Arbour project
By tomboo
13 comments
After a few years of ignoring a forgotten overgrown corner of our garden next to the patio, we decided to clear the overgrown bit, and to create a quiet contemplative corner complete with an Arbour so we could sit and watch the river go by shaded from the sun…..
Here are some views of the overgrown corner:
The overgrown lilac tree which had been badly pruned in the past and suffered because of it, and therefore had to go.
The first stage was to clear the site, which involved a few days of digging up roots etc.
Unfortunately we didn’t take any photos of the actual work at this stage!
Here is the site when it was almost cleared….
Having cleared the site, the next job involved another few days of laying a pathway.
Each re-claimed stone slab was manoevered into place by hand and crowbar, and moved around until we were satisfied with the final result.
Again we neglected to take any photos of this stage until the project was almost finished!
Path and decking all laid, and unfinished Arbour being tried for size prior to staining…
Arbour veiwed from different angles:
The Arbour was then removed for final construction and staining, and herb planting amongst the pebbles began:
Planting up in progress, with some existing plants moved from other areas of the garden, together with a few baby herbs and smellies from the garden centre…
Herbs and plants have been chosen for scent and with an eventual subtle green/grey/purple/lilac/white theme in mind.
Fully stained and completed Arbour back in place:
Pebble and path detail:
View from the Arbour seat
View standing at the side of the Arbour:
Ground level view:
Long view from the steps…
Looking good (we think!). Next stage is to plant some climbers etc to grow up and around the Arbour to naturalise it….
And possibly another longer term project could be a cloud pruned tree at the side of it…..
5 Oct, 2011
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Comments
Lots of hard work there, but well worth the effort. Excellent. How nice to have the river to watch too.
5 Oct, 2011
excellent work, looks fab, what a lovey place to sit..
5 Oct, 2011
You've made a nice job there - all looks great.
5 Oct, 2011
what a beautifull place you have near the river and lovely seating area now, i could sit there for hours watching that river, well done, great job :o))
5 Oct, 2011
What a wonderful use of space - I too could sit there for hours - fantastic.
5 Oct, 2011
Great vision and lovely work, love how you did the stones and planting. It must be so lovely to have a place like that beside a river. The only thing I might have done different as I love lilac so much. I think I would have moved it to the corner behind the bench.
Enjoy your corner.
After a second look as I like what you did so much, I wondered if you have any Daffodils planted over the fence in the grass area? I think a mass planting of Daffs to admire in Spring would be lovely. Any other bulb you like too. Even if you just had some pots to place there would give it something extra special. Just a suggestion.
5 Oct, 2011
How lovely to have somewhere like that to sit, it must be so calming watching the river, you have made a grand job of that area...
5 Oct, 2011
Wow what a lovely place to sit, love what you have done, i bet you wished you'd done it before, well done i love it.
6 Oct, 2011
Thanks for all your kind comments, I appreciate them all!
To Angieindgar.
Unfortunately, because of the way the previous house owners had pruned the lilac tree, it had developed lots of suckers from below and was flowering less and less. So we took advice from experts and removed it. We have talked about planting another lilac by the Arbour, so watch this space.....
And yes, we have daffodils and other bulbs planted at the edge of the grassed area by the river, so spring will bring some more of that particular pleasure again!
6 Oct, 2011
How lovely a comfortable and lovely place to watch the water rippling:)
6 Oct, 2011
Great blog - I always like seeing before and after pictures.
I hope you enjoy your new arbour.
7 Oct, 2011
Recent posts by tomboo
- Update to Arbour Project
29 Aug, 2012
- A spring stroll into town....
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A well worthwhile venture , and one to give you lots of joy , well done .
5 Oct, 2011