I get a lot of my gardening and art information from YouTube. The big problem I have is that the landscapers I love the most are in different climates that are not like Tampa, Florida’s. They are in northern California (same zone 9B but very different rain, humidity, and heat zones), Michigan, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, New York, North Carolina, Toronto, and even England. There are two gardeners whose channels I frequent who are in Florida, but they are in zone 10 and the plants they use for structure die back hard at the first signs of temps below 35.
I have been aware of Jenny from Creekside near Charlotte, NC but somehow didn’t really become obsessed until I watched her ProvenWinners Signature Garden experience 1.5 hour tour. I can’t believe she ran around nonstop talking for that long (though I’m sure she took breaks not evident to the viewer). Her energy and passion for what she does is another level.
Another issue I have with nursery owners and their channels is that they have access to endless wholesale inventory and crews of landscape workers and tractors that is not normal to everyday hobbyists like me. So, sure you can get ideas, but how much can you practically accomplish without your own nursery and sponsorships by gigantic growers like ProvenWinners or SouthernLiving, as well as all of the freebies from garden adjacent vendors? That’s one reason I stopped watching Garden Answers years ago. Does she know how to garden? Absolutely. Will I be able to purchase tens of acres of my neighbors’ properties and line half a mile driveway with thousands of annuals, or build a heated greenhouse mansion, or put 10 water features or 40 massive planter boxes on my walk to a 10-acre cut garden? Doubtful. No fault of theirs, the addiction is real. The pocketbooks are different. I can dream, but I don’t garden for a living. I have a day job that keeps me behind a desk.
Back to Creekside. OH MY GOODNESS! Her gardens are amazing. And, while she does have a lot of acreage and her own nursery, I could relate some of her designs to things I could achieve here at AvantGardens. Yes, she is in Zone 7b and can grow dogwoods and Japanese maples (trees I would love but won’t grow here). And she can grow more hydrangeas out in the full sun. I have less choices available to me and they have to be planted on the east side of woods.
What are my top takeaways from Jenny?
Plant in repeating masses
A recurring theme is planting the same plants over and over again. And while planting lots of different plants adds interest, planting in groups of 3, 5, 7, 9 or more adds rhythm and harmony. Repeating the same plants across the way or in different spaces allows gardens to wink at each other and connects them with a sense of cohesion.
Many of the shrubs she repeats are hydrangeas and rose mallow hibiscus, both of which I discovered I can actually grow here. My impression was that I could only grow oakleaf hydrangeas (NOT TRUE!) and why would I grow tender rose mallow hibiscus when I can grow real hibiscus? The answer is because ProvenWinners Summerific hibiscus plants offer a glorious selection of rounded habit forms with massive dinnerplate sized flowers in a variety of colors.
Pick a Color Scheme
In the above photo, you can see the calming influence of a predominantly white with splashes of blue or lavender, dare I say “moon” garden. Sometimes, this is tough to do if you only shop your local garden centers. I have tried to find all different types of white plants but, oftentimes, they are difficult to find as I’m sure plants with color sell better.
I am all about cool, calming colors like pink, white, lavender, blue, apricot, salmon, and peach with soft yellows. I know I have hot fuchsia and some deep burgundy (which I love) but I am more drawn to a cooler palette. Some colors a am reticent to purchase are bright oranges, reds, and yellows. Because we are in Florida, it seems hot colors go with hot climates and tropical garden flowers tend to scream at you and provide more energy. Love them, just not my preference.
Go Big on Structure but Make a Splash with Annuals
In addition to hydrangeas and hibiscus, Jenny repeats supertunia vista petunias, unplugged salvias, and superbena verbenas. We can grow unplugged salvia, sweet osmanthus/tea olive, quickfire fab, Jenny’s favorite little lime punch hydrangea, and virtuoso pinkerific dahlias, though I might be more inclined to plant the bulbs in raised beds or pots. So, the identified main plants in this photo are all good in zone 9B.
All of the plants identified in the above shade garden photo may also be planted in Zone 9B, Tampa/Pasco county. However, the begonias will die back during a freeze if not covered or stored inside.
So, the major takeaways are:
- keep a color scheme in mind
- plant in masses
- go big on annuals but put in a structure of evergreens and perennials first
Keeping these three key design choices in mind, and referencing Gardening with Creekside photos for inspiration, will be a game changer in your garden!
Happy gardening!
