The invitation was intriguing: Come see a brown garden - in the springtime.

The brown border garden was planted by Clara Berger, a top gardener who lives in Anderson Township.

"I just wanted to see if I could do a garden in tones of brown - and make it beautiful," says Berger. She started the border late last season.

Clara Berger planted an earthenware pot with New Zealand flax. (Michael E. Keating photos) | ZOOM |

The border's appeal peaks in July, Berger says, but she has tried to maintain seasonal interest with plants that range in color from burgundy to mahogany.

In front of the border is a dry streambed made of flagstones. The background, or "bones," of the garden consists of several large deciduous Ninebark plants (Physocarpus) - a Rocky Mountain, High Plains native. The Ninebarks are 3 to 4 feet tall and bear clusters of white blossoms with 11/2-inch dark burgundy leaves. In the fall, the foliage turns a dark orange. This particular cultivar is called "Diablo."

The effect of the Ninebark is augmented by a large bush of barberry (Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea "Rose Glow"). In the spring, the new foliage is marbled bronzy red and pinkish white, deepening throughout the growing season to a bronze.

Placed off-center in the border is a brown glazed earthenware pot, planted with Phormium (New Zealand flax). The spiky foliage is a dark oxblood, almost a coppery brown.

Near the base of the urn is Japanese autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), with bronze-gold fronds that hold their color all season and stay evergreen in the winter.

German Iris with dark brown blooms. | ZOOM |

Blended with the autumn fern are several chervil plants in deep red (Anthriscus "Raven's Wing"). To one side is a clump of German iris with dark brown blooms (Iris "Argus Pheasant").

Toward the front of the border, a seasonal display of pansies called "Red Blotch" are interplanted with heuchera (H. "Amber Waves"). The mixtures weaves along the edge of the dry streambed.

At each end of the border, in the front, are plantings of Carex flagellifera - a ginger-colored grass that forms a mop head and makes a beautiful accent plant.

The border's more intense summer palette includes rudbeckias, especially the "Cherokee Sunset" mixture; a daylily called "Whiskey" and plantings of Crocosmia "Solfatare" with soft apricot-yellow flowers and bronze-brown foliage.

Berger's brown border may be viewed by appointment: 231-4963.

Contact Tim Morehouse by Web site: www.getmoregarden.com; mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer. (If writing, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.)