Making over a front garden: a photo diary

The foxglove
One perennial I also used in large number is the foxglove. With its ability to thrive in partial shade, the foxglove is a stunning perennial with tall spikes of tubular flowers that comes in a variety of colours.

To achieve the layered feel that I had been longing for, I planted the foxgloves around my climbing rose bushes (since this picture was taken, the roses have taken over the arbour) and then surrounded the foxgloves with masses of soft pink Echinacea and the purple-magenta perennial, Knautia macedonia. Over the years I have found that using larger numbers of perennials in groupings offers a sense of unity and cohesiveness to the overall feel of the garden. As a rule, I use at least 13 to 15 of one type of perennial in a sweeping motion.

Planting a climbing vine
Years ago I had fallen in love with a picture of an old manor that was covered with roses. It was as if an entirely separate garden was growing on the front wall of the house. I was also intrigued by the lived-in look of the vine-covered homes in England and France. Inspired by these ideas, I began searching for the perfect vine.

Unfortunately, since my home faces north and most vines need a lot of sun, my choices were limited. I finally found the Hydrangea petiolaris, a vine that bears beautiful flattened heads of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. I planted five of these vines and expected them to take off immediately. Instead, it took about three years before my hydrangea vines started growing, but it was worth the wait. Not only are the flowers magnificent, but the leaves, which are very frost hardy, are oval with a shiny green colour. By autumn, the leaves turn a bright orange-yellow.