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"The Haven " (1)

david

By david

33 comments


Recently, I “adopted” a second garden, belonging to a work colleague, with a view to returning it to a fair state of display, and developing the various areas, which could allow for “mini themes”, such as “Woodland”, “Riverbank”, “Oriental”, and so on.

This was this afternoon, after I had cleared the borders of knee-high Ground Elder and Celandine, and spent two hours on the end of a petrol lawnmower.

Hmmm! Nothing too spectacular was found. An “ancient” clump of Kniphofia (Red Hot pokers). The original plant had died eras ago, but there are plenty of offsets, so have transplanted a few elsewhere.Delphiniums, orange Welsh Poppies, an English Laurel, and……….


Unfurling Ferns

Found quite a number of these, which I have potted up for transplanting into the “Hostalry/Fernery/Woodland Walk to Nowhere”

A first “project” is to screen off the one place where the main sitting area can be viewed by walkers in the lane beyond the wall. On the garden side, the dry-stone wall is over 5ft high; but, on the lane side, the wall is only 4 ft high. Time, I thought, to raid the woodpile……….


The woodpile extends far beyond this, and I found enough apple branches to plant an orchard. I’ve decided to use these to create a trellis framework for cilimbers to screen this area from the lane, as they will make a “rustic” trellis, more in keeping with the garden, as well as the elder and lilac shrubs through which it, and the climbers, will weave.

I can add to the trellis as I go along. On Monday, we’re going to a local GC to see what we can find to grow up and along this. I would be very happy to plant up Clematis montana or Russian Vine – something which will grow quickly and need little attention.

Incidentally, this area will also be the site for a “Walk to Nowhere”. Had to clear the base of the wall of lots of debris, including 3 building sand bags filled with broken slate, which had been intended as a mulch on other borders around the cottage. Ah, well, the slate chips do match the house roof, and may help keep down the weeds – so, those bags were barrowed to new destinations………..

This border certainly does look a lot better now with the slate mulch over membrane, but, I think, needs some softening at the edges.


I adore these swan sculptures, right down to their webbed feet!

Looking forward to Monday, and our jaunt to the Garden Centre, which will break up the continuing clearing of the ground elder, celandine, etc.

My favourite view right now, with the bluebells.

PS. Have decided to create another “album” in my Garden section for diary pics of my adopted garden. I shall call it “The Haven” (Thanks, Simplylyn and Neellan :-D).
If I post pics in my gallery, I shall title them with the same name.

Thank You all for your support, good wishes, and tips :-)))

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Previous post: Captain's Blog (8) "A Safe Haven"

Next post: Captain's Blog (9) " Countin' me Treasures"



Comments

 

Oh David, what a fabulous place to work, I love your rustic trellis as it looks, and is, so natural. The swans are just beautiful too. Love the broken slate mulch. If I were closer I'd volunteer as your assistant in such a lovely garden !

22 May, 2010

 

What a challenge!!!!!!!!!!...go for it.....and good luck....xx

22 May, 2010

 

It looks wonderful David love the structure for the climbers, honey suckle will grow quite fast and no tending needed, you can have an aroma while gardening near to it. It all looks lovely love the broken slate shows it off a treat the swans too.

22 May, 2010

 

How lovely to be able to put your mark on this beautiful garden David, and it shows that you are really enjoying it. I am sure your work colleague must be thrilled with what you are doing too.

22 May, 2010

 

Wow you have acheived so much already I just love the swans sailing on their slate sea fabulous! lovely rustic trellis atop the wall you have plenty of branches to choose from there!! lucky colleague to have your input not to mention spadework and inspiration :o)

22 May, 2010

 

your colleague is a very lucky guy ,I like the pic with the bluebells ,actually I like them all .

23 May, 2010

 

Looks fabulous David and with your zest and bountiful enthusiasm for what you do, I have NO doubt thaty this, like your own garden, will be another roaring success and I wait with bated breath to see the continuation of what already appears, to be a passionate project for you.

Nice one Dave!!!

23 May, 2010

 

I want those swans!!! they are beautifully done very graceful, and well done you looks fab already.

23 May, 2010

 

I waqnt them, too, Sk! :-D)
Many Thanks again, everyone! :-))
My colleague just texted me to say that she has been to the GC and got some plants for tomorrow. Apparently, her OH was only too happy to take her and let her buy some, because I saved him 2 hours of mowing - LOL!! :-))

23 May, 2010

 

What an exciting project! This garden is beautiful and orderly without being "in your face". What a sanctuary and haven of calm it seems to be. I can imagine Tai Chi on that lawn and the swans are a brilliant enhancement.
Well done and thank you for sharing it with us.

23 May, 2010

 

Hi Felinfan!
Hmm, your idea of Tai Chi on the lawn sounds good, especially as there are windchimes of various types, including tubular metal and bamboo, hanging in varoius places. They make a lovely, peaceful sound. :-))

24 May, 2010

 

how wonderfull david to have a second garden to do, i love the swans to, wouldnt mind them flying into my garden hahha

24 May, 2010

 

love the swan's ,look so real as if they just landed . Ur work is really coming on looks beautiful and u have given me an idea 4 an arch which i was wanting to do in rustic style but not sure how ,i have a lot of wood so gona have a go . if it looks any gud i,ll put a pic on happy gardening

24 May, 2010

 

Too heavy to launch into the air, Sandra! :-(( Loving this garden! :-))

Go for it, Cristina! here's,perhaps, a little cheat. You can bind the branches more easily and quickly by using those plastic cable ties, or, at least, use some in the first instance to get the branches in place, then use twine to fix properly. I am lucky, as I got a whole lot of those cable ties for free. Makes it a lot quicker! Am all for re-using stuff around the garden.

Let me know when you've made yours? :-))

24 May, 2010

 

Ah Ah David, I`ve got a couple of bags of that slate which was given to me but was unsure of how it would look in a naturalized setting, thanks to your pic have now decided to use it. Shall wait till about October when I can clear the bed and re-vamp. Thanks for the look see. Keep up the stirling work your doing, and we can pinch a few more of your ideas.

25 May, 2010

 

Glad that you found this a help, Stroller. Of course, the slate will become a better colour once weathered. ;-)

25 May, 2010

 

will do david and yes we like to reuse stuff as well .

25 May, 2010

 

That will be great, Cristina Looking forward to seeing your arch pic(s). Doesn't matter what the structure ends up like, as will be covered with plants anyway!

:-))

25 May, 2010

 

yes thats wot o.h. says lol will have a go at week end as got to work argggg lol enjoy

26 May, 2010

 

Those swans are fab David, it is looking so good, pleasedyou are enjoying your extra garden.......

26 May, 2010

 

wow! I am sooo impressed! Your colleague must think they have a whole new garden! This looks really amazing already and as for the rustic trellis...inspired! If I'd had that above my fence it would have made screening the neighbours a lot quicker! Well done David, your colleague must be made up! Enjoy! :))

26 May, 2010

 

You've done a good body of work there already, David - it looks great! If you were over here you could certainly 'adopt' my yard and whip it into shape, lol!

26 May, 2010

 

Hope that work is not too painful, Cristina - I'm working the next 3 days, too :-((

Really liking this project, Lincslass :-))

Many Thanks, Karen. I think that they are enjoying the way I can see the re-use of their "waste". When they asked how many treliis panels to get, I was "horrified". They would never have blended in! Subsequently, they were delighted to buy the climbers for this spot, and some extra plants, too. :-))

From what I see of your yard, Grammazoo, it looks fab as is! :-))

26 May, 2010

 

What a fantastic place to work, so inspirational, well done with what you have done so far.

27 May, 2010

 

looks like your really getting your teeth into this garden david its looking good - hope your enjoying it- just catchin up i`m abit behind

28 May, 2010

 

you have given me the most fantastic idea!! I have a bush garden (Australia) and not enough room to grow the veg i want - they are spotted all around the garden at the moment in odd places where the conditions are right - BUT - I have neighbors who dont like to garden ... I wonder if any of them would like me to make a veg garden and share the produce as a token rent ...

28 May, 2010

 

I meant a veg garden on their land - which I'm sure you worked out LOL

28 May, 2010

 

Really enjoying it Dd and Viv! Also they gave me a payrise already! :-))

That's an excellent idea, Cate. Some people do that over here. Nothing to be lost by asking around. They would be mad to refuse, wouldn't they? I hope to see you with a veggy plot going, soon. :-))

28 May, 2010

amy
Amy
 

Wow David , I have enough problems looking after one garden , ' The Haven '
is very lucky to have you and your expertise and planning ideas .. I love the trellis work and the swans ..... .. it's taking shape already ... :o))

10 Jun, 2010

 

Aw, Thanks, Amy! :-))

10 Jun, 2010

 

i decided to start at the begining David....your creative talents have been waiting for such a challenge. i am soo looking forward to seeing what you have alreadt dine there. as Amy says the trellis is lovely. well done you..:-)

29 Sep, 2010

 

Many Thanks, Sandra. Quite a few developments since I started on this place. The owners have become very pro-active now, which is great, and a big help. Should be posting another update soon. :-))

30 Sep, 2010

 

i look forward to it...

30 Sep, 2010

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