A Garden Bed Through the Seasons

 Harriet’s Fence Garden

We visited Harriet Johnson’s Maine garden last week, but we only focused on what she had planted in what used to be an in-ground pool. She mentioned to me that she had other garden spaces, so I asked if she would let me see them too… She happily agreed, and today we’re visiting what she calls her fence garden:

These photos of the fence garden were taken from 2021 to 2023. There are some things I didn’t re-photograph this year, while other things were great in previous years. While the pool garden that was filled in (sandy loam) did well last rainy season, the fence garden wasn’t so happy in my native clay loam soil, and I lost some yarrow that I had grown without any problems for 30 years. This border is about 40’ long and faces south. Because of its size, I am able to grow some of the taller North American natives that bloom in late summer. Since this garden can be viewed as a single element, unlike the experience of being immersed in a pool garden, I can design the colors over and over again. The fence encloses the back yard, including the pool garden, raised vegetable and iris beds, and a small shaded area. The fence is important to the design of the area, providing a western boundary to the fields beyond and the distant hills and mountains.

Color begins in the pool garden in mid-May with tulips (Tulipa hybrids, zones 3 - 8) and daffodils (Narcissus hybrids, zones 3 - 8) for a mix of yellow and red. An old forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia, zones 5 - 8) matches the yellow daffodils. The photo was taken from the pool garden, a slightly elevated area located on level ground.

In late May or early June, lilacs (Syringa species and hybrids, zones 3 - 8) bloom behind the fence, a hedge of six old Syringa vulgaris cultivars (only three are shown in the photo). In another island bed, there are three types of lilacs, early, mid and late bloomers. After flowering, I deadhead the hedge lilacs so that they do not distract from the flowers of the border as the season progresses.

The peak of June blooms when viewed from the top of the border. Larch (Larix sp., zones 2 - 7) was originally planted as an extension over the garden, and then the Warburton iris collection was planted above it, increasing the length to all usable space before the gate. The rhythm in the long picture is provided by yellow yarrow 'Moonshine' (Achillea 'Moonshine', zones 3 - 8), mostly unknown peony cultivars, and Stachys byzantina (lamb's ears, zones 4 - 8).

Still in peak June bloom, look closer in the lower corner. Here is a blue Veronica (Veronica sp.and cvs. Zones 4–8) contrasted with a 'Mighty Moe' (Paeonia 'Mighty Moe', zones 3 – 8) peony. Yellow yarrow 'Moonshine' contrasted with a purple Salvia 'May Night' (zones 4 – 9). I don't know the name of the pale pink peony.

A rose bloomed on the fence in late June or early July. I think it was an American pillar rose; it was given to me as a layering with the name 'Pillar Rose'. Purple clump of Campanula glomerata (zones 3 – 8). It’s beautiful, but I had to cut it down a lot because I wanted to capture the whole garden in this photo. It’s a challenge when it spreads into other perennials. On the right near the fence is Siberian catmint (Nepeta sibirica, zones 3 – 8).

From another angle (another year) This early July view features Nepeta sibirica (Siberian catmint) on the left, Hylotelephium ‘Frosty Marn’ (yellow yarrow) on either side, Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (yellow yarrow) (yellow yarrow) (yellow yarrow) (yellow yarrow) and an unknown Erigeron on the right. Catmint is in bloom in most areas, though not in July and August. This border is a small showpiece in late July, while the nearby swimming pool garden bursts with color.