With a strong structural foundation supporting a seasonal parade of blooms, the show can go on for months
Our home , Tigara , is an Arts and Crafts bungalow that was construct in 1913 and overlooks the Salish Sea in British Columbia . When we bought the property in 1991 , the yard was mostly bare . There were a few massive and ancient trees and some scraggly shrubs scattered here and there . The rest was just dry smoke and weed . But to us , it was paradise ! As we transformed the holding over the years , the bottom and borders really jump to radiate in spring . From February to June , a succession of constant rosiness now delights us as we enjoy the garden from our front porch , summertime menage , and various garden rooms . Spring is definitely when the garden is at its peak , although textured structural plants and hardscaping ensure there ’s interest throughout the year .
The garden at a glance
Location : Victoria , British Columbia
Size:3/4 acreZone:9
Conditions : Full sun to full shade ; loamy , hummus - rich , well - drain soil
Challenges : Proximity to sea ; wind and saltiness spray
Key
1.Montery cypress mete
2.Summer star sign
3.Front porch
4.Stone paseo
5.Stone pillars
6.Patio
7.Main house
8.Garage
Illustration : Elara Tanguy
Provide a framework of evergreens
Evergreens wreak several roles in our garden . They are the structural backbone year - round ( especially during winter ) . Many of them serve as focal points in spring because that is when many of them bloom . And when they ’re not in bloom , evergreens are the double-dyed monochromatic background against which later plants can smoothen . A massive course of Monterey cypress ( Hesperocyparis macrocarpa , Zones 7–11 ) trees that border the southerly side of our belongings var. the backdrop to the respite of the garden . They allow privacy from a nearby lane as well as nicety for rhododendrons ( Rhododendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) and other spring stars , such as ‘ Jack Frost ’ brunnera ( Brunnera‘Jack Frost ’ , Zones 3–8 ) , that are plant underneath . Elsewhere , a large native shoring pine ( Pinus contorta , Zones 4–9 ) anchors the edge of our lawn and surrounding beds . Because our property consists of just three - quarters of an Akko , the privacy supply by evergreen plant and other morphologic plants , such as various Nipponese maple ( Acer palmatumcvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , is crucial to to the full enjoying the garden .
A diverse categorization of rhododendrons rise around the property . We ’ve collected them from all over . Many have come from supporter , from flora swaps , or from properties of houses awaiting demolition . Some were acquired from members of the Victoria Rhododendron Society , and some were from the amazing collecting of Norman Todd , who was a caption in the rhododendron world . We also have a few rare ace grown from tissue paper cultures import from the rhododendron - medical specialist company Van Veen Nursery in Portland , Oregon . Most of our rhododendrons flower sometime in spring , although some bloom in wintertime and some in summer . But even when the rhododendrons have finished blooming , they are still the morphological anchorperson to our garden , giving spook to the woodland plant that grow beneath them . Additional evergreen perennial and shrubs are the structural backcloth to spring flowers in the beds and borders throughout the property . For example , a variegate yucca ( Yuccacv . , Zones 5–10 ) stands tall next to a rosemary ( Salvia rosmarinus , Zones 7–10 ) against our menage , allowing the rosemary ’s small flowers to get more care .
Stretch the season with a a succession of blooms
Our spring show get down in late wintertime and lasts all the manner until summer . A few of our works , such as Corsican hellebore and ‘ Christmas Cheer ’ rhododendron ( R.‘Christmas Cheer ’ , Zones 3–9 ) , begin blooming in wintertime . They are follow by Chamaedaphne calyculata viburnum and other midspring bloomers . The transition to summer is placid with plants such as New Zealand satin prime ( Libertia grandiflora , Zones 8–10 ) and saw - toothed azara ( Azara serrata , Zones 8–10 ) , both of which start flowering in midspring and last to the get-go of summertime . The fragrant flowers of wisteria ( Wisteriacv . , Zones 5–8 ) above our pergola also burst out in late spring and are espouse by the blooms of a climbing rose as summer approaches .
In our garden , it feels like leap for about five months . Part of the reason for this is that we dwell in an sphere with mild winters and balmy summer . Our neighborhood itself also seems to be in a microclimate ; in township it ’s usually a few degrees cooler . Even so , a natural succession of blush from flora to plant prolongs the already long - live effect of springiness and broaden the season over several months , from tardy winter all the way to early summertime .
Use hardscaping to make the garden come alive
The garden was n’t always so effortlessly beautiful . Serious foundational changes require to be made to transform this property into a livable space . In addition to removing a prospicient private road that encircle the house , we sum up granite - pulley and gravel paths through the garden that add up social organization year - round . These paths also make the relatively small outer space seem larger , especially because many of them seem to wind through the beds rather than go straight from point in time A to point B. We added trellises , bower , and fences to delineate bed , and we installed benches for visitors to well take account smaller orbit of the garden . The front porch was cut across in a pergola draped in climbing plant life . It has become an immersive garden room that serves as an understructure to incorporated plant . All of the lighting in the garden is from our vintage lighting and metalworking business , Waterglass Studios , and thus has a cohesive design and add together to the heritage notion of the property . It appropriate us to enjoy the garden even after obscure , regardless of the season .
The star of our garden is our summer household , which was originally lie in neglected and derelict on a nearby estate . The property owner need it gone , so we gayly paid $ 30 for it and the work began . Patrick and our daughter Aleisha take it aside piece of music by piece and rebuild it in our garden . It is now nuzzle under the Monterey cypress trees , and all of our gather and upshot fall out there . It has become a central part of the garden and of our enjoyment of it in spring , summer , tumble , and even winter .
Between the morphologic evergreens and foundational hardscaping , the bones of the garden can stand on their own disregarding of season . Although our garden peaks in spring , we rightfully enjoy it all year long .
Spring interest from winter to summer
A paseo curves through this garden bed under a Monterey cypress tree tree . The plants here exercise together to provide interest group from the beginning of spring to the end .
1 . A gnome Japanese maple(Acer palmatumcv . , Zones 5–8 ) supply year - round complex body part . Its burgundy foliage contrasts with the pastel colors of saltation - flower blossom .
2 . ‘ Sissinghurst White ’ lungwort(Pulmonaria‘Sissinghurst White ’ , Zones 4–8 ) edge the front of the bottom and is one of the first plants to flower in outflow .
3.‘Jack Frost ’ brunnerafollows later with a profusion of tiny low-spirited flowers that bloom for month .
4 . Nipponese iris(Iris ensata , Zones 4–9 ) visually break up the belt of depleted - planted perennial . It fills the gap between spring and summer with coloured blossoms .
5 . ‘ All atomic number 79 ’ Japanese forest grass(Hakonechloa macra‘All Gold ’ , Zones 5–9 ) provide interest all season long with its chartreuse leaf .
Flowers grab your attention, but a structural framework keeps it.A backdrop of evergreens such as this ‘Golden Gate’ rhododendron hold interest year-round, especially when they blossom in spring. Hardscaping continues to support the design when the flowers fade.
6.The little size of‘Golden Gate ’ rhododendron(Rhododendron‘Golden Gate ’ , geographical zone 6–9 ) is sodding for this compact space . Its multicolored pink - and - orange flowers make it the focal point of this layer in spring .
British Columbians Patrick and Suzanne Bulmer are lifelong gardeners .
Photos : DoreenWynja.com
Illustration: Elara Tanguy
Fine Gardening recommend Products
Corona E - Grip Trowel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for point purchase through links on this situation , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
This is one of the best places to enjoy the garden year-round. An oak bench, salvaged from a train station, is surrounded by leatherleaf viburnum and several rhododendrons. Their arching branches and evergreen leaves make this shady nook interesting even in winter.
The Crevice Garden : How to make the staring home for plants from rocky places
Buffalo - Style Gardens : Create a Quirky , One - of - a - Kind Private Garden with Eye - Catching Designs
Get our late tip , how - to articles , and instructional picture sent to your inbox .
Evergreen perennials structure smaller beds.Rosemary, thyme (Thymuscv., Zones 4–9), and a variegated yucca border the side of the house and maintain their textured forms all year.
sign you up …
Related Articles
A Woodland Garden That Takes Inspiration from Nature
How to Build a Garden Sanctuary With an Ecological Pond
How to Build a Better Backyard Retreat
27 Better Ground Covers for Shade to Replace Problematic Plants
link Fine horticulture for a free engage live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant life pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals expert manager …
When I spotted a particular Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I be intimate I was in trouble . With a delicious color radiation pattern …
When we only prioritise plants we need over plant our landscape needs , each time of year is filled with a never - ending listing of chores : pruning , pilfer , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
A pergola covered in climbers steals the scene.The front porch is more of a garden room. Covered by a wooden pergola and surrounded by stonework, it acts as a structural focal point of this property. It provides the perfect frame for spring-blooming wisteria and, later, a summer-blooming ‘Kiftsgate’ rose (Rosa filipes‘Kiftsgate’, Zones 6–9).
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden fashion designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional depicted object , plus the respite of the phallus - only content library .
startle Free Trial
A shower of bloom from spring to summer.In the middle of spring, ‘Koichiro Wada’ Yakushima rhododendron (Rhododendron yakushimanumsubsp.yakushimanum‘Koichiro Wada’, Zones 5–8) and an overarching shore pine burst into bloom. They are soon followed by saw-toothed azara and New Zealand satin flower, which bloom from the end of spring into summer.
Get thoroughgoing site approach to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print magazine .
pop your FREE trial
Already a member?sign in
Structural focal points and outbuildings provide year-round interest.A refurbished summer house (above) along with a wooden arbor and decorative lighting (below) add structure to nearby beds and borders in all four seasons.
