Friday, October 2, 2009

An Overlooked Garden

You can use a mature Amelanchier canadensis at the end of the garden to create a miniature woodland area with tree-trunk stepping stones and a seat of timber planks. Paved terraces breaks up the garden's length and groups of larger pebbles add a sculptural effect. There are raised timber-edged beds and too ponds.

Some initial work was needed to transform this garden and produce the privacy required by you. Firstly a range of levels was created along the length of the garden. Paving was then laid, with shallow Steps edged in timber leading from one level to the next. The change of levels is only slight, dividing the garden into three separate sections but immediately makes it appear much inure interesting.

Matching timber was used to make the raised beds. Those in the central sunken area are three planks high and the one nearest to the house, on the left, slightly higher.

The pools are on different levels so that water from the back pool cascades into the lower front pool then recirculates. Positioned directly opposite the steps that lead down from the terrace, the water feature creates a decorative picture from indoors, all year round. The long pergola also provides interest from the house.

At the end of the garden a soft path of wood chippings is interspersed with stepping-stones made of sliced tree-trunks. These have been covered with wire netting to ensure they remain non slip, an important consideration

Summer color abounds in this garden but winter interest is not ignored. This appears in variegated foliage and in the exotic golden stemmed bamboo, Phyllostachys aureosatfrata (Aureocaulis). Pink is introduced in late winter with the pale pink rhododendron `Cilpinense' and in spring with the variegated Daphnedem Aureomarginata'

Posted by at