Linda Hostetler’s Garden of Happy Surprises
So this will be my last post about the 2017 Garden Bloggers’ Fling, and it seems right and proper to end with one of the very best of the many fine gardens we visited.
This was another Northern Virginia garden, that of garden designer Linda Hostetler. Above is a view from the street. As the title indicates, this was a garden full of happy surprises. The surprises could be objects of striking color, inspiring plant combinations, or creatures sharing the garden with people. For its size this garden had plenty of winding paths, as well as vignettes that suddenly revealed themselves to the delight of the visitor.
There were plants to enjoy, for sure. I liked her use of Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis), which I don’t have in my own garden.
Also this vertical color combination: the burgundy Coleus, orange Daylilies and dark purple Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria).
Is this lion cowardly, or just tired?
Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) and Hosta – I never thought of putting them together, but I like the mix of broad and narrow leaves. Plus, the flowers complement each other nicely.
Now that’s a bird house! Perhaps the site of an avian Fall of the House of Usher.
There were at least two small ponds, each lushly planted. I love the stairstep waterfall that feeds this pond.
A glowing orb adds mystery to a scene of primeval green.
Wish I could remember the name of this magenta flower – it was really striking.
More Bear’s Breeches with red Crocosmia.
A narrow path makes its way through colorful plantings.
Another path of stone leads to a sitting area, one of several.
Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopia) added a tropical touch.
Another pond, with a nice clump of blue Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata).
The ponds were very frog-friendly.
Papyrus (Caperus papyrus).
Another artificial stream rushing through the garden.
This garden had all kinds of interesting objects in a particular shade of intense blue (cobalt blue, I’ve been told).
A curving path lined with boxwood, one of the more formal-looking features in this garden.
There isn’t a lot of lawn in the back garden, but there is this inviting area with benches placed against a stone wall.
A blue arbor serves as an entrance to the lawn area, with an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) off to the right.
We really could have used more time to enjoy this beautiful and energizing garden.
That’s all for now.
gardeninacity 
So lovely and great to think of the next spring’s plantings. Good things to muse and mull over now that the snow and winter is setting in.
Exactly.
How pretty!! I love the whimsy of winding paths through a garden. Going to have to incorporate this in my own garden someday! Thank you for sharing!
I’d also like to have more in the way of winding paths.
What an interesting garden…. I love the winding path & it gives time to look at the layers of colourful plants on either side. The seating area against the wall is lovely… Wonderful garden in all. It has given me more ideas for plant shopping. I like the Bear’s Breeches ….The name & the flower..
It’s a very cool name. I wonder how many plants are named for trousers? I can think of one other at the moment, Dutchman’s Breeches.
Ha ha! Well I’ve learnt something new today!
That’s a beautiful garden. It’s more along the lines of what I’d do if I were building a garden.
I think the only thing I’d change is the boxwood hedge. No more hedge trimming for me.
I think the lion looks hungry. I love that birdhouse!
I agree about the boxwood – I just don’t like how it looks, on top of the issue of hedge trimming.
Cobalt blue or Maya blue?😉 Whatever the case, wonderful color, lovely gardens.
I just looked up Maya blue – first I’ve heard of it. It’s a lovely color, though I think the blue in this garden had more purple in it.
What a great garden, full of surprises. What is the size, do you remember, because there’s an awful lot packed into the space.
Attended a talk on designing gardens earlier this fall, and the seating area is reminiscent of those described.
Not sure about the size, I’d guess a little over an acre, so much larger than the typical suburban lot where I live.
I first visited Linda’s garden about 15 years ago and have been back on several occasions. Each time there was something new and enchanting to see. We were together with her and Ralph on a tour to Seattle, and she visited my garden in Chapel Hill (lots of great suggestions.)
Linda is a fabulous garden designer and a grand lady. I have missed seeing her since we moved to Charlotte.
You’re lucky to have had chances to visit at different times of year.
That Lion was just tired. Concrete lions and cats are very popular and even traditional in Los Gatos (the Cats). We are the Kitty City.
At least it must keep your mice and rabbits under control.
Concrete rodents are easy to catch. They don’t move too fast.
How beautiful! I particularly like the cobalt blue accents and the various water features. I think the lion may be old. He looks like he wants to pounce but maybe wonders if it is worth the effort.
I think he decided to take a nap instead.
Lovely garden to share now that it is so cold. I have Bear’s breeches, it spreads like mad if happy, mine is very happy! Lovely combination of plants, a talented lady.
I’ve never tried to grow Bear’s Breeches, the thorny bits intimidate me.
What an interesting garden. I would never have thought of using cobalt blue but it really works. I like the tired lion. The curved path looks most enticing.
Beware of introducing acanthus, it looks dramatic but it is very invasive and imposssible to get rid of.
I think curved paths are almost always more appealing than straight.
What a splendid garden, and definitely full of many delighting elements. Wondering if that magenta flower could be a ginger? The leaves and blossoms both are reminiscent of it. Love all your wonderful pics, Jason.
Thank you – though Judy gets the credit for the photographs.
What a luxuriant garden. Filled with such healthy lush plants. I don’t blame you for wanting to linger there. So much to see and so little time seems to be the mantra of a garden tour especially when you land in a garden with such pleasures. I have tried to grow Bears Britches several times. I don’t know if it is my soil or the seeming constant bouts of drought that gets it here.
One of my absolute faves on the 2017 Fling tour. Thanks for the revisit.
You’re welcome! I enjoyed the post you did on this garden.
That really is a lovely garden – great photos too. I love that blue as a theme throughout the garden. Very inspiring. Oh, and I think that lion is just bored – he’d love to jump through those water features and grasses, but being made of stone has its disadvantages!
I liked all the blue-themed objects as well.
Thanks for this garden tour, Jason! I especially was immediately attracted by all the blue decoration items.
Same here!
What I loved about this garden was how it seemed to comfortably develop a personality all its own, with no pretense or attempt to follow a certain aesthetic, but just a naturally unfolding imagination of the designer. I can’t decide whether the lion looks anxious or grief-ridden–but there’s a haunted look in those eyes!
Yes, there was a certain relaxed creativity which make the garden special.
Such a lovely garden! Just beautiful.
This garden really does have it all – just gorgeous. Loved those hits of cobalt. And what timing on capturing that frog!
The frogs were plentiful. I wish I had some in our garden.
Beautiful garden with something to discover at every turn. Surprised me to see so many hostas everywhere as deer love them so much.
Good point about the deer. There must have been deer fences but they were cunningly concealed because I didn’t notice them.
What a splendid garden and photos to match! I don’t know about cowardly, but the lion does look a little worried.
If that’s the case, I certainly can’t argue with him.
The combination of the house with the garden is really beautiful. I’ve always wanted to try growing bear’s breeches.
I think that lion just wants some pettin.
Could be. Maybe he’s lonely.
Absolutely beautiful! Loved that path with the box and the birdhouse. Fabulous garden.xxx
I agree!