We spent a few days earlier this week on the north shore of Lake Superior. One day, we drove over to Ely, Minnesota, a small town on the verge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. After a crummy lunch in a cafe with a vivid green ceiling, we wandered around town for a while, browsing the local shops. Wedged between two gift shops, we discovered this lovely little garden.
Joe Pye weed dominates the center of the garden
My mystery flower
The arbor, with seating just visible beyond
The garden was about 20′ wide and 30′ deep, with a large rock and an island of greenery in the center and a gravel path around the perimeter. Tiny succulents grew in the rock’s crevices. Dominating the center garden was an upright stand of Joe Pye weed, fronted by tall white phlox and bee balm.
Along the left path, delphiniums, purple cone flowers and black-eyed Susans were in bloom. At their feet, lavender, coral bells and a few still-blooming Arctic Fire pinks lined the path. My favorite discovery in the garden grew among the lavenders and coral bells — a small white flower with threadlike leaves and bulbous seed pods reminiscent of poppy pods that I will be searching for this winter.
Purple cone flowers and black-eyed Susans
At the back of the garden, rows of sun flowers and a few oriental lilies filled in to the right of a gated arbour, with several huge lavender dahlias under a trellis to the left. A rose scrambled up the left side of the arbour, and through the gates, we could see an inviting, shaded patio.
The right side of the garden was equally lovely. A mungo pine anchored the walkway. Day lilies and zinnias filled the sunny spots. A large clump of blue and white monkshood grew in the shade along the porch. The garden was studded throughout with rusted metal flowers and insects on spikes (all for sale, of course).
The only place the garden faltered was in the back right corner, where the gardener had installed a water feature. The little water fall and pond were hemmed in on two sides by a building and porch. Although the sound of the trickling water was pleasing from the porch, the whole thing seemed stuffed in, as though someone decided they had to have it, but really had no place to put it.
But that’s a small quibble, really. It was obvious from what was not in bloom that the garden is pleasing throughout the season. And as someone who herself has a rather small garden, I know how challenging that can be.
