In early July I returned to the Himalaya Garden near Regensburg, which I posted about here, but this time with my sister. It was very sunny, but the bright sunshine didn’t detract from the planting at all. As I mentioned in my last post about it, this is not a show garden, but more a plant lover’s playground. And yet some of the combinations were stunning! These Foxtail Lilies for example, with golden green Euphorbia and golden grasses…
The blues, silvers and golds all melded together too: here Eryngium with more grasses…
And here Eryngium, Lavender and Melica ciliata…
I particularly like this part of the garden, set in a former stone quarry on a well-drained south-facing slope…
We both enjoyed the amazing and unusual selection of plants and trees, some of which remain unidentified. Can anyone help us identify this tall flower in the foreground below, with large silvery leaves?
And those green ‘umbrella’ style plants on the right seem familiar too… now what are they!
I know I can count on my wise and curious plant-loving readers for help! 😉
Words and Herbs 
What a gorgeous spot Cathy. Love those Foxtail Lilies. I had some several years ago but they didn’t come back.
I had never seen them in thise gorgeous colours before Tempting to try them but I know they are choosy about where they grow! 😉
What a marvelous garden. As you say, the blues, silvers, and golds combine beautifully.
And I’m not even sure it was intentional planting as so many of those plants had clearly self-seeded. Nature knows best! 🙂
Cathy is the most beautiful and natural garden. I love the Fox Lilies. The arrangement of the garden that seems more than Nature has done. Is beautiful. Greetings from Margarita.
Hi Margarita. Yes, I think it is a beautiful place too. 🙂
I know what you mean about things looking familiar – I can’t help this time but I am sure others will!
Thanks Cathy! Fortunately Frank has just identified them both for me. (See his comment below yours). The ‘umbrellas’ are willow-leaved sunflowers, and the other plant is a ‘plume poppy’. 🙂
Bloggers’ communal knowledge rarely fails…!
Love the echinops and the grasses! Hmmmm, I just looked up the grass and it should be hardy here, might have to look for a source next 😉
The large leafed plant is a plume poppy. Cool leaves and height, but it is a spreader and some people complain about that. I think the umbrella like plants are willow leaved sunflowers. I didn’t know they would grow as a pond side plant, I bet they get huge as well!
Oh great! Thanks Frank! I wouldn’t have known where to start looking. Love those leaves. I suppose if you have a cold winter that might help them stay in check… if I go next year I shall take special note of how much they have spread! Willow-leaved sunflowers sound very exotic, and I have just read that they love limestone prairies, so perfect for this spot. I am not sure if the ground near the pond is very damp, as it is raised on that side of the pond, but both plants certainly have the full sun they like. I hope I can get back when the sunflowers are in flower. Thanks again for your help! 😃🌼
I’ve always wanted to try the sunflowers, but they get awfully tall. Actually there are many amazing perennial sunflowers, but most of them are either spreaders, or really big, or both!
What a beautiful place! I’m glad you got to visit with your sister. Oh, how I wish we got summer rain. This makes me pine for the cooler weather ahead.
I know how you feel Alys. Hope you get a cooler spell in between like we have. 🙂
Thank you, Cathy. We broke another record yesterday, but today should be cooler (mid 80’s F). I’ll take it!
I see Frank has unveiled the secret before I could oblige. I’d love to see that garden and what I really love about it is the way the plants blend naturally into each other making it look like a natural landscape rather than a garden. Thanks for taking us along xx
You would love it there Annette. It is quite different to English gardens – refreshingly so. I love the natural look of it all, but am sure a lot of work goes into keeping it tame!
I believe so too. Only those who don’t have a clue think that wilder gardens are low maintenance. The head gardener is a nice guy (Olaf Grabner) – did you meet him?
No, we didn’t see any gardeners. But I have read a lovely article about him. Here’s the link: http://www.awmagazin.de/garten/parks-gaerten/artikel/nepal-himalya-garten-von-olaf-grabner
I love the textures of these meadows – so beautiful. I see Frank nailed the IDs, except I believe the blue to be Eryngium, not Echinops. 🙂
Oh yes, I should know that as I have grown both! Thanks Eliza. Will correct that!
I feel Himalayas are one of the most exquisite destinations in the world. Mountains galore, natural abundances and diversity of flora and fauna of the region are quite unforeseen. You may want to check out my newest blog on the same. https://orangewayfarer.wordpress.com/2017/07/23/darjeeling-my-himalayan-abode/
Thanks Orangewayfarer!
Thanks for the nice review. And yes, probably a typical “show-garden” I don’t have. But it is also not only a “plant lovers playground”. I cultivate more than 4000 different plants, but at first it is a nature-oriented garden for the less good conditions in Eastern Bavaria. An English garden I can’t make. Often in summer there is 2, 3 months without rain and very hot, between 30 and 40 degree above zero and in winter it is often one, two months more than 20 degree below zero. And I don’t have a lot of employees, one gardener and 2 seasonal worker, this isn’t a lot of 8 ha. So I have to make a garden “for intelligent lazybones” (K. Foerster, german gardener and philosopher)
I am so pleased you have visited my blog! I certainly didn’t mean my comment about the playground in a derogatory sense – I very much admire the way this garden has been created to look so natural and am sure there has been a lot of hard work involved. I live quite close now (I have been living and gardening in Bavaria since 1993) and have only just discovered your garden. I had not known previously what a beautiful place it is, and I will definitely be visiting again soon! Thanks!
charming and bewitching pictures collection
Thank you!
Superb clicks.Superb . Nepal is indeed a beautiful country .I recently travelled to Nepal with my family . Here’s our travel experience through Nepal covering Kathmandu,Pokhara,Bhaktapur & Nagarkot.
https://the-passport-souls.travel.blog/2017/11/05/on-the-streets-of-nepal/
Thanks RahulYuvi. I have never been there, but have often heard how magical it is.
it really is !!