Hello, GPOD community!
Steve’s Gardening Adventure
Earlier this year, I embarked on an intriguing project called “GPOD Vignettes,” showcasing a series of brief submissions accompanied by one or two stunning photos.
The journey kicked off in June with a breathtaking shot of the ‘Lemon Zest’ hydrangea, submitted anonymously by a talented gardener.
Recently, I was thrilled to reconnect with this contributor, who has since revealed himself as Steve Schmidt from Atlanta, Georgia.
He generously provided a collection of images capturing the beauty of his garden.
Steve’s gardening adventure is shaped by the realities of climate change and the growing trend towards native plants.
His garden, spanning a quarter of an acre, sits beside a stream’s floodplain at the back of his property.
Navigating the steep incline to reach his home requires climbing 27 steps.
The front yard, facing south, bakes in a dry and hot climate, while a shaded public sidewalk runs alongside it.
In contrast, the backyard is predominantly shaded by towering trees—except for a small triangle of sunlight in the northeast corner.
When Steve first moved in, he battled an infestation of invasive species, such as kudzu, privet, ivy, and cherry laurel.
Progress and Plant Selection
Over time, Steve has made significant progress in managing these invasive plants.
While he still encounters ivy on the slope and kudzu threatening the stream’s edge, he is dedicated to fostering a garden with year-round appeal.
His botanical choices lean towards berry-producing plants for the fall and native azaleas to delight in spring, and he’s pondering options for winter blooms as well.
He acknowledges the summer’s humidity poses challenges, with pesky gnats and mosquitoes added to the mix, yet the shade offers welcome relief.
Initially, his planting philosophy revolved around personal favorites, but he’s now transitioning to a more native-centric approach, complemented by selective non-natives.
With his pathways established, Steve is now focused on planting shrubs that carve out defined corridors and cozy garden rooms.
In front, he aims to dazzle passersby with vibrant potted plants from spring through autumn.
As summer fades, Steve’s backyard is starting to provide sustenance for local wildlife.
The standout berry-producing shrubs include Winterberries ‘Winter Gold’ and ‘Winter Red.’ He’s also nurturing an unexpected strawberry bush that has popped up, choosing to give all newcomers a chance to prove their worth in his garden.
For the first time this year, he noticed that the seeds from his ‘Shoal Creek’ chaste tree have begun attracting cardinals.
Preparation for the Seasons
Meanwhile, in the front yard, Steve is nearly finished transitioning his tropical plants—once cherished in South Florida—to their cozy indoor winter quarters.
As temperatures begin to dip into the 30s, he’s also taking cuttings from his annuals to preserve and regenerate next season.
His photographs feature the annuals at their height, showcasing their recent growth.
Some highlights from his front potted displays include a ‘King of Siam’ croton, ‘Kingswood Torch’ coleus, heuchera, East Indian holly fern, and creeping Jenny.
In another arrangement, he combines a begonia, ‘El Brighto’ coleus, ‘Mrs. Iceton’ croton, and ‘Citronelle’ heuchera.
Despite the summer’s dense shade reducing the vibrancy of the heuchera and coleus, smaller pots with cuttings sit at the base, ready for future planting in the backyard.
Additionally, a larger Colombian petunia from Florida needs to winter indoors, impacting its blooming schedule.
The entryway is alive with color, with pots flanking either side.
The east side boasts a more vibrant collection, while the west side is home to three blueberry bushes awaiting relocation to the back.
The steep driveway—too inclined for parking—hosts pots that visually mask the basement.
Here, an oakleaf hydrangea changes hues, alongside a burgundy viburnum and ‘Popcorn’ viburnum.
The display is further enriched by euphorbia, salvia, and coleus.
Moving along the driveway, you’ll stumble upon a delightful assortment—seagrapes, double impatience, coleus ‘Kingswood Torch,’ variegated schefflera, coleus ‘Flamethrower Chili Pepper,’ and an unnamed croton.
Steve’s garden isn’t just a labor of love for plants; it also serves as a haven for diverse wildlife.
The sunny front yard is a favorite spot for Carolina anoles, while the shaded, moister areas attract various salamanders, along with the usual ensemble of birds, small mammals, and snakes.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Steve for sharing his insights as summer comes to a close, offering a peek into his splendid garden.
It’s been a joy to learn about his gardening endeavors, and I eagerly anticipate more updates from him in the future.
And a gentle reminder to our community: submissions for Garden Photo of the Day are welcome from gardeners of all experience levels.
While the guidelines suggest 5-10 photos, I’m open to fewer images for future compilations.
Whether you wish to share just one stunning photo or a collection, I encourage you to reach out.
DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN TO SHARE? We would love to see your garden or a beautiful collection of plants that inspire you, whether from your personal haven or a remarkable garden you’ve visited!
Source: Finegardening