Hi GPODers!
We’re back in the garden of Lizzi Gualtieri in Walla Walla, Washington, today. Lizzi has shared her stunning designs on the blog several times over the years (check out her previous submissions: Lizzi’s Springtime in Walla Walla, Lizzi’s Front Yard Veggie Garden, Walla Walla Backyard, and Lizzi’s Walla Walla Garden), starting when her garden only had a couple of growing seasons under its belt. The landscape has filled in a lot since then, and, even with some time away this summer, all of her plants are absolutely thriving. Now that fall has arrived in Washington, she is reflecting on what needs to change next year while taking in the beauty that still remains as the growing season winds down.
Hi! The weather is turning here in Walla Walla, Washington (we plant for Zone 6 despite being told we are 7a), and I love the way the light is changing in my south-facing backyard. The grasses and the dried seed heads are really making a statement now. The garden is still looking surprisingly OK despite the fact we were traveling most of the summer. There is drip irrigation to keep everything watered, but I didn’t get around to deadheading anything for repeat blooms (sorry, echinacea!). This is the 3rd or 4th year for most of the plants, and things have filled in to the point where I have some editing to do now. The ‘Rozanne’ geranium (Geranium ‘Gerwat’, Zones 4–8) is repeated throughout the yard, and it is frighteningly vigorous; so is the ‘Helen Von Stein’ lambs’ ear (Stachys byzantina ‘Helen von Stein’, Zones 4–8), which I love and my husband hates. We’re having our first big crop off of the ‘Flying Dragon’ citrus tree (Citrus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’, Zones 5–9) and have been researching jelly and marmalade recipes. My favorite annuals this year are my hedge of ‘Carmencita’ red castor bean (Ricinus communis ‘Carmencita’, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), which reaches to the gutter of the house, and hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) with its beautiful purple pods.
‘Rozanne’ geranium and ‘Karl Foerster’ grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 5–9)
‘Flying Dragon’ citrus with fruit ready to harvest
A panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3–8) that was here when we moved in, with more geraniums and an art piece in the background
‘Helen Von Stein’ lambs’ ear, ‘Karl Foerster’ grass, ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’, Zones 3–9), ‘Angelina’ sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’, Zones 5–8), and yet more geraniums
‘Rosie Posie’ agastache (Agastache ‘Rosie Posie’, Zones 5–8), dwarf blue spruce, and ‘Whirling Butterflies’ gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’, Zones 5–9)
Purple basil, sedum, ‘Little Bunny’ grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’, Zones 4–9), drumstick alliums (Allium sphaerocephalon, Zones 4–8), and still more geraniums
Variegated sweet iris (Iris pallida ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–9), ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, Golden Mop false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’, Zones 5–7), and gaura
‘Carmencita’ red castor bean with the hyacinth bean vine on a trellis in the background
A view through our back gate with wistaria, a coleus, and annual salvia in a pot, and some variety of sedum in the lady’s head planter
Thank you so much for another gorgeous update from your garden, Lizzi! Your landscape is maturing like a fine wine, and the need to edit is a sign that only more refined beauty is to come.
As I mentioned yesterday, the end of the growing season is the perfect time to reflect and start your game plan for next year’s garden. As you’re enjoying your fall garden or scrolling through photos of summer scenes, consider sharing your reflections with Garden Photo of the Day. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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