Garden Whites Inspiration
I am having a little obsession with garden whites right now. I have recently discovered a ocupel of plants as well as some bird lovers accessories that I am eager to find a place for – either in my own garden or someone elses.
I am a sucker for a beautiful leaf, and Allium karataviense ‘Ivory Queen’ aims to please don’t you think.

image from plantsgallery.
Nancy at Gardening Gone Wild has this allium planted in her garden and shares a great picture on her site where she has it paired with white-flowered dwarf fan columbine (Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila f. alba) , ‘Spotty’ dianthus, ‘Brookside’ geranium, ‘Marcus’ salvia, ‘Cramer’s Plum’ love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena), ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta), ‘Caradonna’ salvia, and Rozanne geranium. I love it, but am thinking of a display that is more modern and probably contrived to really highlight these plants.
I am similarly obsessed with the ghostly qualities of Hosta ‘White Feathers’. White foliage is just so unnatural but eye catching, I can’t help but obsess. I think the only place I could do this is in the some good shade and paired with something to really make it stand out, like maybe Ophiopogon planiscapus (Black Mondo Grass) and something silver like Dusty miller or perhaps more appropriately for the shade Japanese painted fern.

Image from J. Parker.
I am not interested in creating a white garden in the spirit of sissinghurst, but rather something completely modern that uses white for drama in a clean green space. This bird bath, bird house, and bird feeder would fit perfectly. I am not sure that the bath is substantial enough on its own but, I think maybe by doing 3 at different heights it could really be a stunning focal point.

Images from (from top right)
Allium image from plantsgallery.
Bird Bath and Birdhouse both from Bobby Berk Home.
Bird feeder from binome jardin.
Dusty Miller Image by LelisA
Hosta White Feather from Dutch Bulbs.
Japanes Fern image by mistymisschristie
Ophiopogon image by Ge®t®ude



janet said,
August 5, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
I NEED that Hosta “White Feathers” to cut for my arrangements!