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Garden By Bernie Garden By Bernie……

bernie Welcome to the entrance of Bernie's 12 wooded acres in the Laurel Highland Mountains of Western Pennsylvania.

Seven of his acres are populated with numerous Dogwoods, Birch, Oaks, Maples, Cherries and a variety of stately coniferous trees. The other five they maintain as their flower gardens. They grow several hundred Azaleas and Rhododendrons amongst the trees as well as some formalized beds throughout the five acres.

They live in a temperate zone where the summer temperatures range from about 75 to 95 degrees and the winter temperatures go from 0 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Their specific area in the mountains gets a little less rainfall in the summer than the surrounding areas, so a lot of hand watering is necessary.

They began their gardens about 10 years ago shortly after they bought their place. There was very little there gardenwise except for a few perennials and those magnificent dogwoods and coniferous trees.

At that time they embarked on an Azalea and Rhododendron planting spree. Bernie dug the holes and Midge did the planting. They only planted about 100 Dahlias at that time – just enough to keep their hand in. It was a very busy time.

The annuals are planted around the Azalea and Rhododendron beds and embellished with some garden statuary. (Lady Marian’s touch)

Bernie spends about 3 to 4 hours a day maintaining his garden during the growing season but much of that time is spent just walking around and enjoying their garden while they work. Bernie says, "I’m sure you know that wonderful feeling."

This is another of the beds with a planting of Impatiens and Coleus. The Azalea leaves are visible above the stone.

Bernie became interested in gardening in his early teens. Both of his parents were avid gardeners and he was fascinated by the Dahlia. In his youthful chauvinism, he thought of it as being very masculine. Quoting Bernie, "I’m not too sure I appreciated them as much as I do today."

Dahlias are one of their favourite flowers. They grow about 450 plants (over 100 different cultivars) scattered in 16 beds around the perimeter of the 5 acres that they maintain.

Just seeing the wonderful transformation from the first buds of the spring flowers to the gradual progression of annuals and perennials during the summer months until the last bloom of the Dahlias in the fall. Bernie supposes most gardeners experience that same feeling in one way or another.

It would seem almost impossible with such impressive grounds but when asked if Bernie had a favourite spot in the garden he replied, "Yes, there is a large covered patio in the back that gives us a panoramic view of many flower beds with a background of conifers. GardenBuddies thanks Bernie and his wife for sharing their Garden.

No garden would be complete without a Guardian Angel.

Written by Carolyn

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