Today we’re headed to chilly Fairbanks, Alaska, to visit with Susie Zimmerman.
Here are a few shots of my garden. I’ve been at it for about 40 years (with a good deal of help from my husband, lovingly referred to as “the Undergardener”), whose main job was to build the house.
Where it all started, circa 1983–1987
More early beginnings of the garden—just a bit of lawn and some flowers
This aerial view shows how the house and gardens look now. What a cool house, and it is clear that there is a LOT of gardening going on down there.
Alaskan summers may be short, but the cool temperatures and long days mean everything grows incredibly lush.
In the fall, beautiful leaves changing color dominate the garden.
Just a little snow in the winter—still beautiful, though!
But when all that snow melts, a beautiful garden emerges, filled with flowers.
Hot colors come from a canna (Canna hybrid, Zones 8–11 or as a tender bulb) and a black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–7).
You think deer are bad. Susie has MOOSE! She has a love-hate relationship with the frequent moose visitors. They are entertaining but can be quite destructive as well.
Susie sent so many wonderful photos that we’ll be back tomorrow with more from this beautiful garden!
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