Welcome to Esther's Gardens, Parkesburg, PA, Chester County, USA

[Esther Knapicius]

I am actually thinking of making one of those photo books. maybe this winter.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

@DeborahJane sorry, did not see your question till now. I see your 10a for zone. I am zone 4, 5, 6. So not sure I can answer you correctly. But will give it a go. sounds like you want something dense so no weeds go through it, but pretty to some degree, especially 3 seasons of it. There may be a hardy geranium that can handle zone 10. you'd have to check, normally they are happier in cold climates, but there could be a more fragile variety. and they do handle shade.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Finally, after all these years, I ordered up some Himalayan blue poppy seeds. Looking forward to starting them outside, for their needed chill and hope half out of 50 seeds will germinate. they have been on my list.

 

[DeborahJane]

Thanks @DeborahJane for looking. Not sure what foliage your referring to.

Just taking another stroll around your garden Esther. Zlightbtime delay in following this up but i was referring to the plants around your tree trunks.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

@DeborahJane . Ok, if its the pic. of the plants around the tree trunk, with a blue shed to the topish right. Those are hostas . NOW. there are lots of types of hostas. some very tall as those are, some, grow out more vertical , some a spear shaped, lots of types. One winter, many years ago, I took out tons of books from a library to explore all them. From there I gathered info for "decorating " with them, color, size, shape.

 

[MaryMary]

Finally, after all these years, I ordered up some Himalayan blue poppy seeds. Looking forward to starting them outside, for their needed chill and hope half out of 50 seeds will germinate. they have been on my list.

I had to go look at images of them - those are beautiful!

I hope more than half of them germinate!

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I had to go look at images of them - those are beautiful!

I hope more than half of them germinate!

Yep, that is why I got 50 seeds. even if I get 20 I'll be happy.

Actually planning on starting them inside in soil pots. seeds now in the fridge for their month chill. My garden room will be a good starting place for them.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

lovely morning with coffee leafing through my favorite seed catalog, what to try this year, what to try. https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/

 

[Esther Knapicius]

The other week, caught this group of shots, snow thawing on my shrubs.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

the above are the red dogwood shrubs, and the reason WHY one gets them, for winter interest. they are the same pictured behind the gazebo way above --what they look like in the summer.

 

[DeborahJane]

Art work Esther.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

 

[Larisa]

Very nice, relax for me.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

This spring the gazebo needs a new facelift, staining etc.

 

[anon_ru]

Absolutely stunning pictures Esther. I love the orange dangling bell shape plant the best.