Hi GPODers!
Today we’re revisiting a garden we first saw all the way back in 2019. Deborah McQuiston first shared her very wooded, sloped mountain during the fall with lots of fabulous foliage plants on display (check out that submission here: Making a Garden in the Woods in Pennsylvania). Five years on and the foliage is still fantastic, but it’s time to make some needed changes to a garden that is very challenging to maintain.
I’m Deb, gardening in the Pocono Mountains in NE PA. I’m turning 70 next year, and the challenges of taking care of the landscaping on a slope are setting in. My balance & strength are not what they were, and the golf cleats I now wear only help a little.
I’ve decided that instead of pruning the groundcover evergreens of juniper and Russian cypress (Microbiota decussata, Zones 2–7) to stop them invading perennials, I’ll let them take over and move a lot of those perennials to the flat front yard, or give them to relatives. I’ve started the process, but am now on hold until the spring so I don’t mess up the dozens of daffodils I have planted in the front.
Viewed from an elevated deck, an enchanting path through Deb’s woodland garden. A massive Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica, Zones 2–7) has some beautiful red foliage starting to emerge on the left, while ferns, grasses, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 4–9) bring varied textures on the right.
Another look at that gravel path and sloped bed from above. For such a challenging spot, and for a plant palette that consists of only greenery, Deb is not lacking for interest. She has managed to weave an incredible tapestry of texture.
And who really needs more than some gorgeous greenery when you have all these fabulous trees and a breath-taking lake view!
At eye level, a pairing of juniper and ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Zones 2–8) is just as compelling as from above.
On a hot, summer day there are plenty of places of reprieve in this garden. Take a dip in the lake, or bask in the shade as you explore the naturalistic plantings.
Of course, aside from the challenges of steep slopes and heavy shade, a woodland garden has the added challenge of many different types of animals cohabitating your space. Deb mentioned the turtles that burry their eggs in her garden every year, but this particular hole is from persistent chipmunks. No matter how many times she fills it, they come back and reestablish their burrow.
And woodland gardener’s most damaging garden guest, the deer, would do a number on any of Deb’s potted plants. Thankfully, her raised deck lets her keep these precious plants safe.
Not much to see here besides possibilities! Deb says this “grove” is the future home of the ligularia and epimedium she is relocating from her slopes. With plenty of space for new plantings, I’m excited to see what Deb creates!
Thanks for sharing this garden update, Deb! Love seeing you overcome these gardening challenges and adapt your space for your future.
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