Meredith Nelson's Garden

July 06, 2024

Revisting the McElhaney Garden

The last garden on the East Vancouver Mini-Tour was that of Judy and Roger McElhaney. I had visited their garden previously in 2016 and was just blown away. It is hard to believe that it is now eight years later. At first, I didn't recognize their garden. It is astounding how things have grown. The majority is very shady with the exception of one side (pictured above) that is open to the sky. A beautiful Mock Orange Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' This was the most beautiful shrub, about 5 feet tall and wide and covered with blooms. Judy could not remember what it was but we decided it might be a deutzia. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Another garden on the East Vancouver Mini-Tour a few weeks ago was Meredith Nelson's five-acre garden in Battleground. This is a cottage garden filled with perennials and clematis. It is also filled with wonderful iron-work decorative objects made by her husband Jeff. Check out the gate below!

I don't know how many clematis Meredith has but it a large number. I saw many varieties that I had never heard of.

I thought this was Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) at first but knew that it was too early for it to bloom. It is in fact a clematis but a different one and I have forgotten the name.

A very creative fence around the vegetable garden made of wheels (not sure what they are exactly) -

This is such a peaceful setting and so quiet. It makes me long for the country. Thank you, Meredith, for opening your garden. It is fun and very inspiring.