Hi GPODers!
We’re back in Julie Prince’s gorgeous garden in Albany, Georgia (check out Part 1 if you missed it). Here’s a refresher on what Julie said about her garden and its growing conditions this year:
We endured quite a hot, dry summer this year and are still very dry. The Limelight hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Zones 4–8) dropped all leaves during the week that the daily heat index ranged from 108° to 112° despite daily watering. The leaves of many perennials scorched. Needless to say, we are enjoying some cooler weather even though it’s still warmer than normal for mid November.
Warm weather in the late season means that Julie doesn’t have tons of the classic fall foliage colors in her beds, even after most leaves have completely fallen in northern gardens. However, that doesn’t mean her garden lacks foliage interest. Colorful crotons bring a more tropical foliage punch, while an array of green plants bring in all kinds of cool textures and forms.
Another view of this bed reveals a second, glowing croton and gives a better look at the two-toned boat lilies (Tradescantia spathacea, Zones 9-11 or as an annual) in the foreground.
These small red dahlia are a real treat, but adding these rusty metal frogs to the scene makes the spot so much more whimsical and fun.
Another curly croton in a pot is the connecting plant that ties together bright yellow marigolds and deep purple (almost black) sweet potato vine.
I featured a couple of photos of this variegated blue trumpet vine (Thunbergia grandiflora ‘Variegata’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual) yesterday, and I couldn’t resist sharing one more. Julie let me know that this plant has now gone limp and black after a few nights of freezing temperatures. A whole load of mess to clean up, but its beauty in the peak season looks to be worth it!
Another sensational climber in Julie’s garden is this white moonflower (Ipomoea alba, Zones 10–12 or as an annual). These glowing white blooms emerge at dusk, giving you a reason to linger in the garden even when the nighttime temperatures start to plunge.
A close up of those moonflower blooms reveals the subtle yellow-green start that creates more dimension and adds to its “glowing” effect.
In the foliage bed photos above, we saw a tiny glimpse of this incredible tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Zones 9–11), but thankfully Julie also provided us this a great close-up view. It’s contrasted so well with more of those bold boat lilies.
Yesterday we saw some close ups of this garden bed, focusing in on specific plant pairings and combinations, but today we get a look at the bigger picture. There are so many lovely plants to admire, but I’m equally drawn to the stunning orange boulder that rests in the center. A few years back I visited Providence Canyon, which is just a little over an hour away from the town of Albany that Julie’s garden can be found in. Dubbed ‘Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon’ it’s an incredible natural landmark, as well as a prime spot to view the orange, red and purple soil and rock that can be found in this area. What a fabulous piece of nature to have in your garden, Julie!
As beautiful at night as it is during the day!
Thank you so much for sharing your spectacular garden with us again, Julie! It’s incredible to see your garden get better and better with each passing year.
And how has your garden fared this year? Good and bad, we love to see what has thrived and failed in your garden. Follow the directions below to submit your photos to be featured on GPOD.
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