Summer Blooms in Ina Garten's Enchanting Garden: Long-lasting Plants for a Romantic Garden and Expert Tips for Cultivation
In the world of gardening, inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Thom Rutter, the Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, recently drew inspiration from Ina Garten's garden tour, shared on Instagram. Known as the Barefoot Contessa, Ina's garden is a source of inspiration for those looking to brighten their summer with flowers and vines.
According to Rutter, the key to maintaining a long-flowering garden similar to Ina's lies in choosing the right varieties, frequent deadheading, and regular pruning. By regularly removing faded or dead flowers on dahlias, clematis, roses, and other perennials, we can prevent seed formation, which redirects energy back to the plant and prolongs blooming.
Rutter emphasizes the importance of deadheading plants regularly during August for a continued abundant display through fall. Using sharp pruning shears or secateurs, we can trim plants as needed to maintain shape, promote air circulation, and stimulate new flowers, especially for roses and clematis. This is particularly important in early summer and mid-season depending on the plant type.
Selecting cultivars known for longer bloom periods ensures months of color and interest. Ina Garten's garden exemplifies thoughtful plant selection for a bold and lasting summer display.
In addition to these tips, general best practice involves planting in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with adequate sunlight (full to partial depending on species). Some perennials like mint require containment to prevent invasive spread but can thrive with minimal care when contained properly. Mixing perennials that attract pollinators, such as tubular flowers like salvia alongside long-flowering perennials, can enhance garden health and vibrancy.
Regarding tools maintenance, essential pruning tools should be used regularly throughout the growing and flowering season to keep plants tidy and healthy. Tools should also be cleaned and sharpened frequently to ensure clean cuts and reduce plant disease risk.
Rutter considers the Felco pruning shears to be the best pruners available for tough shearing jobs. These shears are highly-rated for gardening tasks, with hardened blades for effortless trimming.
The garden tour showcases a combination of pruned hedges, verdant hostas, warm-toned blooms, vines crawling across walls, and tall grasses. The use of colors in garden design, such as the interaction of different colors, is an underrated element that Ina Garten makes full use of. The image in the article shows a romantic tone, with dusky pinks, deep mauves, soft creams adding grace to borders and pots in Ina's garden.
With careful planning and maintenance, you can have a flowering oasis as bold as Ina Garten's in no time. For instance, Rosa 'Paint the Town', a rose variety with deep red blooms that rebloom for months, adds a bold splash of red to the landscape from late spring through the first frost of fall. The rose remains compact and tight.
By following these tips and taking inspiration from Ina Garten's garden, you too can create a stunning summer garden that will bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space. Don't forget to sign up to Homes & Gardens' newsletter for more design expertise, decorating ideas, practical gardening advice, and shopping round-ups.
Gardening knowledge can be seamlessly integrated into your lifestyle, as demonstrated by Thom Rutter's approach to maintaining a long-flowering garden similar to Ina Garten's. Regular deadheading, pruning, and choosing the right varieties are crucial for a continuous bloom in your home-and-garden.
