Garden Tour - Ryan Miller's Garden

This past weekend I had the privilege of visiting a friend and fellow blogger's garden. I actually met Ryan Miller (gnomiscience) through our blogs a year or so ago...but have never actually visited his garden before, so it was pretty exciting to finally see it in person.


I was lucky enough to be accompanied by Mrs. danger garden herself, Loree...there's nothing better than a day spent with garden folk, right? As we pulled up, we were met with the front yard plantings, seen above, which consists of some tough, xeric plants. As always, the combination of blue/purple with yellow is especially electric.

Anaphalis margaritacea, Rudbeckia hirta, Liatris spicata		Macleaya cordata & Verbascum bombyciferum 'Arctic Summer'

Of course, any time I see Rudbeckia and Liatris in a garden, it makes me happy...such great, tough prairie plants. The Macleaya is wonderful for it's statuesque height and wonderful, textural foliage. The blooms are a nice added bonus.


Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)
Ryan's front garden is really dominated by a large Cardoon...which was blooming resplendently during our visit...how can you not love those huge, glowing blooms!

Digitalis ferrungea		Eryngium planum

Ryan has all manner of intersting and unusual plants, many of which he has grown from seed. Take this Digitalis ferrungea...good luck finding that in a nursery! I think we all love Eryngiums (and there are SO MANY to choose from)...a bonus, they are almost universally loved by pollinators.


The "Front Garden" - Anaphalis margaritacea, Rudbeckia hirta, Liatris spicata, Sedum spectabile, Rhus typhina
Again, just a gorgeous mix of color and texture...and just imagine what it will look like once the Sedum joins the fray!


The "side-yard" garden
The part of Ryan's garden that's most impressive to me is the side yard...because he built that entire retaining wall (and it's WAAAAYYY longer than I had imagined) all by himself!


Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'
How can you not love the rich, sultry red foliage of this Lobelia...especially backed with those smoldering orange Crocosmias.

Tigridia pavonia		Lobelia laxiflora

Among Ryan's plants are some I've never actually seen in person before, Like this Tigridia...which he has a variety of colors of. The Lobelia really captured my eye...I honestly don't think photos quite do it justice...it's just so delicately graceful.


Lobelia laxiflora
Another photo of the Lobelia...because it's just so pretty :-)


Penstemon 'Husker's Red' seedpods
The flowers of this Penstemon are pleasant enough...but the seedpods are outstanding!

Asclepias Speciosa		Lobelia & Crocosmia

I was so happy to see my favorite Asclepias in Ryan's garden...love those silvery-mauve flowers...but even more so, the crazy, spiny seed-pods that follow.


Artemisia lactiflora 'Guizhou'
I've read that this Artemisia can be a bit thuggish...but it seemed quite well-behaved in Ryan's garden...and indeed, a perfect foil for its more intensely-colored companions. I meant to ask what the grass was in the background...I'm guessing Panicum 'Heavy Metal'.

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch'		Echinacea 'Hot Lava'

I'll admit, I prefer the plain old purple Echinacea...but even I had to stop and gape at these amazing hybrids...maybe I'll try a few someday!


Hypericum shrub
I could not for the life of me figure out what this was before asking Ryan...isn't it cool!


Hydrangea
I love these old Lace-Cap style Hydrangeas...I just find them casually elegant...and the color is wonderful.


Hyndragea & neighbor's Nandina
This may be cheating a bit...the Nandina is in the neighbor's yard...but I loved the combination with the Hydrangea!

So, thanks again, Ryan...it was a blast seeing your garden (and enjoying your Water Kefir)!