Three months ago we got to
tour John’s amazing garden at John’s Garden June 2. His goal this season was to
transform it into different climate zones from desert to tropical to temperate.
Not only are there a lot
of noticeable changes in three months of growing, but also the subtle changes John
has made to create his ideal garden of differing zones. The purple plant to the left, Penstemon
pinifolius, barely visible in my first visit is now full of pink blooms.
The front portion along
the steps is a desert zone as you can see by this Opuntia subarmata or prickly
pear cactus, which has gained a lot of height over the season.
This agave surrounded by a
succulent and echeveria next to it adds to this desert zone.
Agave and succulent
Echeveria
This area of the front
yard was overgrown at the beginning of the season. John cleared some of it out, but it still looks lush.
John loves different
textures of leaves and my eye is drawn to two interesting specimens. This Berberis
thunbergii ‘Helmond Pillar’ adds height, color and texture.
This Euthiopian acanthus
semnii makes a statement with its ruffled and spiky
foliage, producing a red spike flower in summer and fall.
This giant pot was empty
at the beginning of the season and is now a focus as a water feature complete
with a lotus plant.
This red hibiscus hints at the tropical zone to come.
This eucomis or pineapple
lily is beginning to fade, but I love it’s color and size. I think this might
be similar to the ‘Toffee’ colored one we saw at Cistus Nursery Part II.
Bordering the backyard the broad leaves of the nicotiana (bottom) with a loquat’s evergreen leaves (above) from the backyard contributes to a visual tropical texture.
John has a keen ability to combine foliage to create a look and feel of the zones he wants represented in his garden. Next time will continue to
tour John’s garden with the explosion of plants in is his backyard!
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