Tucked quietly in my back yard is a colorful, leafy haven that has blossomed far beyond its humble beginnings. What started as a modest circular planting around a bird bath has, over the years, unfurled like a storybook — growing until nearly every corner of the yard is touched by greenery and blooms. The perennial gardens are a graceful blend of pinks and purples that dance through the beds. Recently, cheerful hints of yellow have begun to peek out, adding a playful contrast to the soft hues.
But the real heart of this garden lies in its texture — lush, shade-loving hosta are planted in abundance. Some were starts from friends, but many of the hosta were carefully chosen from Sower’s Hosta Farm, a beloved gem nestled near Ladoga. Their deep greens, variegated patterns, and resilient nature provide the perfect backbone for this shaded sanctuary.
One of the more recent discoveries for my shade gardens is the stunning Brunnera. These hardy, deer-resistant beauties bloom in brilliant blues each spring, their tiny flowers shine brightly. Their arrival has added another layer of color and texture to an already magical space.
But it’s not just the plants that make this garden special — it’s the spirit behind them. Every corner is sprinkled with whimsical touches and treasures collected during an annual sisters’ weekend, where flea markets and greenhouses become playgrounds of possibility. These joyful excursions have filled the garden with delightful oddities and vintage charm, each piece a special memory. One of these early excursions is where my whirligig obsession, I mean collection, began.
As the gardens continue to grow and evolve, so too has my understanding of them. With each passing season, I’ve come to learn which plants thrive in the dappled light and rich soil, and which ones simply don’t belong. Where once I may have hesitated to make changes, I’ve grown more confident over the years — unafraid to dig up a plant that’s not quite right and give it a new home, or let it go altogether. The process has become part of the pleasure, a gentle rhythm of trial, error, and joyful discovery. I don’t consider the gardens ever finished. To me, they’re not a static display, but a living, breathing canvas — an ongoing conversation between nature and gardener.
Each year brings new ideas, new inspirations, and new opportunities to refresh, re-imagine, and reinvent. Whether it’s introducing a new color, shifting a border, or trying a plant I’ve never grown before, the garden invites change with open arms. It’s this ever-changing nature that keeps me connected and excited — because there’s always something new waiting to bloom just around the corner.
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Artist Mary Lou Dawald will be an additional feature in the Whirlygig Garden. She will have unique handmade clay garden art in the form of fish sticks, pot heads and more. All items are one of a kind!
