{"id":3900,"date":"2025-07-20T19:03:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T02:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/lees-spring-garden-in-the-mohawk-valley\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T19:03:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T02:03:39","slug":"lees-spring-garden-in-the-mohawk-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/lees-spring-garden-in-the-mohawk-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee\u2019s Spring Garden in the Mohawk Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi GPODers!<\/p>\n

Lee from the Mohawk Valley of central New York State always has something colorful and creative to share from his garden (check out some of Lee\u2019s previous submissions: There Is Always Room for More<\/a>, Lee\u2019s Garden Through the Eyes of an Ant<\/a>, Chasing Away the Winter Blues with Lee in New York<\/a>, Early Spring Blooms from the Mohawk Valley<\/a>, Flower Close-Ups from Lee\u2019s Garden<\/a>). I never tire of seeing his incredible flowers and wonderful garden art, but what I really appreciate is the insight and words of wisdom he often includes. In today\u2019s submission showcasing his spring highlights, he gives some perspective on his approach to gardening and drops a couple of beautiful life lessons in there as well.<\/p>\n

Yup, it\u2019s 2025\u2014one year older (just entered another \u201cdecade of years\u201d) and (hopefully) one year wiser. Speaking of wise, I find it wise to get out there early and get things cleaned up and ready for the sprouts. I find this critically important due to my gardens not having open places for footing, so getting the turf cleared early allows me to just watch things grow.<\/em><\/p>\n

I have coined myself a \u201cmix-\u2019em-up\u201d and \u201ccrowd\u201d gardener because I realize that the plant- and bulb-growers SUGGEST specific plant-spacing. I\u2019ve heard many suggestions in my life, and some I listen to and some I don\u2019t. This specific suggestion\u2014well, I don\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n

As my gardens continue to be dynamic and ever-changing, they all do have one thing in common\u2014all of the plants in every garden have lots of friends. Friends take up space, and friends don\u2019t let weeds sneak in. Many of my perennials spread by themselves, and others I split and place the kids elsewhere. <\/em><\/p>\n

Once mid-June comes around, any weeds are looking elsewhere for footing and I\u2019m then into official viewing-only mode. Mulch ? Nope\u2014I like the natural turf (where it can be seen, ha). Color schemes? I don\u2019t really focus too much on that\u2014I haven\u2019t found two colors of blooms that I could say, \u201cYou girls don\u2019t belong together,\u201d and sometimes those \u201cweird\u201d color combinations make a sort of asymmetrical statement\u2014like someone who is wearing a nice suit but has blue hair. I guess that I\u2019m just a rebel when it comes to conventional, traditional gardening with ultraclean lines and spacing. All of my perimeter plants on the property lines are on their own, with ostrich ferns<\/em> (<\/em>Matteuccia struthiopteris, Zones 3\u20137), wild daylilies, Solomon\u2019s seal<\/a> (<\/em>Polygonatum humile, Zones 5\u20138), bachelor\u2019s buttons<\/a> (Centaurea cyanus, <\/em>annual), wild phlox (which blooms well before \u201cdomestic phloxes\u201d), wisteria, and the sweet, sweet smelling Hall\u2019s honeysuckle (<\/em>Lonicera<\/a> japonica \u2018Halliana\u2019, Zones 4\u201311).<\/em><\/p>\n

With that said, here\u2019s a sampling of my little world for spring 2025. As always, I wish the best, most enjoyable, and most \u201csuccessful\u201d gardens for everyone\u2014just don\u2019t focus too much on that \u201csuccess\u201d part\u2014it\u2019s all in the eyes of the beholder. ONE, and ONLY one will know when their garden is a success.<\/em><\/p>\n

As always, peace from the Mohawk Valley in central New York State.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>First up are Lee\u2019s ostrich ferns with an incredible weigela in full bloom\u2014potentially the cultivar Wine & Roses\u00ae<\/sup> (Weigela<\/a> florida<\/em> \u2018Alexandra\u2019, Zones 3\u20139), based on the dark burgundy foliage and bright pink flowers.<\/p>\n

\"purple<\/a>Around Lee\u2019s pool, some spires of lupine delight<\/p>\n

\"lupine<\/a>A little earlier in the season, the lupines were just starting to come into bloom. The rest of Lee\u2019s garden is looking lush and inviting in the background.<\/p>\n

\"light<\/a>Speaking of early in the season, Lee included this shot of some of his stellar spring bulbs. We often showcase Lee\u2019s tulips on Garden Photo of the Day (Lee\u2019s Tulips in Mohawk Valley<\/a>), but these hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138) are equally enchanting.<\/p>\n

\"orange<\/a>Along with the fragrant Hall\u2019s honeysuckle that Lee mentions above, which has lovely yellow-and-white flowers, he also has a stunning orange honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa<\/em>, Zones 4\u20139) that is covered in their more vibrant blossoms.<\/p>\n

\"mock<\/a>If we\u2019re talking fragrance, mock orange always gets top billing. These cascading branches of white blooms are lovely, but you know their sweet, citrusy scent is even more intoxicating.<\/p>\n

\"bight<\/a>If you\u2019ve enjoyed Lee\u2019s garden in the past, you\u2019ve likely been waiting patiently for some lily photos to make an appearance in this post. Lee has an incredible collection, and this variety is another standout. This vibrant but tiny variety might be the Lily Looks\u2122 Tiny Orange Sensation Asiatic lily (Lilium<\/em><\/a> \u2018Tiny Orange Sensation\u2019, Zones 3\u20139).<\/p>\n

\"orange<\/a>From a smaller, low-growing variety to this flush of pink lilies dancing along with pops of orange rudbeckia blooms, Lee finds room for a diverse array of garden treasures.<\/p>\n

\"dark<\/a>Lastly, another incredible lily, potentially the cultivar \u2018Forever Susan\u2019 (Lilium<\/em><\/a> \u2018Forever Susan\u2019, Zones 4\u20138); lilies can bring some of the brightest, boldest color combinations to the garden, and somehow they look even more magical covered in water droplets after a fresh rain.<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for another peek inside the wonderfully colorful world you have created, Lee! While you consider your approach unconventional, all we can see from your photos is enviable plant beauty.<\/p>\n

What is your approach to gardening? Do you embrace the chaos like Lee, or does your mind go wild without a well-laid plan for each season? Let us know in the comments, or submit your garden to Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @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

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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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The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees<\/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

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. \n<\/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><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n