Photos credit to Scotty Moore.
Explore inspirational gardens to encourage new ideas Hosta Collectors’ Heaven This yard once was a very sunny yard with a few small trees—but now the trees have all grown up and this homeowner has discovered the joys of gardening in the shade. The property now boasts over three hundred different hosta varieties, including Blue Mammoth, Guardian Angel, Moonlight Sonata, Deep Blue Sea, Pole Cat, Snake Eyes, Unchained Melody, and the whimsically named Old Cardboard Boxes (a hosta notable for its extra-thick, blue wavy leaves). Hellebores, lycoris, variegated lily of the valley, martagon lilies, ferns, oakleaf hydrangeas, bear’s breeches, European ginger, and other interesting shade perennials bloom throughout the year. Miniature plant varieties provide accent points in containers. Strolling through this garden feels like exploring a forest of mysteries. While the sun clearly shines brightly above the tree canopy, below is a sanctuary of shade and shadows, as well as rich shades of bright greens and thoughtful garden ornamentation. Stone pavers suggest a pathway, but true explorers also feel invited enter grassy nooks off of the paved path, surrounded by borders filled with the color and movement of plants and shrubs. A well-kept tree with long, stretching limbs is given character with unique bird houses and feeders. Visitors get the feeling that there are secrets awaiting around every corner in this shady garden. Along with a drip irrigation system to keep thirsty plants watered during times of drought, the homeowners recommend using cotton burr compost not only as a soil amendment but for mulch, too. Beautiful Evergreens This garden has been well loved and cared for by multiple owners, who have planted a variety of unusual specimens and have thoughtfully included an outdoor fireplace, a gazebo, a pergola, and even a stone water fountain as part of the garden’s hardscaping. The garden is home to jumbo-sized hostas, spruces, pines, river birches, a weeping Blue Atlas cedar, dogwoods, and flowering shrubs, including a dwarf Korean lilac, hydrangeas, and several azaleas. The taller trees are underplanted with black-eyed Susans, impatiens, vinca, and all the blues and greens of shade-loving foliage. Find shelter in the pergola and take a closer look at the climbing clematis, hanging ferns, and palm plants. When asked the secret to these homeowners’ success, their answer is simple: “Plenty of watering.”
Visitors are invited to tour these gardens and more on June 11th and 12th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Blue Springs, Missouri. Tickets are $15, and children under 12 can come for free. This year’s garden tour will also coincide with a Dig-and-Divide Plant Sale (Garden Tour tickets are not required for the Plant Sale). Watch for additional information about the gardens and ticket sales at the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City website: http://www.mggkc.org/our-projects/garden-tour/. 16
May 2021 | kcgmag.com
