I thought a garden chat and photo thread would be a good idea.
This way, we have a space to share current pictures and discuss dandelions and other plants.
This way, we have a space to share current pictures and discuss dandelions and other plants.
P
pagoni20207 Jul 2020 10:36Climbee schrieb:
So, the vacation is over – but it wasn’t really that relaxing after all. The idea of having no contractors in the house didn’t quite work out...
On the bright side, the landscaping is almost finished. Last Thursday, we also picked up the entrance step from the stonemason, and if we’re really lucky, it will be installed this week, giving us a truly impressive entrance! It’s the same stone as our kitchen countertop (shell limestone) with the same edge finish. We’re excited!
First, here are a few pictures of the now finally truly finished terrace:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200624_121657.jpg"]49013[/ATTACH][ATTACH alt="IMG_20200629_192316.jpg"]49014[/ATTACH]
Now no one can look onto our terrace anymore!
For the stairs, we still have a temporary solution. The final stairs will be made of steel and granite and will take another 5–7 weeks or so. Meanwhile, my husband crafted a makeshift wooden staircase from leftover wood, which serves its purpose well:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200630_130840.jpg"]49016[/ATTACH]
A little proof of our neighbor’s fully developed paranoia:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200629_192437.jpg"]49017[/ATTACH]
We had just finished the railing when this willow mat was amateurishly attached to the chain-link fence so that we absolutely would never, ever be able to look onto the “sacred” property. Which, of course, we do constantly, especially because we often hang out in front of the carport under the terrace—exactly where this mat is now.
To complete the schizophrenia: the neighboring property is a corner lot with two sides facing the street – from every centimeter of street, ANYONE can easily look straight into the house without much trouble.
But the 1.2m (4 feet) beside our carport apparently seriously disturbed their privacy.
You really can’t understand it – we just shook our heads. But when our gardener came by to deliver the last perennials, he almost flipped out: “What is that? It looks terrible!!!”
Yeah, it’s not exactly pretty, but since we rarely stay in that part of the garden and don’t have a direct view of it either, it doesn’t bother us for now. We plan to plant a climbing rose on the wall next to the railing, and the perennials in front will grow taller, so it will become even less noticeable.
The last part of the facade and the associated sliding door are also finished!
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200629_192234.jpg"]49018[/ATTACH]
Now we don’t have to look at the trash bins while sitting outside anymore.
Something we do again and again:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200627_095456.jpg"]49019[/ATTACH]
And it’s already blooming! Our hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ has really grown and is flowering like an old pro:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200706_141150.jpg"]49020[/ATTACH]
(as you can see, I’m quite skilled at photographing with my fingers...)
The geranium ‘Rozanne’ is also flowering beautifully!
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200706_141203.jpg"]49021[/ATTACH]
My only rose so far brings me joy:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200706_141326.jpg"]49023[/ATTACH]
Our velvet hydrangea, planted just a few weeks ago, has lots of flower buds. I’m especially looking forward to its blooms:
[ATTACH alt="IMG_20200706_141214.jpg"]49022[/ATTACH] It looks very nice, cozy… evenings with subtle lighting, music… liverwurst sandwich… Really great!
You can tell your gardener that he really has no idea and just doesn’t understand the overall artistic concept of this modern interpretation of the theme:
“Diagonally running downspout on a wooden wall.” Oh dear, I actually like that a lot – I’m going to do the same.
If you promise him that you will connect your entire roof drainage to his downspout, he’ll be your friend forever! Then he’ll need an extra-large rainwater tank, and the border will be sealed.
@Climbee
The perennials will be fine. You just planted them recently.
I think it’s great what you’re making of the small outdoor area. A good example that even the 3m (10 feet) space next to the neighbor’s garage doesn’t have to be an ugly “leftover” area. There is a lot of potential in that space.
The perennials will be fine. You just planted them recently.
I think it’s great what you’re making of the small outdoor area. A good example that even the 3m (10 feet) space next to the neighbor’s garage doesn’t have to be an ugly “leftover” area. There is a lot of potential in that space.
Winniefred7 Jul 2020 13:50The perennials are still very young, as they were planted just this summer. Next year, they will start to show their true potential, and over the years, they will become much more expansive, especially if they are clump-forming species.
I also plan to create a perennial corner from a section of lawn. In the center, I have a Chinese wild rose, with hibiscus planted around the edges. I want to surround them with more perennials because the lawn there serves no real purpose, and we don’t use that area for seating anyway. However, I prefer to do this in the fall, which is the ideal time for planting perennials.
I also plan to create a perennial corner from a section of lawn. In the center, I have a Chinese wild rose, with hibiscus planted around the edges. I want to surround them with more perennials because the lawn there serves no real purpose, and we don’t use that area for seating anyway. However, I prefer to do this in the fall, which is the ideal time for planting perennials.
Yes, I know the perennials are growing. We water them diligently so they don’t dry out – their roots aren’t deep yet, so we have to pamper them a bit. But I’m really curious to see how it will look in two or three years *fidget*
pagoni2020 schrieb:Laughter! Definitely!!! Music! Five minutes later, our paranoid, furious neighbor shows up at our door and rants. Nah, we let the crickets chirp – she can’t say anything against that.
subtle evening lighting, music...
I want to start working on the first part of the approximately 400 sqm (4,300 sq ft) wild growth area this autumn. I plan to install a fence on top of the wall and then plant some flowers directly along the fence just to have some nice blooms.
I’m still deciding which plants to choose. In spring, there was a butterfly garden in the mixed bed, so I’m considering whether to use those perennials or maybe some from the book "Animals Plants."
Behind that, I want to create a path and a wild growth barrier using weed control fabric and bark mulch.
Since we don’t need the slope, we want to maintain it around 1 meter (3 ft) deep in a tidy but wildlife-friendly and natural way. This will provide something pleasant to look at and prevent us from having to trim thorns near the street, stairs, and retaining wall four times a year. The rest of the area should remain as it is. I’m getting used to the quirky blackbirds, dunnocks, and sparrows that already come to the table, the elegant jay, the wren, the squirrels, and the now quite numerous butterflies. It’s important to remember that we cleared almost everything back in 2017.
I’m still deciding which plants to choose. In spring, there was a butterfly garden in the mixed bed, so I’m considering whether to use those perennials or maybe some from the book "Animals Plants."
Behind that, I want to create a path and a wild growth barrier using weed control fabric and bark mulch.
Since we don’t need the slope, we want to maintain it around 1 meter (3 ft) deep in a tidy but wildlife-friendly and natural way. This will provide something pleasant to look at and prevent us from having to trim thorns near the street, stairs, and retaining wall four times a year. The rest of the area should remain as it is. I’m getting used to the quirky blackbirds, dunnocks, and sparrows that already come to the table, the elegant jay, the wren, the squirrels, and the now quite numerous butterflies. It’s important to remember that we cleared almost everything back in 2017.
Sounds good! Looking forward to the photos.
There are several such perennial mixes – as I mentioned, we have "Fire and Flame." This was scientifically developed at a university with a focus on being natural, low-maintenance, and providing continuous blooms. There are many different mixes for various locations and requirements. In autumn, we also add bulbs, but it was simply the wrong time to plant them now.
I also received a bloom calendar that lets me check the names of the plants currently in bloom or, conversely, look forward to what will bloom next month.
My brother just found a blackbird’s nest in his espalier pear tree. He says he’s slowly getting used to being attacked by an agitated blackbird every time he leaves the house *g*. Obviously, she doesn’t learn that he means no harm and keeps defending her nest relentlessly. But well, bad choice of location. I wouldn’t pick a tree right next to a front door!
There are several such perennial mixes – as I mentioned, we have "Fire and Flame." This was scientifically developed at a university with a focus on being natural, low-maintenance, and providing continuous blooms. There are many different mixes for various locations and requirements. In autumn, we also add bulbs, but it was simply the wrong time to plant them now.
I also received a bloom calendar that lets me check the names of the plants currently in bloom or, conversely, look forward to what will bloom next month.
My brother just found a blackbird’s nest in his espalier pear tree. He says he’s slowly getting used to being attacked by an agitated blackbird every time he leaves the house *g*. Obviously, she doesn’t learn that he means no harm and keeps defending her nest relentlessly. But well, bad choice of location. I wouldn’t pick a tree right next to a front door!
Similar topics