Blank palate

9 comments

Hello everyone. I’ve just moved here from the US and have inherited
a totally empty terrace garden that includes a patio, one sizable raised bed, and small planting areas around the outside of the patio pavers. The rest is gravel with one small boxwood, and a semingly “tropical” specemin that reminds me of a large “draecena” type plant. It was damaged by the 10 inch snow fall we had in early Feb, and I’ve cut the fronds back almost to the main stem, but it appears that the main stem was severely damaged and I’m not sure it will recuperate. I walk in the park here daily and saw several of these treated in the same way by park personnel. Thats what gave me the idea. We’ll see what happens.

Other than that, there is a wooden arch with honeysuckle growing on it. And that’s it! :) I have a Clematis ‘early sensation’ ready to plant and grow on a tall obilisk, a fuchsia flowered currant to train on the wooden fence, and a berberis darwinii to grow against another area of the fence. On the other side I have planted a small grafted hazel (contorta) for added upright interest as well.

These upright plants will serve as the “back bone” of my garden, and since this a just a first year garden, the bed will be filled with perenials and annuals, with lots of potted plants filling in the empty spaces. I’m creating a “garden room” that will feel very private and hidden away.

This morning I took delivery of a oak half barrel that is s.oon to become a water garden. I love water lillies, rush and similar water plants.

I’ve really been amazed at how many familier plants I’ve seen available here. Since I’m from Oklahoma, I’ve been used to planting a “water saving” garden that will survive droughts and extremely high summer temperatures. Some of the plants used here just won’t grow there at all, so I’m going to enjoy the challange of my new garden home.

I will submit photos soon to show the progress so others can enjoy my efforts.

3 Mar, 2009
5 likes

Comments

Blodyn

Welcome to GoY
Good luck with your new garden. By the way where is 'here' ? - it's obviously somewhere in Britain , but what part ?

3 Mar, 2009

Clarice

Hi & welcome to GOY from me sounds like your garden will look nice, like Hywel said what part of the UK do you live in.

3 Mar, 2009

Arlene

~welcome to GOY ~you will probably find that you get enough rain in Devon to grow what you like~but don't forget to invest in a water butt for our forecast warm dry summer!
in our dreams.! we can but hope!...
Enjoy your new garden and don't forget the Eden project and Heligan are not too far and well worth a visit ~not to mention Carol Kleins garden!

3 Mar, 2009

Pottygardener

Welcome to GOY, look forward to seeing your progress in photo's.

3 Mar, 2009

Spritzhenry

Hi and welcome from me. as well! We are not too far away from you, in Weat Somerset. Wet here too - especially today! It's blowing a gale here and pouring.

We'll be interested in seeing the progress you make in your garden. I just planted C.'Early Sensation' too. I had one last year and loved it - but it met with an untimely death after a rabbit dug it up!

3 Mar, 2009