be. What a delight to see.
Does it make you miss life in BC?
Yes. Absolutely.
Thanks, Jason, for the report. What a lovely garden…the colors therein are spectacular. Very, very thoughtful and creative design.
Yes, everything seems to flow together as if the garden just grew up that way.
what a lovely garden !!!!
I definitely agree.
Brings back fond memories of summer days soaking up fabulous gardens with friends old and new.
It was a very fun day.
I have seen these gardens on other sites. I think you presented this one perfectly. Here kitty kitty kitty…
If only you could tempt it away with a bowl of milk.
Love that cat … wish it would ‘saunter’ into my garden. Lovely post, really enjoyed those wonderful plantings schemes. And someone prepared to forsake a garage!
I know, I think she should get a medal for that! Shows she has the right priorities.
I love this post Jason! Picture are so good and it brings great inspiration and memories on this winter day!
Thank you! I really do enjoy looking at photos from last summer.
What a special place. Gardens are a real credit and testament to the planning.
Envy indeed. As has been said, the last picture is gorgeous, is there anything more eye catching than fabulous lush foliage
Well, the foliage is very nice, but I am one who gets excited mainly by flowers.
I like that low curved wall that is probably the perfect height for sitting on. It must come in handy for parties.
It’s a great garden.
I agree.
How gorgeous! I’d probably be tempted to walk off with that wire cat, too 🙂 As much as I love color and flowers, that last picture is the one that struck me the most. So beautiful!
I think my favorite bit was the purple coneflowers with the tall lilies.
I love how she gets such different feelings in the rooms, the potting room is so casual and cottage like and the other areas are so formal. So nice to be next to another gardener too, lots of talking “over the fence”!
I know, that would be truly a luxury, to have another garden fanatic right next door to compare notes with.
I too, liked the curved wall. Pretty garden.
Walls make a good addition to a garden. Another feature for the wish list.
So much colour!! Very eye popping. What I like best though is, as you point out, the lines in the garden and use of rooms. The colour is attractive but the way everything is organized is very graceful. Would love to find myself sitting back there in an afternoon. Great tour.
Love the hardscapes and the whimsical touches. Oh, and the Hakone grass and other foliage in the last shot. Gorgeous.
I tried to grow Hakone grass but sadly the rabbits chewed it to the ground.
There are so many amazing vignettes in this space that made me drool!!! I really think her garden has an amazing sense of balance and her pops of color throughout her space are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this one! Nicole
She does create a number of really stunning vignettes.
Great looking gardens, thanks for sharing. I love the fused glass bird bath/water feature. beautiful.
Very, very nice! I would have been tempted to nick the cat too!!!xxx
Wow I really love these gardens…so much creativity.
I agree!