Spring Planting! | Courtyard Garden: Hostas, Hellebores & Woodland Charm (2025)

Hey y’all! Chip Jones here—The Preppy Gardener—and today I’m taking you along for a tour and planting session in one of my favorite spots at Okarga Farm: the Courtyard Garden. It’s another breezy Oklahoma day, but that’s not stopping me from getting things cleaned up, planted, and ready for a lush, woodland-style summer retreat.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most charming and shady spaces on the farm. I’ll walk you through the more mature areas of the garden—full of thriving hostas, hellebores, coral bark Japanese maples, and the cottonwood tree that’s holding it all together. We’re also tackling a few problem spots that need refreshing.

You’ll meet Colonel Sanders—our newest four-legged family member—who’s already made his mark (literally) on one of the plants! And I’ll share a few tips about planting for shade, dealing with deer and wind, and how to build a natural, flowing garden with a variety of greens rather than flashy color.
I’m also testing out new plants like Pulmonaria 'Heaven Scent' and Miss Piggy bergenia, and adding whimsical touches like mossy birdhouses and my favorite cascading greens like Creeping Jenny.

This is the beginning of what I hope becomes a lush, peaceful green retreat this summer. So grab your coffee, take a walk with me through the courtyard, and let’s dream up a shady garden full of texture, fragrance, and a little southern charm.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along all summer long—I'll be bringing you back here each month to see how it grows. 🌿✨

See y’all in the garden,
– Chip Jones | The Preppy Gardener

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