Theme gardens.

How many of you have theme gardens (moonlit, lovers, magical, etc.)? What types of gardens do you have? I am interested in starting a moonlit garden so I can sit and watch all of the hummingbird moths in the evening along with all of the other visitors. I am also curious to see what you are putting in these gardens. Let me know. Mick

i have several themes in my main garden-i have a all blue garden in memory of my xhubby(3sons dad)who died suddenly in 99.
i have a evening garden with-night scented stock(my favotite)evening primrose n four oclocks surrounding my cement bench. I have a lite that lites up the garden so i can watch the activity of the hummingbird moth.
I have a peace sign-raised garden(12FT AROUND OR MORE)i try to fill with low growing colors(tyedye effect)-for the hippie in me!
I have a herb garden in here also.
The whole garden is for my MOM's memory-she had a garden she wanted to share with me-i was so stupid(17yrs)i told her i hated flowers. Now look at me go!!!
the name of my garden is "THERE"- because the kids always ask "ARE WE THERE YET" -now we are!
oh yea we have a lil cemetary under the ornamental pear-our finches died!
Under the prickling pear(huge)is a pile of sand for the boys and i hung a rope swing for them.
Thats all i can think of right now!
dori

Mick: The hummingbird moths love the large white datura's, nicotaina alata, the tall blue verbena, four o'clocks, ruby moon hyacinth bean vine, agastache and we get to watch them from the gazebo, which is at one end of the gardens. I like the night gardens along with cottage gardens and herbs.

What exactly is a moonlit garden???? Are you saying there are flowers that open up at night or what? I've never heard of this. AuntyB

Hi AuntyB! I haven't seen you on here for a while. I have seen these gardens and they use the night blooming and night fragrant flowers, but will also use a lot of whites to reflect the light of the moon. I've seen some beautiful ones. Last year I actually got about 5 daturas and 2 4 o'clocks to bloom so am going to actually make an area for this. By the way, I don't think that I ever sent you your dill. If you still want it, email me your address as I have missplaced it. Mick

Hi, In addition to the moon flower, might I recommend hesperis matrolinius(sp) Dames'Rocket- that perfumes the night air, and the evening primrose (oenothera flava) the yellow flowers open at dusk, you can literally see the petals unfold--the leaves look like dandelions (I take more care weeding now!

Dori,

I got a kick out of your garden descriptions. I'm just trying to imagine what you look like right now...

I do gardens that are color-themed.

First there is what is called the "White Garden" which has mostly white plants but also a huge mature apricot 'Lady Hillingdon' rose bush behind a bench and there is light blue lavender lining the narrow paved path. There is also a sparkle of light green/chartreuse coming from Alchemilla mollis and Euphorbia characias wulfenii. The entrance to this garden area is framed by an arch over which two white 'Sombreuil' roses climb. Notable plants include roses (they are the garden specialty), Iris 'Florentina', a kumquat tree, white Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' and mixed white, fragrant Narcissus (Daffodils).

The so-called "Secret Garden" is enclosed by a lattice fence and the main colors are shades of pink, purple-red, white and yellow. Notable plants include the rose 'Constance Spry' taking up one whole wall, 'Madame Isaac Pereire' planted with Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' and Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' taking up the other. Another great plant in this part of the garden is Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'. There are a few herbaceous peonies here and there. The entrance to this garden is an opening in the trellis fence planted with 'Souvenir de la Malmaison Climbing' and 'Glendora'.

The "Main Garden" has a color theme much like the white garden. Apricot and yellow are the predominant colors mixed with a light blue or lavender color and some white. The main attraction is roses (mostly English) and there is a large, mature Lilac in one corner. In another corner is a variant on the common redbud, Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'. White foxgloves and light blue forget-me-nots are allowed to seed around. A really great plant in this area is Geranium 'Philippe Vapelle'.

The next area is essentially a mixed bed with mostly Old Roses in shades of pink, dark pink, dark red-purple and white. The entrance to the "Statue Garden" is through a pergola that is constructed of about 5 vertical beams with a horizontal beam connecting them all. On this pergola grows two light pink 'Awakening' roses over the middle arch. The other arches contain the rambler roses 'Debutante', 'Bleu Magenta', 'May Queen' and 'Rambling Rector'. The arch brings you to a path of grass leading to a statue of Aphrodite surrounded by a metal arbor covered with the white climbing rose 'Madame Alfred Carriere and underplanted with Centranthus ruber, Alchemilla mollis and Chamomile. Large pink Camelias and a mature pink Rhododendron already existed when the house was purchased two years ago. Magnolia soulangeana 'San Jose' was planted in the corner of this garden just a few weeks ago. Hellebores, cyclamen and wood anemones will eventually grow underneath. A very notable feature of this garden area are the three specimens of dark magenta Tree Peony found at an old, abandoned cottage near the house.

The last garden area is the "Side Garden" which has a blue and yellow theme. The long narrow space has a neighbor's false pear as the main feature outside the kitchen window. On the fence are the yellow rambling roses 'Primevere' and Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' and in between is 'Buff Beauty'. The house wall has a young lemon tree against it which will be espaliered. This side of the border is one foot wide and doubles as an herb garden with oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme, etc. The other side is quite shady and is host to Aquilegia, Hosta, Digitalis ferruginea, primroses and other good stuff. The garden entrance is framed with an arbor hosting two yellow 'Graham Thomas' roses growing with Clematis 'General Sikorski'.

Well, that's pretty much the whole garden. It's actually a small lot; there's just a lot in it. Also, it's actually not mine, but belongs to a friend of mine for whom I garden and of course, for whom I arrange trades.

Hope to hear about all your gardens!

Mike

I have ideas for some theme gardens. One not original is the Kitchen Garden. I have a herb garden area that is about the closest to the house for this. I read somewhere that one way to come up with ideas for your garden is to think of things you loved as a child. For this I would like a garden near my huge maple tree with a swing that gives some kind of magical feeling. I also want to do a beach edge type area. I was walking my dogs in such an area near the sound when I got this idea, I figure grasses, driftwood and sand would be a start, any other ideas?

Oh, I just remembered, I do have areas that have themes in a way.. Different grassses planted together, a red garden and a sandy soil lovers area....lavender, santolina and catmint. The last three have all intwined and look amazing.

Hey Charr : How about Joshua Tree for the sandy areas ??? That would be there for generations hundreds of years later to enjoy :) How about heperaloe ?? Different yucca species ?? Dasylirion ?? there are zillions of ideas there !!!! Great to see you @ Dave's , old friend !!! Rock ON !! ;)

Mixes and messes....is that a theme ???

I've seemed to intermix so many things...All winter I've been hunting up Shakespear , MORE FLOWER FAIRIES and their meanings,...making iron and painted wooden 'posts'.

believe I will end up with my beloved chimes,Shakespear,and fairytales one per bed!!! Too much??
Kimdc

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I love that idea of a seed traders garden. I do have a Theme Garden Book and I guess maybe a Grasses Garden or a Sand lovers garden (couldn't, can't? spell Mediterrianian and can't find it in the Dictionary but that is what I meant to say), I did see Theme's meaning: -A subject or Topic, so maybe you would not say a Red Garden but a Monochromatic Garden featuring Red. I think I will make a Spazz Garden!

I like the idea of a trader's garden. My problem would be that most of my garden is from trades. I have traded for 3 years, this will be my fourth. I had over 300 different seeds (some just diff. color, but many diff. kinds also). I think we are going to do a fairy garden. My mom has been drawing fairies for us to cut on the laser at work and I can't wait. I have my herbs spread everywhere in my garden. The year before last I even had my tomatoes and peppers in with my flowers. I wanted to do a black and white garden last year and may actually do it because I have found many more black flowers lately.