So another garden we saw at the Denver Fling was that of Mary and Larry Scripter. Actually it was in Niwot, a few miles from Boulder.
While the garden is marvelous, it’s the view of distant mountains that is the most striking feature of this property.
Closer to the house there are all kinds of xeric grasses and flowering plants, like these Yucca. This is a Yucca, right? I can never keep my succulents straight.
Pea gravel, a lot of it, was used both for hardscaping and for mulching between perennials.
Though the garden was mostly in full sun, there were some nice shady spots. I like this bird bath.
A lovely clump of Golden Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) at the base of a tree.
Hay fields swaying in the breeze in the shadow of distant mountains.
Here’s a view of the garden and the wonderful back porch.
The view from the porch. I would love to sit on that bench at dusk.
Some of the plants that you could see blooming at the time of our visit: Iris, Sanguisorba, Achillea, and Poppies.
Oh, and Alliums.
Just could not get enough of that view.
One thing we are really missing around Chicago is mountains. It seems to me that if they can transport water to places like Arizona to fuel massive population growth, they ought to be able to shift some mountains over to the Midwest for our viewing pleasure. Seems only fair.
gardeninacity 
WOW! So amazing. Such great open and airy beds. Almost like they are wildflowers growing in a meadow. Thanks for sharing!
I think that is the effect they were working towards.
I’d live in a hovel to have a view like that. Well, as long as I had internet. I’d be willing to cut wood and haul water. That is yucca that you spotted. The flowers are edible. They’re probably a bit of an acquired taste, as they can be a little astringent, but a few in a salad can be very nice.
Juvenile floral stalks are edible too, but deprive the plant of bloom. We used to eat them like humongous asparagus in college. The species where I went to school produced the biggest flower stalk. We sliced i up like patties and peeled the outside off. It was not very good, but the price was right.
That does seem only fair, Jason. And I enjoyed your post and Judy’s pics of this lovely garden and its views too.
Thanks, and I’m glad you agreed it’s fair!
Liking your reasoning!
Logic is my specialty.
I agree, what a view! The mountains are beautiful, and the garden gives a feeling of wide open spaces, with interesting plants in between. Lovely!
Yes, it has the feeling of a mountain meadow.
Wonderful photos! Having grown up in the Chicago area, I understand the yearning for hills.
Just seems like we haven’t gotten our share.
I agree with you about the view and most of all moving mountains to the midwest. 🙂
It’s just a breathtaking view. Makes me feel deprived.
Great post and such great views! I just wrote a post of my own about South Dakota and I asked the same question about moving those mountains closer to us!
I’ll look for your South Dakota post – both Judy and I have family roots there.
I posted it a few days ago- I’d love to hear what you think! What part of the state are your roots in?
Splendid garden. Fits in seamlessly with its surroundings.
Absolutely.
Gosh – those views and vignettes are very alluring.
As the song says, “purple mountain majesties.”
That’s a beautiful place!
Agreed.
The photos are beautiful Jason. Thanks for the tour!
You’re welcome!
Garden + view = perfect.
Well said.
That was a stunning view, for sure! I can imagine having a long coffee and staring dreamily out across that vista for hours. And the plants were incredible, too!
Yes, the plantings really seemed well chosen for the site, and I could definitely waste hours on that bench or the porch.
Fabulous photos!
Thanks! Judy’s handiwork, naturally.
I guess so!
For mountains we have “Mt. Dumpmore” steadily growing here in Grayslake. Actually, parts of it are sealed now and they’ve planted trees on it. Perhaps one day it will be lovely.
And we have Mt. Trashmore in Evanston, which some of the more adventurous souls use for sledding in winter.
Really? That’s fun. I don’t think the public can get near Mt. Dumpmore, as most of it is still in operation. Stinks, too, even though supposedly they are capturing natural gas from it which was supposed to prevent bad smells.
I was in Denver – well, Louisville to be more precise – on business one time. The front of the hotel faced east, which looked pretty flat. But the view to the north was like a picture postcard. However, I am a flatlander and I like trees, so the Denver climate did not appeal to me despite the beauty. Oh, and there was a dust storm while I was there. No thanks!
Denver is a bit dry compared to Illinois, but I just might be able to get used to it.
It was a delightful garden and the view was incredible…
It certainly was.
Oh my….those mountains!!! Sighs. Loved the old cart too.xxx
The mountains are really inspiring.
That is an amazing view from the house. I love the way the garden seems to become part of the landscape too, with just a hint of cultivated lawn in between. Very pretty planting.
The hay field is actually owned and cultivated by a neighbor, but it makes such a perfect transition after the garden and the band of mowed grass, and before the mountains.
The garden is beautiful, but the view of the mountains in the background is breathtaking. You could never tire of just staring out at them. I’m very envious as we are in an area of forested rolling hills, which means your view of just about anything is blocked by trees or the roll of the next hill!
At least you have hills. We hardly have any of those.
Yucca glauca. I believe that is what species that is. It has the most extensive natural range of all species of Yucca, and happens to be native to the region. I believe that it is the only Yucca that is endemic to Alberta.
Thanks for the ID! I am really shamefully ignorant on succulents.
It is not something that everyone needs to know, especially in climates where only a few species would do well. I happen to like yuccas. I can grow all of them here (and did), and some are native nearby.