{"id":3819,"date":"2025-07-11T18:31:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T01:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/bonnies-spring-highlights-in-north-georgia\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T18:31:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T01:31:51","slug":"bonnies-spring-highlights-in-north-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/bonnies-spring-highlights-in-north-georgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonnie’s Spring Highlights in North Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

It has been a fabulous week of old friends and new here at Garden Photo of the Day. We started on Monday with an incredible introduction to Ann Gilmour\u2019s garden in New Jersey (check out Part 1<\/a> and Part 2<\/a>, if you missed them), and we\u2019re the ending the week with an update from Bonnie Plikaytis in North Georgia. Bonnie has shared many spectacular scenes from her woodland garden in the past (check out some previous submissions: A Photo Journey Through the Seasons of 2022<\/a>, Garden Stumperies<\/a>, Autumn Colors in North Georgia<\/a>, and Winter Beauty in Bonnie\u2019s Garden<\/a>), which we admired so much that we featured it in the print magazine (A Woodland Garden That Takes Inspiration from Nature<\/a>)! Today she\u2019s back to share some highlights from this spring.<\/p>\n

Spring is officially over, and it was a beauty. Rain was plentiful, and the plants emerged from winter ready to burst forth with foliage and flowers. This year there were challenges from the deer and voles. Living in a woodland setting, one must remember we share the forest with all that live here and that this was their home first.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>Spring invites a bit of whimsy as seen in this photo of a snail sculpture, made from discarded metal items, smiling with glee among the native columbine<\/em> (<\/em>Aquilegia canadensis, Zones 3\u20138).<\/em><\/p>\n

\"red<\/a>These red trilliums<\/a> (<\/em>Trillium erectum, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em> were a transplant from a friend\u2019s garden several years ago, so I do not know the species or variety. Trilliums are always a lovely announcement of spring.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"rhododendron<\/a>When \u2018Percy Wiseman\u2019 rhododendron<\/em> (<\/em>Rhododendron<\/a> yakushimanum \u2018Percy Wiseman\u2019<\/em>, Zones 6\u20139)<\/em> blooms, it puts on a kaleidoscope of color from red to pink, ending in creamy peach. Needless to say, it is a real show-stopper!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Japanese<\/a>This spring we added \u2018Purple Ghost\u2019 Japanese maple (<\/em>Acer<\/a> palmatum \u2018Purple Ghost\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em> to the front garden near several Damozel rhododendrons<\/em> (<\/em>Rhododendron \u2018Damozel\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>. The red blooms of the Damozel create a nice color echo with the bright red leaves of the Purple Ghost.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"plant<\/a>This \u2018Spotty Dotty\u2019\u00a0mayapple<\/a> (Podophyllum \u2018Spotty Dotty\u2019<\/em>, Zones 6\u20139)<\/em> was given to me by a gardening friend several years ago. This is the first spring it developed the unusual shaggy red blooms under the leaves. The large spotted leaves always attract the attention of garden visitors.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"fern<\/a>Royal fern<\/em> (<\/em>Osmunda<\/a> regalis, Zones 3\u201310)<\/em> is often not recognized as a fern by some visitors. Its unusual-shaped fronds with the bronze-colored fertile fronds give it the common name flowering fern, though it does not produce actual flowers.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"shade<\/a>This is a view within Cody\u2019s Garden, which is protected from the deer by a fence. Looking from bottom to top, there are \u2018Trevi Fountain\u2019 lungwort<\/em> (<\/em>Pulmonaria<\/a> \u2018Trevi Fountain\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>; Champion\u2019s wood fern<\/em> (<\/em>Dryopteris<\/a> championii, Zones 5\u20138)<\/em>; left side in the back is \u2018Hayes Starburst\u2019 smooth hydrangea<\/a> (<\/em>Hydrangea arborescens \u2018Hayes Starburst\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138), with its delicate white double blooms; center, \u2018Oregon Sunset\u2019 Japanese maple (<\/em>Acer palmatum \u2018Oregon Sunset\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139); right, Tiny Tuff Stuff\u2122 mountain hydrangea<\/a> (Hydrangea serrata \u2018MAKD\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"orange<\/a>This spring, the butterfly weed (<\/em>Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3\u20139)<\/em> started blooming early and continues to bloom. I certainly am no butterfly expert, but Siri says this is a great spangled fritillary<\/em> (Speyeria cybele).<\/p>\n

\"Japanese<\/a>Another Japanese maple added to the garden this year is \u2018Summer Gold\u2019<\/em> (<\/em>Acer palmatum \u2018Summer Gold\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139), which gives a lovely pop of color to even shady areas of the garden. Planted in front is beautiful wood fern<\/em> (<\/em>Dryopteris<\/a> pulcherrima, Zones 6\u20139),<\/em> an outstanding evergreen fern. Also seen is leopard plant<\/em> (<\/em>Farfugium<\/a> japonicum, Zones 7\u20139),<\/em> which has yellow flowers in early fall.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"dog<\/a>Cody is the Guardian of the Garden. When he spots a deer, you know immediately from his verbal response that he has beagle and coon hound in his heritage! He is a good boy and my gardening companion.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for this selection of stunning photos from your spring garden, Bonnie! It never disappoints, and every year there is something new to marvel at in your woodland wonderland.<\/p>\n

What were your spring highlights? Was there a plant that put on a particularly powerful performance, or a corner of the garden that wowed in every way possible? It\u2019s not too late to look back on the previous season and share some highlights with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram:\u00a0@agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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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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Alpine Corporation 28″ Tall Outdoor Birdbath with Scrollwork Decoration Yard Statue<\/p>\n

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STUNNING BIRDBATH: Quality birdbath is sure to attract feathered friends and create a charismatic ambiance for your garden, patio, deck, yard, or other outdoor space. SHALLOW SHAPE: Shallow and wide bowl assures that multiple small birds can drink and bathe safely at the same time
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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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Wagner’s 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag<\/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

Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n