Tour a Garden that Harnesses the Full Rainbow

In a grove of ninebark (physocarpus), Hercules overlooks the double borders.

Not much remained of the circular sundial garden beside the house except the privet hedge running beside the house.

To re-create the garden's surrounding hedges, Mitchell planted privet seedlings collected from the woods.

In the sundial garden, a lily pairs with phlox and allium that accentuate its pink markings.

The faux bois cement bench looking into the sundial garden was found at Litchfield County Auctions.

Hues toward the shady end of the double border begin with subtle creamy yellow and blue.

In the more strident section, sunshine yellow heliopsis plays against ‘Becky’ Shasta daisies, and purple astilbe.

To create the height necessary for a deep bed, giant fleece flower (Pericaria polymorpha) echoes the white flowered Phlox ‘David’ on either side of dark-leaved Canna ‘Australia’ (grown in a container).

Mitchell used different plants on each side of the double border that reaches a color crescendo in the middle with orange daylilies and blue hydrangeas across from clipped hedges.

The house’s veranda enjoys a bird’s eye view of the double color border.

Mitchell added a slatted gazebo for his begonia and shade-loving potted plant collection.

To conveniently clip the privet surrounding the former drying yard/current herb garden, Mitchell installed a stone retaining wall.

A pair of finials has weathered to enhance the silver of lamb’s ears and the purple of astilbe in the color border.

When Mitchell began to excavate around the house, he found a stone path and steps hidden beneath the grass, which originally led to the laundry yard.