After the renovation of my house I designed what I call the ‘entry way room’ that leads to, and partially surrounds an area by the front door. The palette of this room is chartreuse and white.
I planted several ‘variegated plants’ including the shrubs Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’, Cornus alba ‘elegantissima’, Salix I. ‘Hakuro Nishiki’, and the Hosta S, Frances Williams. For the chartreuse colors I planted a golden hop which spills over the top of the bench, and lots of alchemilla mollis., and Hemerocallis ‘Ice carnival’- which is a soft pale yellow day lily.
Entry Room planted with white & chartreuse plants
The white flowering plants include: climbing hydrangea, foam flower, oregano, white foxgloves, goose-neck loose strife, white columbine and in the spring white alliums and spring green tulips come up throughout this room. The yews either side of the door give the pale planting a nice dark contrast.
Golden hops spill over garden bench & cornus a. elegantissima variegated shrub in corner.
Taking a leaf from Gertrude Jekyll’s book about mono colored plantings, I allow myself the occasional aberration; blue pansies in spring and a common blue sage plant near the front door break ‘the rules’ and to my mind makes for a more natural less ‘designed’ look that works.
Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’- very fragrant shrub with variegated leaves
white foxglove & alchemilla mollis
View of entry garden
white rugosa roses, alchemilla mollis, lupines, hostas planted continuing theme in parking area
August view of entry room, yews planted for dark green foliage
Limelight hydrangeas & phlox David continue planting theme down driveway
Rooting for Ideas 
Someday I want to visit. Your gardens are a true inspiration.
Michael-I would love that- The garden is going to be on ‘The Open Garden Days’ – Garden Conservancy tour- Saturday, July 6th- 10:00- 4:00 pm.
Don…I have been introduced to you by my hairdresser Chris and tried to make the June 1st talk but just couldnt……I am a shabby excuse for a gardener and wondered if you do site visits and give advise? Also I would be interesed in the Garden tour….how could i find out more about it………..I live in Cooperstown and purchased a property 6 yrs ago that had been ignored for a while.
Thanks for listening.
Kate
Hi Kate, My Garden is featured on The Garden Conservancy -Open Garden Days which will be on July 6th from 10:00- 4:00. That’s 4th of July Weekend. I work in many ways to help people figure out the gardens they want to have. If you email me at: ds@donstathamdesign.com– I can send you a list of consulting prices and give you a clear idea of how I charge to design a garden. Best, Don
So beautiful! Serene. Love it – do post more about the tour as it approaches.
The pop of deep blue with the subtle daphne is exactly right, understated but rich looking. And I particularly like the drape of the golden hops over the bench. I grew hops on a trellis and it just became a big dense blob, vining over on itself, too congested and unattractive. Yours on the bench is lovely. Did you prune it or just let it go?
Hi laurie, Yes I always trim back the hops in mid to late summer as it does go a bit wild and tends to get its leaves fried by the hot sun. BY removing the top layer of burnt leaves the plant always seems to remain looking good into the Autumn.
Awoke this morning to another blanket of snow on the Montclair garden… Just enough to enjoy a final (I hope) winter landscape. And the Entry Room garden pictures provide just the right inspiration for the coming seasons.
How cheerful and charming is that!