Outdoor Living Spaces
LESSONS FROM CHARLESTON S.C.
No cameras in the gardens! The only photography allowed was from the public sidewalk. Still there are many lessons to be learned.
All the gardens are small, tiny in fact, some no larger than a postage stamp.
In small gardens, design is more important than it is in larger landscapes; for here, there is a concentrated use of space. Also, because the space is limited and seen all at once, the details & planting must be faultless.
Consider the ground plane, it is significant in all seasons. Below, variety in materials & texture. This is a driveway.
With a little imagination —- garden by day, parking at night.
There should always be a focal point to lead the eye.
Reinforce the design of beds with edging.
Keep the planting simple,
And finally.. co-ordinate…
THIS ‘N’ THAT…
This is the busiest season in and about the garden.
Seedlings must be nurtured in the house,
the semi-finished Bothy is being organised… with a nod to its previous tenants.
Weeds are rampant and everything needs attention at once!
Still, the garden is beautiful and feeds my soul.
The potager,is putting forth such succulent delights as ‘Gourmet Lettuce Mix’ ,’ Italian Kale’ & ‘Red Mesclun Mix’.
Finally the arbor has found its home. Poor thing , one has moved her about so often…
I like the way it ties into the Bothy. Evergreens will be planted on both sides of the arbor, forming a hedge. This will serve as the entrance to the Potager and the end of the ‘Pleasure Garden” (so Edwardian don’t you think?)
© all photos 2011
NATURE’S MASTERPIECES
These are some of nature’s masterpieces. Every bit as beautiful as roses… don’t you think?
REV. JOHN DRAYTON 
MAGNOLIAEFLORA
TAYLOR’S PERFECTION 
WHITE EMPRESS
ROSE DAWN
BETTY SHEFFIELD
The above Camellias all reside in the ‘Circle of Friends.’
Just a thought… there needs to be a larger more interesting focal point there.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Pointing to the car port at our first meeting, Ms. H. said… 
“We will get rid of that eyesore.” (below)
After surveying the property, I saw that this side door (very close to the kitchen) was the only access to the garden. There was no back door.
“Wait” I said “I think we can use this”
So I designed an outdoor space for dining, with privacy from the street and access to the garden.
A brick semi circular patio completes the space.
Even Mr. H loved it.
© All photos & text 2010
IN THE GARDEN…AT LAST
The heat has finally broken (low 90’s) and the humidity has dropped. Early this morning I chose a project from my ever-growing list of things to do in the garden and out I went!
The project is the ‘Circle of Friends’ What is needed here are a few finishing touches.
Today I pulled string and arranged the brick to line the path that leads to and from the Circle of friends. Next will be the landscape fabric, crushed stone & pea gravel, and finally painting the furniture.
This area is so peaceful, it is one of my favorite spaces in the garden. Arranged in the shape of an oval… punctuated by four variegated Boxwoods, it suggests finality and invites repose.
It sits under a wonderful canopy that allows dappled light and provides perfect conditions for both camellias & hydrangeas to flourish. In this case the plants both create the space and embellish it.
While I had hoped for a carpet of moss, That idea has been abandoned as impractical. The seating is not all I wished for but it is comfortable and affordable and when painted BLACK it will recede nicely. Then all that is needed is a groundcover.
I just might put a check mark next to one project this summer.
© All photos & text 2010
HAVE A SEAT
One essential element needed in a garden is a place to rest, both the eye and the body.
Above, Luytens’ bench ‘Breaking Wave’ as focal point at the end of this axis. The strong rectilinear design draws the eye immediately to the bench.
Notice that the hedge has been clipped to mimic the shape of the back, thus reinforcing the design and creating unity. Superb!
This rectangular bench fits perfectly into this space. See the straight hedge behind ( needs some pruning) and the upright plants on either side . Notice too, that the beds between which it sits, are also rectilinear.
Another example of a bench perfectly suited to its enviornment. The repetition of shapes in several elements creates harmony. Circles in bench, pond & surrounding pots. The upright shrubs are also pruned into circular shapes.
A perfect fit! The niche is pruned in the shape of the bench.
So HARMONY is just as important as CONTRAST in landscape design.
(Benches are mostly used by visitors. Gardeners are much too busy.)
© All photos & text 2010
Challenge
Some sites are not conducive to gardenmaking. It takes great skill and determination to build a garden under such challenging circumstances…… such is the case with the garden that a friend created.
In front, she created a wonderful perennial border with enough evergreen shrubs & small trees to give structure and interest in winter.
The huge challenge was the back. Like so many homes in the Piedmont, it was built on a slope. A very steep slope.
Here is what she did.
A gracious, inviting entrance abuts a seating area …
Supported by terraced stone walls…
the lowest of which houses a small pond. (below)
Below, looking DOWN into the garden.
To compound the problem, her house was downhill from her neighbour. Drainage was a nightmare. So…she incorporated a dry steam into her design to channel the water.
She used river rock for the most natural appearance and the stones are substantial enough not to be moved by the rushing water.
Stepping stones lead the way through inspired plantings …
with touches of whimsy and surprises tucked in when least expected.
She also has some very good ideas for planting pots…
But that is another post. Thanks for the lovely visit.
© All photos & text 2010
MEANWHILE, back in the garden…
The hydrangeas are at their peak. This year they are particularly beautiful having benefitted from a long cold winter.
Hydrangea macrophylla (unknown) on left & Hydrangea macrophylla ‘ Lilacina’ above
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’ is non-stop hose in hose flowers.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ on left and Hydrangea macrophylla ‘White Wave’ (above)
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Hayes Starburst’ a variation of the native found by Hayes Jackson.
As a result of last weeks garden tour, I have added a pot to the Circle of Friends.
Much better. Someplace for the eye to rest.
PORTRAITS:
Above Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Jogasaki’ Below, Hydrangea serrata ‘ Beni Gaku’
The stunning Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Geoffrey Chaudbund’
And the mysterious “From Penny’s back door” If anyone can ID this I would appreciate it.
© All photos and text 2010
MORE GREAT IDEAS
That Brilliant idea in my last post was that of Robert Meaders’, architect extraordinaire. Also seen in his garden…
A welcoming collection of pots,
an urn, perfectly placed in a border.
Another pot, that echoes the foliage of the hostas and the hydrangeas beyond.
Many other delightful & unique features make this garden truly special.
Thank you Robert.
©All photos and text 2010
BRILLIANT IDEA!
GARDEN TOUR
Yesterday I ventured into Atlanta for one of the annual garden tours.
This year the majority of gardens were small urban spaces, well-appointed for outdoor living.
Above, a comfortable chaise in shade for reading and listening to the sound of the waterfall (below).
Festoons of ivy grace an otherwise nondescript wall along a driveway.
Lushly planted window boxes.
And below, a private putting green!
I will share more highlights during the week.