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June Blooms

After a hot weekend, more pleasant weather has settled in and the long-term forecast shows consistent temperatures in the 70s. That is music to my ears, I just hope it lasts. We have been busy with the usual garden chores. Michael has been more adventurous than I and he created a small set of steps leading up to our shady path. He said he had been wanting to do that for a long time but didn't because of it making it difficult to move the lawnmower up to the top level. Well, we now have a battery-powered mower, a very lightweight, tiny thing which makes both of us happy. The steps are almost finished, just some more gravel needed to top them - Our new battery-powered lawnmower looks like a toy - In the garden - Autumn Fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora) is just spectacular right now. My favorite fern. Aruncus 'Horatio' has doubled in size this year and threatens to overshadow the shade garden.  Baptisia 'Solar Flare' blooms after 'Purple Smoke'  Jasmine 'Fiona...

The Garden of Reuben Hatch


I've really missed visiting gardens this year. I know that many of the HPSO gardens are open by appointment and I keep trying to put some on my schedule. A few weeks ago, a co-worker introduced me to Reuben Hatch at the nursery and suggested that I go see his garden. He was kind enough to invite me over. It turns out he just lives down the road from us, less than a mile away!

Mr. Hatch is a very interesting man. He once operated a rhododendron business on his property. I only saw a few rhododendrons in his garden but he has a great collection of plants, many of them rare and unique.

The first tree I noticed when I stepped out of the car was this deciduous magnolia with fuzzy leaves planted next to the driveway. He said that it was from South America.



He has many interesting varieties of Japanese Maple. This one is 'Peve Starfish' -



A view of the front garden -



The small variegated tree in the center of the photo is a Dove tree (Davidia). The variety is 'Lady Sunshine'.

A closer look -





He has the green Davidia as well -




Speaking of variegated leaves, this dogwood was stunning. (And I can't recall the name) -



A hedge maple (Acer campestre 'Carnival') was incredibly beautiful. My photo doesn't adequately capture the beauty.  I want one! -



And, lo and behold, the largest Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Flame Tree) that I've ever seen. Mine is still under 1' (after 3 years!) but it is showing some activity this year. Mr. Hatch said they should be grown in a pot for a while before going into the ground. I believe he said this one was 15 years old. I hate I missed the blooms.



This Japanese Maple was especially beautiful with the morning sunshine coming through the leaves. He did not remember the name of it. It was a stunner.



This one is 'Geisha Gone Wild' and an unknown rose in the foreground. We have 'GGW' and it is currently our favorite maple. Ours is small and in a pot.



Another beauty -



And this cherry tree with the most lovely bark -


As you can see, there is quite a collection of interesting conifers -








As well as ornamental grasses -






As well as some amazing phormiums (New Zealand Flax) -


One had even bloomed -


Thank you Reuben for sharing your amazing garden! 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. What inspiration and so close to home. You can possibly keep an eye on your favorites. I too like that 'Carnival' maple and the tall skinny weeping blue spruce. Those would be on my most wanted list.

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  2. It's funny what's hiding in plain view just a mile down the road. It's a fantastic garden and seem to have my favorites: conifers, Japanese maples and grasses. I don't think I ever saw a fermium in bloom.

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  3. Wow, is that a garden, and how lucky you are to have found it. Thanks for sharing it. I so miss seeing other gardens and this one is a gem.

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