Happy Friday GPO players!

I hope you have a great first few days of 2025. To get the new year off to a good start, we headed back to Nancy Heckler’s Garden to see more of the tour Cherry Ong took on last fall. Nancy’s garden in Indianola, Washington, is a marvelous collection of colorful, lush plants artfully intertwined. If you missed the first two parts of this series, you should definitely go back and check them out (Part 1 and Part 2).

Today we’re going into a new garden room called Nancy’s Hideaway @nancy.heckler. Although the road is narrow, it is filled with various treasures, so be sure to look left, right, up and down. One of them is the fern table. I was inspired by them after watching Richie Steffen’s videos (See the full, in-depth video of the Hardy Fern Foundation here) And plan to make one for my own garden one day.

Brock welcomes you again to our virtual tour.

From bright and light to dark and glossy, Nancy has an incredible combination of almost every type of foliage you can imagine. She also didn’t miss any opportunity to add additional interests and art. This cot is surrounded by a stunning fence of woven branches.

Here’s another great example of a leaf vignette like the one we saw last week. All of these plants have a similar color and shine, but very different textures and shapes, making the combination still very interesting.

As Cherry describes so perfectly above, the path to Nancy’s retreat is filled with charming details. You can tell that everything in Nancy’s garden has been carefully added and meaningful, not just her plants. From the pile of driftwood on the left, to the antique watering can and bright red water pump.

Nancy revealed that it was a very sentimental piece created by a close friend who passed away from cancer.

What a delightful fern table! Here’s how to make one: Make a Fern Table with Richie Steffen

Another immersive path, this stepping stone is even more beautiful this time of year, sprinkled with fallen leaves. I love Nancy’s garden, it’s reminiscent of the hiking trails I saw when I visited the Pacific Northwest in 2023, with lush plants and dense trees. Her landscapes perfectly reflect the surrounding landscape and add to the beauty of the gardener’s brushstrokes.

Most of the leaves in Nancy’s garden are sparkling. Even when not in bloom, this azalea is eye-catching.

While we’ve seen Nancy be able to create many stunning vignettes by grouping container plants together, she’s also able to create incredible combinations in individual pots. Without a single flower, she thrills, fills and overflows with a variety of brilliant colors and textures.

I don’t know what I envy more, Nancy’s incredible plant collection or her amazing variety of containers! Anything growing from this stunning planter will become a focal point. More shiny bright foliage really brightens up the area.

Finally, another example of Nancy’s interesting garden art. In the final part of this series, Cherry shows examples of bird sculptures and artwork near each garden gate in Nancy. But this adorable trio of moss-covered skunks shows that she represents other animals throughout the space.

Thanks again for sharing more of your visit to Nancy’s Garden with us, Cherry! It’s an exciting garden to explore and I’m sad we only have one submission left in this series.

Do you have a garden you’d like to share?

Have a photo to share? We’d love to visit your garden, a specific plant collection you like, or a wonderful garden you have the opportunity to visit!

To submit, please send 5-10 photos to [email protected] and some information about the plants in the photo and the location where the photo was taken. We’d love to hear about where you are, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you’re proud of, lessons you’ve learned from them, hopes for the future, favorite plants or interesting stories from your garden.

Do you have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or twitter With #FineGardening!

Have you received GPOD via email? Register here.

Recommended products for fine gardening

The Essence of the Oak: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Important Native Tree

Fine Gardening earns a commission from purchases made through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of the Oak reveals the monthly changes of the oak tree, highlighting the seasonal cycle of life, death and renewal. From the woodpecker that collects and stores hundreds of acorns to sustain itself, to the beautiful jewel caterpillar, Doug Tallamy explains and celebrates the wonders that happen in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice on how to grow and care for oak trees, as well as information on the best oak species in your area.

AM Leonard Deluxe Clay Knife and Holster Combo

Fine Gardening earns a commission from purchases made through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTI-TASK DOUBLE EDGES: Deep serrated edge and tapered slicing edge, ideal for tough or delicate cuts. The durable 6-inch stainless steel blade can withstand 300 pounds of pressure. Twine Cutting Notches, Depth Gauge Marks and Spear Points – No need to change tools when using this garden knife. Leather Sheath: Heavy-duty, protective, clip-on sheath keeps your knives convenient and safe. Lifetime warranty.

Pruning Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Fine Gardening earns a commission from purchases made through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pruning Made Simple shows you exactly how to do it. This essential guide provides expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Introduction to 50 of the most popular trees and shrubs, including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas and more, including illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions to ensure you get your pruning right the first time.