When Janice moved to a new garden in Clyde, North Carolina, she saw an opportunity to start fresh. In just a few years, she has begun transforming the property into a colorful, fragrant space filled with favorite plants, new lessons, and plenty of personality. Janice says:
We have been living here in Zone 7 for almost three years. Before moving here, we were in Zone 8, so it is very different. I have had to adjust my thinking about timing and what will do well here. This place had nothing but grassy areas and a green lawn when we arrived. I love flowers, trees, and shrubbery in my gardens. I also love veggie gardening, so all those things are what my gardens reflect. Zone 7 is much more forgiving than Zone 8—we love it here. I have been gardening for many years and have enjoyed the new challenges and starting anew with a new space. I have started over with my rose gardens and the trials and tribulations of that. However, this year, I am seeing and enjoying the many scents of my new roses.
Entrance to our home: These are Sunjoy Neo Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii Sunjoy Neo® Barberry, Zones 5–8). I love the contrast of the red with all the green grass.
This is coming into our driveway. There are several large boulders that were here when we bought the place. I love the texture that the boulders provide, so I wanted to highlight that area with the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum, Zones 5–9) in the large planter that we brought with us.
Walkway with butterfly bushes (Buddleja cvs., Zones 5–9): Filling up the grassy lawn was a priority; I love butterfly bushes and their beautiful scent as you walk along the path. There are Black Knight butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’, Zones 5–9) and a few ‘Miss Molly’ butterfly bushes (Buddleja hybrid, Zones 5–9).
Petunias (Petunia cvs., annual) and Foo Dog (or Fu Dog) statue. I had to bring our Foo Dog along. He protects the home!
Walkway with hostas: I wanted to make the walkway (which had been bare) much more welcoming. The common milkweed plants (Asclepias syriaca, Zones 3–9) were a pleasant surprise the first spring we spent here. I didn’t plant them, but have enjoyed their lovely scent and the butterflies that visit.
Million Bells calibrachoa (Calibrachoa Million Bells®, annual) with fountain: I love having water features whenever I can. These Million Bells have not disappointed.
Tree hydrangea with butterfly bushes: a restful place with my favorite plants and shrubbery.
Coleus and coneflowers: Coleus never disappoints with color. And the contrast of the coneflower is always fun.
Daylilies: I couldn’t have a happy place without daylilies. I always choose reblooming varieties, and if they have a fragrance, it is a bonus!
Greenhouse in the veggie garden: I love growing my own veggies, and Zone 7 has been such an improvement over Zone 8 for the vegetables that we like. I have never had such success with tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and beans, but maybe that is just me!
What a beautiful example of how a new garden can become your own— one plant, pathway, container, and season at a time. Thanks for sharing your Zone 7 garden with us, Janice!
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