shade plants

Inspiration from our Neighbors: 7 Great Garden Ideas from the Edmonds Garden Tour

Inspiration from our Neighbors: 7 Great Garden Ideas from the Edmonds Garden Tour

I had the pleasure of attending the Edmonds Garden Tour this month and I came away filled with inspiration and excited to try out some new ideas in my garden. It may seem like “tour-worthy” gardens are unattainable, but the garden tour taught me that incorporating the fundamentals of good design and adding a dash of personality can really bring your garden to a new level. Here are seven of my favorite ideas from the tour.

Here are some of my favorite ideas that you can adapt to your own gardens. Enjoy!

Erythronium: The Magical Woodland Fawn Lily

Erythronium: The Magical Woodland Fawn Lily

Erythronium species (also called Fawn Lily, Trout Lily or Dogtoothed Violet) epitomize the hidden wonders of the woodland garden. These spring-blooming perennials can spread to form low-growing colonies of delicate flowers that look beautiful from afar but really demand to be studied up close so as to admire their mottled leaves and intricate floral details. They really are magical!

Plants for Dry Shade

Plants for Dry Shade

Way up here in the land of tall conifers, dry shade is a common gardening challenge. I’ve had success with the following plants in the shade of conifers, and they also work well in deciduous woodlands or in the dry rain shadow of north-facing buildings and garden walls. As with any new plantings, they will require summer water for several dry seasons until they have established a root system capable of competing with existing tree roots.

Hardy Fuchsias for Summer and Fall Blooms

Hardy Fuchsias for Summer and Fall Blooms

When planting for late-summer blooms, look no further than the hardy Fuchsia. For those with mixed garden conditions - some sun, some shade, some of everything in between - hardy Fuchsias are excellent for providing a continual source of color from late June until the first frosts of late October and November.