You may remember my November visit to the Palmer, AK visitors center in November when it was about 15 degrees F. outside. To see that post, go here.
Life-size replicas of the giant vegetables for which this area is renowned.
Hydrangea macrophylla is supposedly hardy to zone 4 but I know that the branches would be frozen to the ground each year. I wonder if this is being used as an annual or if it's a special variety that will bloom on new wood.
Big splash of color! This sure looks different when it's not frozen!
It was the first week of July and some things had just been put out. The long days will cause all to quickly mature beautifully.
The "it" plant this year is even growing here. Purchased at a local nursery, this Isoplexis, hardy to zone 8, will definitely be an annual here.
Old pal Astilboides tabularis is hardy here and this one looks considerably happier than the one in my garden!
Rosa glauca
Clematis erecta purpurea. They must have cleverly supported theirs somehow. I finally got rid of mine because it didn't retain it's purple foliage color and flopped all over everything. Joy Creek Nursery has one that stays purple so perhaps I'll see if they have it for sale in the spring.
Warm border!
Lovely when full of plants, the structure of the beds in this area add winter interest when they're not covered in a few feet of snow.
Scarlett and purple/blue are always a winning combination.
The rock gardens no longer look like graveyards!
Sedum kamtschaticum
Lychnis chalcedonica
One way to get height.
Another view of the explosion of color!
I've never seen the fir trees so full of cones. Local wisdom says that this means that they'll have an especially cold or long winter.
Yikes!
Speaking of height, wouldn't you love to have this view from your garden? (Well, maybe not the truck.)
This is a great demonstration garden for visitors to experience and word has it that locals enjoy visiting as well! Next time you're in Palmer, do stop by!