{"id":3389,"date":"2025-05-28T09:08:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T16:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/karens-high-desert-garden-in-spring\/"},"modified":"2025-05-28T09:08:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T16:08:50","slug":"karens-high-desert-garden-in-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/karens-high-desert-garden-in-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"Karen\u2019s High Desert Garden in Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Hi GPODers!<\/p>\n

At the end of last year we were introduced to Karen Safford\u2019s stunning garden in Bend, Ore., (check that post out here: Karen\u2019s Oregon Garden Through the Seasons<\/a>). Karen\u2019s gardens are relatively new\u2014she moved to her property less than 5 years ago\u2014but she has already thoughtfully and beautifully mixed many ornamentals and natives to accommodate the dry conditions and tough terrain of the high desert. Last time we got a great overview of her diverse plantings through the seasons; today we get to see some other areas in the garden in their spring glory.<\/p>\n

Hi! I submitted part of my garden through the seasons last year. I\u2019m sending some photos of other areas of my garden as early spring flowers wind down here in the high desert of Oregon. All of my plants are low water and on a drip system. I have a mix of ornamentals and native plants. My intention is to water my ornamental beds twice a week and my native beds once every couple of weeks, dependent on how hot the summer ends up being. I\u2019m trying to make as many pollinators and birds as happy as possible, so I\u2019ve got a lot of natives mixed in. We are now technically Zone 6a, but everything I\u2019ve learned is that because of our freeze-thaw cycle, which can last all summer long, we should really plant for much colder\u2014 Zone 4 or 5.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>As I mentioned last time, I live in the high desert and have a lot of lava rock in my yard. All of the rock in the pictures is from my yard\u2014 nothing was outsourced other than flagstone. This is one of my wetter beds. I have Jack Frost brunnera<\/a><\/em> (<\/em>Brunnera macrophylla \u2018Jack Frost\u2019, Zones 3\u20137)<\/em>, hosta<\/a>, Johnson Blue geranium<\/a> (<\/em>Geranium \u2018Johnson\u2019s Blue\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>, lambs\u2019 ear,<\/a> and creeping Veronica<\/a> cascading down the rocks.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"yellow<\/a>Wild flower tulips<\/em> (<\/em>Tulipa<\/a> sylvestris, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em> mixed in with my fern bush<\/em> (<\/em>Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em> and desert penstemon<\/em>\u00a0(<\/em>Penstemon<\/a> pseudospectabilis, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"drooping<\/a>Geum<\/a> flower with dianthus<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"white<\/a>Ice plant (<\/em>Delosperma<\/a> spp. and cvs., Zones 6\u201310), poet\u2019s daffodil<\/em> (<\/em>Narcissus<\/a> poeticus, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em>, Globemaster allium<\/em> (<\/em>Allium<\/a> \u2018Globemaster\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20138)<\/em>, hollyhock, and creeping Veronica; globe thistle<\/em> (<\/em>Echinops<\/a> spp. and cvs., Zones 3\u20138<\/em>),<\/em> and phenomenal lavender in the background<\/em><\/p>\n

\"white<\/a>Near our water feature (the fencing is to keep the dogs from tearing through the fountain and wiping out my plants): Creeping thyme<\/em> (<\/em>Thymus<\/a>\u00a0spp. and cvs., Zones 4\u20139)<\/em>, hopflower oregano<\/em> (<\/em>Origanum<\/a> libanoticum, Zones 5\u20139<\/em>), globe thistle<\/em> (<\/em>Echinops ritro, Zones 3\u20138<\/em>), Golden Echo daffodil<\/em> (<\/em>Narcissus \u2018Golden Echo\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20138<\/em>), blue fescue<\/em> (<\/em>Festuca<\/a> glauca, Zones 4\u20139<\/em>), and yellow ice plant<\/em><\/p>\n

\"rock<\/a>This is the area I featured last year. Everything is filling in and looks lovely in the evening light.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"wide<\/a>Down one of my garden paths\u2014this divides my rock garden to the left with my native beds to the right, with my dog Winston on the path.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"garden<\/a>Final photo\u2014our water feature\u2014this was made with rocks from our lot. There is a vacation rental behind our house and this helps dampen any noise; it\u2019s like having a giant white-noise machine. It often has birds or dogs taking baths in it. It is flanked by native penstemons, a native juniper plant, yarrow, lavender, serviceberry, gray creeping germander (<\/em>Teucrium<\/a> aroanium, Zones 5\u201310)<\/em>, Blonde Ambition blue grama grass<\/em>\u00a0(<\/em>Bouteloua<\/a> gracilis \u2018Blonde Ambition\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em>, Blue Boa agastache<\/em> (<\/em>Agastache<\/a> \u2018Blue Boa\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em>, stonecrops, and ice plants. I\u2019m hoping this is the year that this garden really takes off.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for another fabulous tour of your garden, Karen! Your unique landscape presents plenty of challenges, but it also allows you to create a fascinating garden full of natural interest.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen an incredible mix of spring gardens so far this season, but there is always room for more. If you\u2019ve been considering sharing some photos with the blog, here\u2019s your sign to send them in. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram:\u00a0@agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We want to see YOUR garden!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have photos to share? We\u2019d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!<\/p>\n

To submit, send 5\u201310 photos to\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We\u2019d love to hear where you are located, how long you\u2019ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.<\/p>\n

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with #FineGardening!<\/p>\n

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet?\u00a0Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard. \n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone’s hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n

Corona E-Grip Trowel<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1\/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n