Showing posts with label front garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label front garden. Show all posts

Thursday, May 21, 2015

breaking down the garden....garden room/shady stroll garden

When I garden I break down spaces into pocket gardens.  There are so many spaces that exist within the whole which in turn helps me stay focused as I work in the garden.  The shot below is an upper view of our back garden.  The dry stream bed is not in this photo but I feel this gives you an idea of the back yard and what we are working with toys and all.



Moving on to the front garden, these shots don't show my island bed or the other side of the driveway but again it gives you an overview of the main sweeping bed.



Our garden room is essentially our side yard.  Garden room sounds prettier to me and as many gardeners do, I'm in the process of naming the different pocket gardens that exist within our space.  Our garden room was once just an ally between our home and our neighbors' home.


We added a fence and and arbor to create the garden room.  Plantings are still a work in progress in this space but we do enjoy the privacy this addition gives us as our city plots are small.


I created the path out of brick and after laying garden fabric the pea gravel was added.


Along the left side of the fence we get full shade.  In time I hope that my climbing hydrangea will cover that whole fence.  Hydrangeas, hostas, solomon's seal, Japanese forest grass, ferns, lungwort, and hellebores fill the space.





As we move further into the space more of the shade garden comes into play.  Here is what it looked like when we moved in.


As soon as I added the path the beans took to it.  And the shady stroll garden was born!  They skip through this space now and ring the chimes that hang from the tree.  This bed consists of bleeding hearts, foam flowers, hostas, astilbes, lamium, annuals (impatiens and begonias)  wild ginger, ligularia, beauty berry, grasses, goat's beard, weigela, creeping jenny, knotweed, snow on the mountain, golden Japanese spikenard and coral bells.







It's fun to see how far different areas have come over time.  My goal is to make my way around our whole garden as the months go on.

source~cagedcanarynz.blogspot

See you in the garden!  


Monday, July 7, 2014

Around the World Blog Hop....







I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop this week by my friends Jennifer and Elaina.  Coming from these ladies, I felt beyond honored! Jennifer's blog Thistlebear is a refreshing place to visit as she creates a handmade home that to me, is reminiscent of the past.   Her makings and everyday doings with her children show her love for the simple beauties in life.  Elaina's blog,  A Little Bit Country  is one that I have admired for many years now.   She shares her journey of life in the countryside of New Zealand where she is raising her crew.  She is a collector of all things vintage and Elaina has her hand in everything from baking to gardening. 


1.  What am I working on

Like all the makers out there I can never keep my mind on one thing.  As soon as I start one project I have one in the back of my mind brewing.  With gardening magazines on my nightstand and inspiration photos in a pile waiting to be hung on my inspiration board, I have yet to master the art of focus!  Obviously the garden is first on the list as there are always plants to be fed and beds to weed!



I'm also working on accomplishing activities with the beans from our summer list.   Our 2014 art show was a success.  Family members came over for the show and the beans made sure everyone had a cookie and lemonade.  It was a memorable day for them.













Beyond the beans and the garden I am completing our new work room little by little.  I have a box on our shelf with projects in process.

They include....2 Christmas ornaments, a scarf that I am crocheting and a sketch of a painting that will be started soon

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'm still unsure of what genre I fit into.  Obviously the garden is a large part of my space here so I will take it from that stance first.  I differ from most other garden bloggers mainly because I am only about 7 years into this garden while most of my other gardening pals have been at their space for 15 years or more.  My space is still evolving as I have 3 little beans helping me along as I go.


The front garden...




Coneflower, Balloon flower, Coreopsis (Moonbeam), and Lamb's Ear




Blazing Star




Anise Hyssops (blue fortune), Geranium (Rozanne), Yarrow (Saucy Seduction)



As far as the other genres that I'm passionate about, I feel they could all use a bit more refining and attention.  I have loved fabrics and yarn since I was a child sewing and stitching pictures at my grandmother's house.  It has only been now that I have made a commitment to start journeying into  some of those areas as I am inspired daily by those of you who create with these mediums.

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Why do I create....hmmm...I think that it's just in my makeup.  I have been creating and sketching since I was a child.  In college I studied painting and went on to teach.  I write because I create.  And I publish this blog to connect with people I would otherwise not be able to meet.  This blog has been one of the most inspiring experiences in my creative process.  To not only have an outlet to share and get feedback but to learn from so many creative bloggers  has completely enriched my life.

4.  How does my writing/creating process work?


I will be honest with you, I have no process.  With 3 little ones to chase after and 2 more during the school year that I watch in my home, I create and write when I can.  My mom has always given me journals as gifts since I was a small child.  These contain drawings and sketches of garden bed ideas, future paintings, and lists of projects that I would like to accomplish.  I also have a visual inspiration board with fabrics, prints, garden photos and whatever else keeps my mind in line with creating.     




So without further ado I would like to pass on this Blog Hop to a few of the MANY bloggers that I admire...  
(Bloggers if you decide to participate please post the week of July 14th)




Happy making, baking, and growing!