Today we’re visiting Bonnie’s woodland garden in Jasper, Georgia. From treasured spring ephemerals to an impressive collection of Japanese maples, every season brings new surprises! Bonnie says:

It seems impossible that our garden has been evolving over 12 years now. It is what people call a mature garden and often presents delightful little surprises. There is no master plan but instead a “canvas painted with plants” over the years.

Our garden has a variety of Japanese maples. This is ‘Japanese Princess’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Japanese Princess’, Zones 5–9). It is a dwarf variant of ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’, Zones 5–9). This photo was taken in mid-March and shows its exquisite spring color.

This combo is one of the delightful surprises from this spring. This yellow epimedium (Epimedium × versicolor ‘Sulphureum’, Zones 5–9) found its way next to the blooming cowslip (Spring primrose, Zones 3–8) to make an interesting arrangement.

Trilliums (Trillium cvs.,Zones 5–8) are a real treasure as they can be difficult to establish. I was amazed this spring when this one emerged from a rotting log that had been on the property for well over 20 years. I do not know what species it is but was extremely grateful for the gift from the garden gods.

Crested Iris, (Iris cristata, Zones 3–9) is a lovely harbinger to spring in a shady woodland garden. Like many Irises, its blooms do not last long but the foliage provides a deer resistant ground cover throughout the summer.

‘Moonrise’ full-moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’, Zones 5–9) is another variety of Japanese Maples in our garden. The spring foliage is stunning, orange-red maturing to chartreuse in the summer. This spring it was in full color as the azaleas native to the property behind it were blooming.

Like many gardeners, I find it difficult to pass by the spring bulb section at Costco without buying something. One year a package of ‘Bartzella’ peony tubers (Paeonia ‘Bartzella’, Zones 3–8) was marked as clearance, so I thought what the heck. And bought it. After waiting three years, this was the year the plants finally bloomed. They did not disappoint. To be a good gardener one must have a lot of patience! ‘Bartzella’ is an intersectional hybrid peony prized for its massive, 6–9-inch, bright yellow, lightly fragrant blooms and robust stems that stay upright without staking.

Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia cvs., Zones 8–10) are known not only for their exotic blooms but also the beautiful foliage that can last throughout the summer. In zones 8-10 the tubers can be left in the ground over winter which is what I do.

‘Jean’ garden phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’, Zones 4–8) is a butterfly magnet. It blooms from July to September and has exceptional resistance to powdery mildew. It should be noted the plants can grow to four feet tall and may require support.

A recent acquisition is ‘Kawaii’ full-moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Kawaii’, Zones 5–9). This is a dwarf tree that only grows one to two feet tall and wide. The coloring of the leaves even in summer is exquisite. Its name means “cute” in Japanese.

And of course, last but not least, Cody my gardening companion and the guardian of the garden enjoying the sunshine.

Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing the plants and surprises that have shaped your woodland garden over the past 12 years—and for introducing us to Cody!

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