Balkans Garden

Clockwise from left: Several cultivars of Aubrieta make a colorful splash in early spring, whereas Arabis caucasica 'Snow Cap' produces carpets of white; later in the summer drought tolerant Penstemon barbatus 'Prairie Dusk' makes a statement.

The Balkans include areas of full sun on the top side of the garden as well as a northern slope and cool, shaded areas at the base of a limestone rock wall.  This allows for a variety of plantings, from sun-loving, drought tolerant plants such as the above pictured penstemon to shade and cool temperature loving primulas.  It is also home to the troughs.

The Balkans Garden springs to life with white flower masses of sandwort (Arenaria montana) and purple carpets of rockcress (Aubrieta deltoidea), both of which last 2-4 weeks.  Then come bellflowers (Campanula portenschlagiana), Dalmatian cranesbill (Geranium dalmaticum), and pink (Dianthus spp.).  The lower garden is the home of the troughs.  The troughs feature extremely dwarfed species of spruce, Hosta, Lewisia, and hen and chicks (Sempervivum spp.) among others.