Happy Friday GPOders!
A couple of Fridays ago, I shared photos from a summer trip to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine (GPOD on the Road: Bar Harbor in July). Of course, many New Englanders have made the trip to the Maine coast to enjoy the natural wonder that is Acadia and the colorful town of Bar Harbor in the summer. Carol Rice of Plymouth, Massachusetts shared photos of her latest adventure.
I also spent days in Bar Harbor and loved the flowers everywhere! I just had to share…
This bed is very similar to the one pictured with the Incrediball® smooth hydrangea (Hortensia arborescens 'Abetwo', zones 3–8). (Again, you can check it out here: GPOD on the Road: Bar Harbor in July) It also has a wide variety of colorful flowers, but the focal point is a stunning pink and white panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculatazones 3-8). I have to say I like the extra pop of color.
A close-up of this amazing hydrangea, covered in beautiful flowers.
Carol also saw this lush window. Petunias are a lovely bright spot among dark blue sage and various grumpy heucheras. Dichondra Silver Falls™ (Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls', annual) never disappoints as a spiller.
Of course, there is endless fun and natural beauty to enjoy! Who wouldn't love this amazing rock in their garden?
When I received these photos from Carol, I decided to go through my photos one last time to see if there were any Bar Harbor plantings that I missed in the last post. Here are the few I wanted to share:
Although Bar Harbor is not a major metropolitan city, there is still often no room for large, sprawling gardens on every corner. However, that doesn't mean the magic of plants can't be found in little crannies and unexpected places, like this little side garden I stumbled upon.
While container plantings and small gardens abound in and around Bar Harbor, there are even more trees to admire. I loved how this bright green spruce looked against the blue ocean backdrop. Have you ever wondered how people can tell the difference between different types of conifers? There are a multitude of features to consider. For more information, see the article: Spruce vs. Spruce vs. Pine: How to Tell Them Apart. For an even deeper dive, check out this awesome profile from The Ohio State University: Is it pine, spruce or fir?
Lastly, I wanted to share a photo of the real thing Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park. In my last post, I shared some planters that were off the beaten track Jordan Pond House restaurant and shop located near this famous landmark. As I flipped through my photos, I decided you all should see the pond that gives the restaurant its name.
Thanks for sharing your flower-filled adventures in Bar Harbor, Carol! It was very nice to see the plantings that caught your eye.
Have you seen any plants on your travels this summer? Whether it's elaborate designs created in meticulously tended park planters or the natural plant life you enjoyed on outdoor adventures, we'd love to see the photos you've captured! Follow the instructions below to email your photos or DM me on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
Do you have a garden you'd like to share?
Do you have photos to share? We'd love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you've had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to (email protected) along with some information about the plants in the images and where you took the photos. We'd love to hear where you are, how long you've been gardening, what successes you're proud of, what failures you've learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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