Silvia’s Garden in Pittsburgh

From grassy lot to lush, tranquil garden oasis with peaceful ponds and paths that lead you through rooms of enchanting plants

Happy Monday GPODers !

We ’re starting the week off in Pennsylvania , visiting Silvia Speyer ’s lush garden full of flowers and an array of fantastic foliage .

My 1/4 acre garden is situate in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . I have transform the property in 54 year from a grassy lot into a tranquil haven . Garden rooms , pool and unusual tree and perennial append interest .

Paths force the visitant into the garden and run you from one garden elbow room into another . A minuscule bridge circuit over a pool next to the deck , steers you into the main garden where an 80 ft . dawn redwood tree(Metasequoia glyptostroboides , Zones 5–10 ) , surrounded by Frances Williams hosta(Hosta‘Frances Williams ’ , Zones 5–10),is the star .

I never dreamed that my garden , after prod up every inch , would become such a refuge of peace and beauty .

Some of the plants that add up interest : Acanthus , whose steeple of blooms are majestic and awe everybody . Blue Wave hydrangeas(Hydrangea macrophylla‘Mariesii Perfecta ’ , geographical zone 5–9),with their ocean of risque blossoms all summertime long , are a real show stopper . Golden Hakone grass(Hakonechloamacra , zone 5–9)leads you along the paths . Masses of Gold Heart dicentra(Dicentraspectabilis‘Gold Heart ’ , zone 3–9)are upbeat and completely deer insubordinate . Roses , a great multifariousness of ferns , day lilies and peony are greeting the visitor with their astonishing lulu . Magnolias , Nipponese maples , various tall evergreens , a huge crepe myrtle(Lagerstroemiaindica , Zones 3–9 ) and Nipponese snowbell ( Styraxjaponicus , Zones 5–9)as well as grim roses of Sharon(Hibiscussyriacus , Zones 5–9)give the garden a ruined look .

My garden is incredibly profuse . In the line of 1/2 C , I added at least one foot of enriched stain , as a result , weed are very uncommon and the plants are thriving .

Many garden lodge have been visiting my garden .

It has been register in the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute .

“ Incredibly lush ” is the accurate path to describe Silvia ’s garden of treasures . A beautiful mix of hostas , fern , and what attend like a genus Ligularia on the right-hand bringing in a sour , dark note .

But there is still sight of room for color and sport . Ruby Spider daylilies ( Hemerocallis‘Ruby Spider ’ , Zones 5–9 ) mingles nicely with the drab rose of Sharon , while a far-out chicken statue stand guard .

you could also see the clear-cut “ rooms ” that Silvia mention , with each space cause a distinct and different feel . While this by all odds retains that woodland garden feel , it is much more light - and - hopeful than the Helen Wills Moody setting around the pocket-size pool above . Large camas ( Camassialeichtlinii , Zones 5–9 ) explode in spire of light blue blossom that contrast with the massive pink peony blooms behind .

We ’re back in a more moody stage setting , with pops of silver brunnera andJapanese paint fern(Athyrium niponicumvar.pictum , Zones 5–8 ) lighting up the border . In the remaining quoin we get a glimpse of the unbelievable dawn sequoia tree flanked by fabulous ‘ Frances Williams ’ Funka .

Though each “ room ” is clear-cut , I love that almost none of Silvia ’s plantings are . planting entanglement around each other , grow near and sometimes through other plants — like one of the ferns have done in this unbelievable Blue Wave hydrangea .

By the expression of their size and the bass veins on their leaves , I ’m guess the beauties on the rightfield are ‘ Empress Wu ’ hostas ( Hosta‘Empress Wu ’ , Zones 3–9 ) . Their tall habit and monolithic leaves ( that grow up to 1 1/2 feet wide and prospicient ) are really creating some tone for the vibrant Nipponese Hakone grass to thrive under .

Another little garden pond get a magical dusting of diminutive pink flowers .

To me , pink and green are always a winning combining . This undimmed pink azalea is absolutely glowing in front of a sea of green .

And finally , even more track leading on to what feels like interminable garden treasures . A lovely dogwood tree and mere bird bath wave you to pick your poisonous substance and opt a way to succeed . Me ? I ’d circle these paths several time over to see all the wonder Silvia has in store .

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous garden with us , Silvia ! Your over 50 years of hard work on this garden is absolutely apparent , and I go for we get to see more in the future .

Have photos to partake ? We ’d love to see your garden , a particular collection of plants you get it on , or a howling garden you had the opportunity to visit !

To submit , institutionalize 5 - 10 photos to[email protected]along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos . We ’d make love to see where you are site , how long you ’ve been garden , success you are proud of , failure you learned from , hope for the future , favorite plants , or funny account from your garden .

Have a mobile phone ? Tag your photos onFacebook , InstagramorTwitterwith # FineGardening !

walkway with large hostas

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