Sievert's Moss Garden

One of the gardens I visited this past weekend while attending the American Hosta Society convention was Dale Sievert's garden.  Dale introduced moss to his Japanese garden in 2006.  He has 250 containers and 20 or so species of moss in his garden.  He also has a great collection of rocks and antique pavers in his gardens.  Here are some pictures, which do not do his gardens justice.  It was raining when we visited.

Hosta 'Borsch #1'

I can't wait for this one to bloom.  It has the most beautiful flowers.

Hosta 'Choo Choo Train'

I am just loving hosta 'Choo Choo Train' this year.  The leaves are gigantic!  

Visit to my friend Jill's garden

I finally got around to visiting my friend Jill's garden.  It is amazing - AMAZING!  It makes me wonder just how many more wonderful gardens there are hiding out in Wisconsin.  I might just have to find out next summer!  But for now here is a photo journey through Jill's gardens:

If you think you can't garden in the shade, check out this garden

When I first moved into my house almost 10 years ago I had big plans for all kinds of flower gardens.  We bought our house in February and the yard was always full of sunlight.  It wasn't until spring arrived that I realized all of the maples in my yard would leaf out and my yard was full of shade.  I struggled with the idea of shade gardening until one day I happened upon a garden set in the woods of upper Wisconsin.  It was there that I realized that you could have beautiful gardens, even if you have full shade.  This weekend I had the opportunity to revisit the garden that inspired me, and I took pictures for all of you who don't believe you can garden in the shade.

A sense of tranquility washes over you when you walk through Cathy's wooded garden.  Water features lace the gardens, along with treasures from her various trips around the world.