Some time ago I remember reading that light colours draw the eye and if placed say at the bottom of the garden can make it appear longer or further away.A year or two ago I bought two Gleditsia trees which Mike planted either side of the bottom steps. With a Leyland cyprus hedge behind I thought the contrast would be good.
Some years ago a neighbour gave me many pots and plants before she and her husband moved away. The large pot at the bottom was one of them. It came with a Phormium for Mike knowing that he would like it. The year Julie died sadly long before her time the Phormium flowered superbly. Since it has declined each year until the snow this year nearly finished it off. The small piece left will be nurtured as best I can. However as the Acer needed a new home ( I have forgotten how to spell its name Shwa... It's too dark to look and I couldn't find in Google.) I thought it would be a good place for it especially as it was another plant from Julie.
This is the view the Acer has so I am hoping it will enjoy it's new home. I especially hope it doesn't get too much sun.
So a view down the garden seems to work with the three lovely lime like green trees. Shame about the propagating frame, but I do try to cram more in this small garden than I can find room for. I remember Julie who was a garden designer and had an amazingly beautiful but immaculate garden saying 'Yes lots going on but not quite getting there.' Hmm! I think she would still say the same 5 years later.
Josephine is for Catherine at A Gardener in Progress something for you to look forward too.
Josephine flowering in the hedge of Jasmine and Goldfinch Rambling Rose with Clematis Marie Boisselot to the left. Yet another job for my list is to cut back the Jasmine or else we will have no where to sit and drink tea. As if there's time for that!My final photo had to be HF Young again because I liked it so much. Grown from a one year old seedling that Dad bought me it has many buds waiting to open.
I see what you mean about pots. Your gaarden is beautiful. I can't wait 'till mine gets some lived in personality.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, there's no stopping you, is there? I have trouble keeping up with your posting.
ReplyDeleteYour H.F.Young looks a lot healthier than mine. Nice semi-cupped flowers.
I am enjoying your garden views. That kind of picture is not easy to take I find.
You are right: the contrast of the lime coloured acer with the dark hedge is very striking. I have a metasequoia glyptostroboides ( could be a syllable missing there) 'Gold Rush' in a tub with the same colour leaves. Keep moving it to find a good background; so far without success.
It is a great idea to draw the eye. I love clematis too-it looks nice peeking over the picket fence.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Everything is so wonderful looking. I love your gardens so full and busy. Hope my Josephine likes it's new home - it didn't seem to be very happy so we moved her last fall. She's growing good so hopefully blooms will be great too!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a hard time getting around with being outside working so much but I'm trying!
I love the color of the trees, and it really does draw your eye towards it. The Acer looks perfect in its new home. I'm sure your friend Julie would be very happy, and I think she would love your garden. I really like what's going on there.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing pictures of you beautiful Josephine. I love how she grows in the hedge, the flowers look huge!
Your clematis from your Dad is very pretty too!
I had to enlarge the third picture to have a good look at everything, so many intersting plants and views. I like the subtle striations down the middle of the petals of HF Young. The Jasmine looks like its already claimed first seat on the bench, and it might be going after your tea next.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to get up and read all these lovely comments. I dashed down the garden to find out the name of the Acer, Shirasawanum and whilst I was looking the Gleditsia triacanthos Sunburst.
ReplyDeleteClaudia Thank you
Joco Yes it is a new interest to me blogging and as you can read on my blog after being unable to garden properly due to Lyme Disease now I am so much better I am enjoying life and my garden immensely. Hmm! garden views a bit dissapointing I can't get the detail I would like. It took some time improving my close ups so I must keep practising on the views such a shame they really don't do justice. I must see if Francis leaves any hints on her blog.I have tried landscape and auto, zoom and no zoom. Yes I know what you mean about moving plants and not just the ones in pots.
Carolyn Yes it does seem to work. The fences were made by Mike using roofing lathes bought in bulk so cheaper. It comes already tanalised so no need to treat although ours has been over the years. I think it is so much nicer than ones you buy ready made. The top one was to stop the children falling off the terrace the next one was just because I loved the idea of making designated areas. Also new planting opportunities.
RainGardener I have the same problem with an Arctic Queen it really struggles even since I moved it.
Catherine Thank you
Northern Shade Yes isn't it good to be able to enlarge photos it has taken some time and help from blogging friends to get there. Now I am spoilt for choice ground elder/ buttercups gone rampant or trimming the Jasmine what a conundrum.
A very interesting post. I agree completely about paleness drawing the eye, especially if against a dark background. I think your potted acer works brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteIt is piquantly moving to have growing plants from people who are no longer around themselves.
I love your HF Young! I don't normally like large-flowered clematis for some reason but I like that one. Partly because it's a favourite colour of mine.
Hi Emily yes plant associations make gardening even more interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf you like hF Young then you may also like Prince Charles a similar blue but grown like a Vitecella although flowers are not as big as HF Young but bigger than most Vitecella's It is similar in behaviour to Comptesse de Bouchaud Pink another favourite but one that accedentally got pulled out last year although thankfully it is making a comeback. Both have featured in my 2nd post in February I think it was.
Hi Joanne
ReplyDeleteYour garden can truly be described as cottage!
I don't think you need be concerned about cramming too much in as that's half the charm.
The Acer has a nice view.
I enjoyed your Hosta post by the way. I'd grow loads if it wasn't for the millions of slugs and snails we have here.
Rob
Rob Thanks compliments gratefully accepted. I too have a constant battle with slugs and snails. Also lilly beetle. A first today when I saw Mike pick a lilly beetle off and stand on it. How many years has it taken, probably nearly 30 since I started growing lillies in pots
ReplyDeleteI think you are right the Acer does make an excellent focal point and really draws the eye round down the garden
ReplyDeleteThe gleditsias and acer look just right there Joanne - propagating frame, what propagating frame ? :)
ReplyDeletePatientgardener and Anna glad you like them.
ReplyDeleteChelsea tonight said you must only move acer's in their dormant season. Still slipping it out of a small pot into a big pot shouldn't be a problem, after all they do much more risky things in the show gardens.
Drawing the eye it certainly does. A nice look around at the garden, so lovely and lush.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Frances Thank you for your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteHi again Joanne,
ReplyDeleteGreat pics of your unusual trees and garden. Also I love that clematis. When I am ready to seriously try some more, I will talk to your first! :) You have to be the clematis queen! :)
Pauline
Pauline Thank you for the compliment. I am sorry I have added so much to your back list of blogs I seem to be so busy I have got behind in reading blogs.
ReplyDelete