Do you know about the Garden Conservancy ? Founded in 1989 by Fran Cabot, it’s mission is to preserve and protect America’s exceptional gardens and it does so by partnering both public and private organizations to fund and maintain some of the breathtaking landscaped that have been created here in the states.
Every year since 1995 the Garden Conservancy has a multi- state season long event called Open Days in which private homeowners throw open the garden gates to let visitors come in and being enthralled and inspired by the works of art that grow in their backyards. Wil and I have been attending the local offerings the past few years and I have taken away so much information and inspiration , often from the gardeners themselves who many times will be on hand to share their stories and knowledge.
Last summer in the early part of the spring two of the gardens we visited we across the street form one another and they were both stunning. The first looked as though it had been well loved but over time had begun to get overrun by exuberant plants and ground covers. Still, it had two standouts, numerous magnolia species and the woodland peonies ( peonea japonoca and p. obovata)that were planted underneath them Both of the aforementioned woodland peonies have funky seedpods that will split open and send the seed across the garden. Over time this garden had amassed quite the number and it was incredible to walk through their blooms under the canopy of colorful magnolias
Immediately my brain started working overtime trying to figure out how I could replicate this look . As you are probably aware there is no woodland per se here, and we have struggled mightily to get our trees to fill out because of consecutive ice and freakishly early snow storms in recent years. But, under one recovering maple, the shady ground is actually bare. I had originally planted some creeping euonymous and when the rabbits came to town, they were eaten down to absolute stubs. I valiantly tried to cage and cover them, to no avail, every leaf they put out was gone by the next day. I tried epimediums and they made it until all of the euonymous was gone, then they too became lunch. Same with huecheras ,astrantias, hostas and pretty much anything else I tried. It is one tough location given that it abuts the neighbors yard where the bunnies live under the shed and then hop over here undetected to eat. So it is under that maple that I planted three woodland peony plants last summer ( one p. obovata ,two p. japonica) hoped for the best.
Why only three you ask? Well, these are pretty pricey plants and not readily available for purchase in these parts so add in shipping costs and they make very expensive rabbit chow. I thought given that herbaceous peonies are one of the few plants never browsed here I would plant them and cross my fingers .
Well, so far , so GREAT! ! Not only did they make the winter untouched but one of the teeny tiny plants that arrived last year was sent with it’s seed-head atached ( thank you Plant Delights Nursery!) and a new seedling has already emerged. Next up, more magnolias!!
Click on the link above and check out the Garden Conservancy’s webpage and Open Days events. For a mere $50.oo you can join and support this great organization and once you have you will be sent the Open Days Directory filled with open dates and times (and directions )to gardens all over the US from March to September. Then get in you car , and go get inspired.