garden of the month

We had barely begun a walk around Annie Pierce’s garden when a rumble and a cloud of dust announced the arrival of the UPS truck.

“That must be my totem pole,” she said.

Sure enough. The driver emerged from the truck with a long box. You’d have thought it was Christmas. But being the good hostess to a garden visitor, Pierce would open it later.

Excitement over little things and what they can do in a garden is the hallmark of Annie and Devan Pierce’s garden philosophy. For the past 20 years they have let their whims and fancies guide them as they built an eclectic garden that makes an inviting place to live outdoors. Their efforts won them the July Garden of the Month prize by the Inland Empire Gardeners.

The couples’ sense of style comes out in a series of pocket gardens tucked into their large backyard. Across the long back fence is a collection of colorful iris. Many came from family gardens when old iris and peony plants from homesteads and farms in Utah and Washington were divided. One of her peonies was originally planted on their homestead near Garfield in 1885.

“I have passed down starts to all the cousins and other relatives,” says Annie. “When the kids buy houses, they get plants.”

The Asian-themed corner is anchored with a dark gray stone lantern that came from Annie’s mother’s garden. Old windows and country antiques found their way into an old-fashioned country garden with delphiniums, sunflowers, butterfly bush and a burning bush for fall color. Along the back of the house, the Pierces have built a pergola and stone patio perfect for sitting in the evening as the sun sets. Clematis and roses scramble up the pergola, providing a little privacy and shelter from the wind.

Water plays a role, too. Their above-ground swimming pool is nicely camouflaged by plantings of small evergreens. Devan designed and built a stream that meanders to a pool beside the patio. Over the stream are steps and a bridge to a deck that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the yard.

In the west corner of the garden the Pierces have built an English shade garden with English ivy trained up the trees and walls. The effect is a refreshing change from the sun-baked grass field just over the fence. There is even a silver tea service set up ready for afternoon tea.

Now back to the totem pole – a Christmas present can only wait so long to be unwrapped. The Northwest style garden was already planted with ferns and other shade-loving plants. Annie was just looking for the right accent piece when she found a 3-foot tall Northwest-style totem pole on eBay.

It was on its way to the garden by the time I pulled out of the driveway.