Hi GPODers!
Last week we enjoyed two days at Arianne’s small but mighty garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota (check out Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them), and in those posts I discussed how inspiring it is to see the many creative ways gardeners utilize their space. Arianne’s garden was on the smaller side, and today we get to see how equally impressive it is to create cohesive gardens in a large space, thanks to Ami Dushkowich in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Ami gardens on 12 acres, and also prioritizes native plants and wildlife-friendly plantings. Naturalistic gardens with this much space can get messy quickly, but Ami manages to keep her designs just as beautiful as they are beneficial.
I live with my family on a 12-acre horse farm in SEPA. I got into gardening about five years ago, and my focus is primarily on native plants, although I do grow some nonnatives. My garden has grown quickly, as I’ve gone a bit wild propagating as much as I can handle with upkeep. I’ve found gardening to be incredibly rewarding not only for the satisfaction I get providing for wildlife but also as an artistic outlet. I’m a very visual person, so the gardens give me great stimulation and motivation to be outdoors.
A place to relax by a fountain made from a reclaimed millstone. Four horses, a mule, and two mini donkeys live in the barn.
Scarlet bee balms (Monarda didyma, Zones 4–9) in the foreground and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 3–9) in the back. A native basswood tree (Tilia americana, Zones 3–8) grows by the barn.
Plant milkweed (Asclepias syriaca, Zones 3–8) for the monarchs, they say. And I do. But they don’t talk enough about how amazing they smell! They are the most fragrant native I have, and they’re beautiful too! They look a bit ragged for the latter part of the summer, but it doesn’t bother me.
Not-yet-ripe blackberries, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia, Zones 4–9), and coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–9)
Queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra, Zones 3–6), my favorite native: It’s something I’ve never seen in the wild and don’t expect to—it’s rare here. It grows by rhizomes, and every year I add it to another spot in my gardens.
Native Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum, Zones 3–8) and lots of it: This spreads like crazy, and I have a ton of it. The bees and butterflies love it. The flower heads are large, so you can see them from a distance, which helps make an impression when looking at the gardens as a whole.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–6), phlox (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8), spent wild bergamot seed heads, and some fennel for the swallowtail butterflies. A monarch feeds on gayfeather (Liatris spicata, Zones 3–8).
Evening sun shining through native grass sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium, Zones 4–9): I only have one plant but plan to spread this around because it’s so unique looking.
A pair of goldfinches (Spinus tristis) perched on waning anise hyssop: The seeds are a favorite of these birds, and at certain times of the year, we’ll see a dozen at a time.
A secluded patio where we sit and have drinks, and watch the bats, and listen to the night bugs
Thank you so much for sharing your space with us, Ami! Your landscape looks as inviting for human guests as it does for the wildlife and pollinators that clearly adore your plant choices—a delicate balance to strike.
Are you a native-plant aficionado? More gardeners are realizing they don’t need 12 acres (though Ami proves it certainly doesn’t hurt!) to plant something that supports their ecosystem. Whether it’s a massive meadow or a group of containers dedicated to pollinators, we would love to see the ways you garden for good. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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