This spring, the exterior gardens of Gwynedd House received a much-needed makeover. The beds had become tired and lacked visual interest, especially in such a prominent area. As I watched residents sitting outside with views of these spaces, I felt compelled to enhance their experience by revitalizing the gardens. Below are photos and details of the renovation process for each of the three beds!
In the circle bed, a beautiful yellowwood tree stood surrounded by declining Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). While this tough native shrub is an underused gem and typically performs well, for some reason it struggled in this particular spot. It’s still a great plant—just not the right fit here.
Once the struggling shrubs were removed, the bed was left wide open and full of potential. I always love the opportunity to start fresh on a planting project! Winter provided the perfect window to plan, design, and place plant orders in preparation for a vibrant spring transformation.
I had a clear vision for the circle: a planting that offered color through the seasons, movement, and enough height to create interest without obstructing views of the road. It also needed to support pollinators and endure tough winter conditions like salt and snow. To bring this vision to life, I chose some of my favorite resilient plants—Penstemon, Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed), and Panicum (switchgrass)—for their texture, durability, and long-lasting beauty. To add contrast and a touch of elegance, I incorporated pops of silver with Artemisia, which pairs beautifully with the grasses and blooms.
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| Mountain mint currently blooming |
The entrance bed was in need of a refresh. While it featured classic plants like Catmint, Russian Sage, and Shasta Daisy, it had become a bit unruly over time. The Russian Sage frequently flopped onto the sidewalk, creating a maintenance challenge, and self-seeded Goldenrod and Aster—though great for wildlife—gave the small space a somewhat weedy appearance. A new, more cohesive planting was needed.
I envisioned a low-growing tapestry of color, blending shades of yellow, pink, and purple to create a cheerful and cohesive entrance bed. To anchor the design, I focused on tough, low-height plants like sedums, which thrive in challenging conditions. Salvia 'Caradonna' was included to tie this bed to the nearby circle planting, where it already features prominently. I also reused several plants saved from last fall’s planters, including a striking purple sedum (name forgotten, but too good to waste!) and the native Artemisia cultivar ‘Valerie Finnis’. Its soft, silvery foliage adds a luminous contrast and echoes the Artemisia used elsewhere on site, bringing a sense of continuity and flow.
One of my favorite aspects of this planting is the succession of yellow blooms that carry the bed through the season with warmth and brightness. It begins with Alyssum 'Golden Spring', which brings an early splash of vibrant gold. As the Alyssum fades, Sedum 'Weihenstephaner Gold' takes over, its cheerful blooms continuing on and off through the summer. Adding to the layered effect, Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' emerges with soft, buttery yellow flowers and a delicate texture that beautifully softens the overall composition.
Later, I planted in an annual I started from seed, Jasmine scented Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata) for the fragrance and a bit of height.
I truly was driven mad by this strip of mulch along the sidewalk. It had become a sea of mulch, a few scattered Echinacea, and some self-seeded Goldenrod and Aster—all clustered in one spot, giving it a disjointed and unkempt look. I envisioned something more intentional and dynamic: a meadow-like planting with a matrix of grasses and tough, sun-loving natives like Penstemon, Ratibida, and Liatris to bring structure and vibrant pops of color throughout the season.
The makeover wouldn't be complete without fresh planters in the seating area for residents and staff to enjoy. The hanging baskets are one of my personal favorites. Last fall, I planted bulbs in them and kept the baskets protected in a cold frame over the winter. Come spring, I framed the emerging blooms with pansies. I also had a lot of fun designing summer containers featuring geraniums, begonias, and nicotiana.
