Fall migratory birds are starting to show up in my garden. I saw this Black headed grosbeaks at the feeder today. Rufous hummingbirds are competing with Anna’s in the garden. Rufous Hummingbirds travel from breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada to wintering sites in Mexico. All critters seems to be enjoying a bit of cool air, And finally the vegetable garden seems to be relaxing from the intense heat and starting to produce. I had a lot of male flowers on the cucumber plants, and finally I am getting some female flowers and some cucumbers. Goly Ostovar, AGC Member
Mary Kyman’s beautiful garden at 1160 Bellview Ave. is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for July 2024. She started gardening here in 2009. Her garden was on the AUUW Garden Tour in 2014 and it was gorgeous at the time, but she has made many changes and improvements since then.
Mary does all the planning and design work. For many years, she did much of the physical labor as well, but has now turned over the day-to-day maintenance to Molly McConnell and her crew from Bee Kind Gardening. Nevertheless Mary estimates she spends about five hours a week on the garden and continues to be fully involved.
She has to be fully conscious of deer preferences in her plant selections and placement. The back yard is not accessible to those pesky intruders.
The prolific hydrangeas that line the front of the house on the west side are at the height of their glory this month. But many other plants, including rudbeckia, calla lilies, and hotlips salvia are also in their prime right now and these are among her favorite plants.
Both the house and the garden are art-filled. There is a stepping stone and gravel spiral in the front yard.
The garden in back has many fruit trees and berry plants. Raised beds harbor vegetables and herbs. An enormous elm, with fabulous bark, shades a good portion of the patio and back garden.
Mary has kindly suggested that those pedestrians who wish to see the front yard in its entirety, since a hedge blocks much of the view, can walk up the driveway but are asked to stay on the driveway itself.
Article and Photos by Ruth Sloan, AGC GoM Coordinator
You make long lasting friends with fellow plant lovers when you are a member of the Ashland Garden Club ~
Ashland Garden Club Annual Dues: $25 a year for an Individual / $35 for Household. Membership applications are found under the ” Membership” tab on this website.
The Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for May 2024 is John Schroeder and Debbie Beck’s colorful yard at 719 N. Laurel Street.
Photo by Photo by John Schroeder
While the camellia has put on a beautiful show from late winter through early spring, it is fading out now and the gorgeous bright salvias, phlox, lupine, euphorbia, and candytuft are just coming into their own. The Japanese maple tree and barberry bush provide contrast with their deeper spring colors.
Photo by John Schroeder
John and Debbie have been gardening here since they purchased the property in the spring of 1983. When they arrived, the front yard had only the camellia and a deodar cedar tree that eventually got so large it overpowered the entire yard. Now that they have had that tree removed, the Japanese maple that they planted is thriving. The back yard was steeply sloped toward the back fence. You can see how much they have accomplished in the intervening years, all while working outside the home and raising two children.
Photo by John Schroeder
John is responsible for the overall landscape design and all the heavy work, including terracing the back yard and planning, and often building, walkways, and Debbie says she handles the details, including small cleanup chores such as dead-heading and weeding. John originally constructed the backyard terraces with railroad ties but when those wore out, he had pros install block retaining walls following his design. He built the stone stairs between levels.
View from the akebia vine. Photo by John Schroeder
Among John’s favorites plants are the Japanese maple, akebia vine, and camellia. Debbie favors daphne and rhododendron. They also have vegetable beds and blueberries in the back. The garden design features lovely vistas throughout with Asian touches of stone lanterns and a sculpture. The newish tree on the left side in front is an autumn blaze maple.
John Schroeder and Debbie Beck in a rare moment of relaxation.
Photo by Ruth Sloan
Article by: Ruth Sloan, Garden of the Month Chairperson
Lamium plants, also known as Spotted Dead Nettles, are deer-resistant ground covers that grow in a part- sun to semi-shade. Different varieties flower in white, pink or purple. Flowers are delicate and dainty. Lamium’s two-toned foliage provides interest, when the plant is not in bloom.
Perennial Plant, Height: 4-6″ Width: 15″-18″, Blooms early spring- early summer, USDA Zone: 3-9,
Lamium maculatum ‘Aureum’ is a cultivar with gold to chartreuse foliage.
