Garden Tour: A Collector's Garden

It started with an invitation to see her dahlias. What I discovered was a beautiful garden that reflected the soul of its owner.

Come with me as we tour the autumn garden of Sandra Hopkinson located on the wooded outskirts of Burlington, WI. 

The dahlias were still gorgeous when I was there in mid October

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'White Giant' (Calla lilies) looking lovely even after the white flowers have faded.

Rusty grates make charming stepping stones.

Dactylicapnos scandensicentra (Golden Tears Bleeding Heart Vine) is not hardy in Wisconsin. Sandra buries the pot and overwinters it in her greenhouse.

Persicaria amplexicallis 'Firetail'

Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Son's Tree) blooms in the fall.

This standing buddha marks the entrance to Sandra's fernery. She has collected 40-50 varieties of ferns and says there's always room for more.

Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers' is a broadleaf evergreen in zones 8-11 where it can grow 10-15' tall.

Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel'

Sandra is a huge Beverly Sills fan. This statue takes center stage when the surrounding 'Beverly Sills' iris are in bloom. Her husband even fashioned musical notes into the gate in the background. 

Eupatorium coilestium 'Mist Flower' also known as hardy ageratum

These seed heads are from Sanguisorba tenufolia 'Alba' (Japanese Burnet). In midsummer their white willowy blossoms provide movement in the garden.

Asarum splendens (Chinese Wild Ginger) is not hardy in Wisconsin. Sandra overwinters it in her greenhouse.

Hydrangea macrophylla

Window box of scented geraniums