{"id":3690,"date":"2025-06-28T05:22:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T12:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/28\/ninas-spring-garden-in-montana\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T05:22:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T12:22:51","slug":"ninas-spring-garden-in-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/28\/ninas-spring-garden-in-montana\/","title":{"rendered":"Nina\u2019s Spring Garden in Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Happy Friday, GPODers!<\/p>\n

It has been a while since we\u2019ve gotten an update from Nina Eadie in Montana, and her latest submission revealed her absence has been due to a recent move to a new property . . . directly across the street from the garden we\u2019re familiar with (check out some of these previous submissions to get a refresher on Nina\u2019s previous garden: Nina\u2019s Garden in Montana<\/a>, Nina\u2019s Dry Stream Bed<\/a>, and Inspired Montana Paradise<\/a>). While the move wasn\u2019t far, and didn\u2019t involve adjusting to a new climate or conditions, there are still plenty of challenges to tackle and a new, low-maintenance approach to execute.<\/p>\n

My <\/em>husband and I have gardened in Corvallis, Montana, (officially Zone 5b, but colder in reality) for the last 20 years. In 2020 we built a house directly across the street from our old house, where we had gardened for the previous 15 years (featured some years ago on GPOD). Even though we knew the area intimately, starting a garden completely from scratch has been challenging. Our goal was to create a garden that was more low-maintenance than our old one but still with a lush, colorful, and interesting feel to it.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>This photo shows the south hill, which was the first area we landscaped, both to stabilize the hill and to give our neighbors something besides construction dirt to look at! This was our first attempt at \u201cboulder-scaping,\u201d and so far, it\u2019s done its job of keeping the hill stable. Birch, low-growing \u2018Blueberry Delight\u2019 juniper<\/em> (<\/em>Juniperus communis var. <\/em>depressa \u2018AmiDak\u2019<\/em>, Zones 2\u20136),<\/em> and \u2018Pumilio\u2019 mugo<\/em> (<\/em>Pinus<\/a> mugo var. <\/em>pumilio, Zones 3\u20137)<\/em>, \u2018Westerstede\u2019 Swiss stone pine<\/em> (<\/em>Pinus cembra \u2018Westerstede\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20137)<\/em>, and ornamental grasses provide year-round interest, with seasonal color from barberry \u2018Admiration\u2019 and \u2018Crimson Pygmy\u2019 barberry<\/em> (<\/em>Berberis<\/a> thunbergii \u2018Admiration\u2019 and \u2018Crimson Pygmy\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>, \u2018Royal Purple\u2019 smoke tree<\/em> (<\/em>Cotinus<\/a> coggygria \u2018Royal Purple\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>, \u2018Amber Jubilee\u2019 ninebark<\/em> (<\/em>Physocarpus<\/a> opulifolius \u2018Jefam\u2019<\/em>, Zones 2\u20138)<\/em>, and spring and summer color from daffodils, \u2018South Seas\u2019 and \u2018Yellowstone\u2019 daylilies<\/em> (<\/em>Hemerocallis<\/a> \u2018South Seas\u2019 and \u2018Yellowstone\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20139)<\/em>, and \u2018Lemon Meringue\u2019 and \u2018Cherries Jubilee\u2019 baptisia<\/em> (<\/em>Baptisia<\/a> \u2018Lemon Meringue\u2019 and \u2018Cherries Jubilee\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em>. On the right, you can see the dog yard, which also includes an area they\u2019ve grudgingly relinquished to us for our barbecue!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"front<\/a>An overview of the front yard; this was the next area we tackled, since it\u2019s visible from the street.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"new<\/a>At one end is what we jokingly call \u201cWilderness North,\u201d a densely planted area that will provide privacy from the street as it matures. Blue spruce, both upright and sprawling, are mixed with \u2018Whitespire\u2019 birch<\/em> (<\/em>Betula populifolia \u2018Whitespire\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20136)<\/em> and my favorite low-growing evergreen, \u2018Hillside Creeper\u2019 scotch pine<\/em> (<\/em>Pinus sylvestris \u2018Hillside Creeper\u2019<\/em>, Zones 2\u20138)<\/em>. Ivory Halo\u00ae<\/sup> redtwig dogwood<\/em> (<\/em>Cornus<\/a> alba \u2018Bailhalo\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20137)<\/em> provides additional winter interest. Bulbs provide spring color, along with Pinktini\u2122 lilac<\/em> (<\/em>Syringa<\/a> \u00d7 prestoniae \u2018Jeftini\u2019<\/em>, Zones 2\u20137),<\/em> \u2018\u2018Hillary\u2019 Itoh peony<\/em>\u00a0(<\/em>Paeonia<\/a> \u2018Hillary\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138),<\/em> \u2018Hook\u2019 iris<\/em> (<\/em>Iris<\/a> \u2018Jefam\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20138),<\/em> and Winecraft Black\u00ae<\/sup> smoke tree<\/em> (<\/em>Cotinus coggygria \u2018NCCO1\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138).<\/em><\/p>\n

\"small<\/a>The startlingly yellow new growth of \u2018Taylor\u2019s Sunburst\u2019 lodgepole pine<\/em> (<\/em>Pinus contorta \u2018Taylor\u2019s Sunburst\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>\u00a0adds more color.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"cold<\/a>Arctic Jade\u00ae<\/sup> maple<\/em> (<\/em>Acer<\/a> \u00d7 pseudosieboldianum \u2018IsIAJ\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138) is<\/em> a cross between<\/em> A. palmatum and<\/em> A. pseudosieboldianum from Iseli Nursery\u2019s Jack Frost\u00ae<\/sup> collection<\/a>.<\/em> A. palmatum is not hardy here, but this cross has made it through four pretty brutal winters and is doing well, in part due to its very protected spot in this alcove between the house and garage.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"foundation<\/a>Another section of the front yard with our soon-to-be water feature at the end of one of several dry creek beds made from rocks excavated during planting, while a quail family scampers across the fallen log: More red-twig dogwoods are visible in the background, along with sweet iris<\/em> (<\/em>Iris pallida, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em> and \u2018Blue Shag\u2019 dwarf white pine<\/em> (<\/em>Pinus strobus \u2018Blue Shag\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20138).<\/em> Tiny \u2018Jane\u2019 magnolia<\/em> (<\/em>Magnolia<\/a> \u2018Jane\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em> at the far right had a single, beautiful pink bloom this year!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"garden<\/a>The opposite end of the front yard is planted inside and outside the fence with a mixture of shrubs and perennials but is eventually destined to become \u201cWilderness South,\u201d with its own mixture of trees and shrubs! <\/em>The rusty piece in the foreground is locally known as a \u201ctumblebug.\u201d My husband and I found it years ago in the middle of the Bitterroot River, hauled it out, and brought it home. Several locals have told us that their grandfathers used these in the construction of the nearby Painted Rocks Dam<\/a>. It\u2019s now proudly part of my husband\u2019s \u201crust collection.\u201d Fortunately, we\u2019re both up-to-date on our tetanus vaccines!<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for this update and sharing the progress on your new gardens, Nina! Your previous garden was absolutely delightful, but in the short time you\u2019ve been in your new space you\u2019ve created an inspiring amount of beauty and interest. I hope more updates come as the plantings mature and evolve. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve featured a lot of garden transformations on the blog this week, and I hope it inspires you to share your garden\u2019s changes! Unlike other art forms, gardens are projects that are always in a state of change. Whether you\u2019ve been tending your gardens for decades or just built your beds last year, we\u2019d love to see how things have evolved. 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

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n

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ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner<\/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

Telescopes from 4 to 7′. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set<\/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

These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1\/2″ overall with 1″ blades for cutting stems up to 3\/8″ in diameter, and one pair of 6 1\/2″ needle-nose shears with 2″ fine-tip blades for precise work.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Razor-Back Potato\/Refuse Hook<\/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<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n