Liz Reese in Richmond, Virginia has figured out how to enjoy what she has worked so hard to build.
"My perennial garden has been an 11 year work in progress. It ranges from deep wooded shade to full sun. I love the sound of my fountain when sitting by the fire pit and pergola. The stone paths meandering throughout are more of a suggested way to enjoy the colors and scents in each season as I let natural spreading occur."
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Comments
Liz, your gardening journey over the last decade has created a wonderful perennial green picture appealing to all the senses. The pergola and fire pit area obviously gives you great deal of well deserved pleasure. Well done!
That seating area amidst the garden looks wonderful. A daily invite without a doubt. I can see there must be no better way to take in all your garden labors than some moments relaxing there. Love the woodland setting backdrop.
Thanks for sharing.
Wow, Liz, that certainly looks like the ultimate in comfortable and relaxing seating under your handsome pergola. In fact, I'm pretty sure that under the right circumstances, a snooze would sneak up on me that would be impossible to resist. That single clematis bloom caught my eye and made me wonder if it's a newcomer to your garden? I got on a clematis planting kick a few years ago and feel such excitement as each vine offers up its first bloom of the season. Happy continued gardening.
G'day Michaele - Do you often have a 'nanna' nap whilst you relax in your garden?
Ha, I talk a good game about indulging in a garden inspired relaxing snooze but the truth is, esp. during this time of year, I'm addicted to the process of working in the garden. It's all about planting new plants, rearranging old plants, weeding, mulching, etc. I do enjoy an early morning and after dinner walk about... but even those usually end up being work related. April, May and, if we're lucky, some of June has lower humidity but when the sweat starts fogging up my glasses, I wave the white flag of surrender. Then I might find a shady seating area and do a little nodding off.
Michaele, I love your ripper (Aussie slang) turns of phrase e.g. 'when the sweat starts fogging up my glasses'. Upshot - too much on your gardening mind and too much energy to consider a nanna nap!
Truth is, Frank, for those of us who are addicted to gardening in the southeast during the summer, it can be pretty brutal more because of the humidity than the heat. And, sweat rivulets on my glasses is usually the measuring stick to know that the humidity is going to take its toll. I'm sure there are parts of Australia that are much the same with high humidity indexes although your seasons hit the opposite of ours, right?
Yep our sub-tropical areas in northern Australia are very humid e.g. the State of Queensland. So come down under and have a look at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, and then travel down to temperate Victoria where the gardens will knock your socks off (our turn of phrase!) and I can guarantee that your glasses won't fog up and you won't want to take a nap. Cheers
I keep waiting for the Star Trek instant transport thing to be perfected...then maybe I'd get to Australia.
Understand , but no pain no gain!
You've really worked well with your site, LIz. Bravo. Your hardscaping elements really work out well with plants. I bet your nice paths are not only good for strolling and enjoying, but make maintenance a lot easier. I don't often sit and enjoy my garden: maybe I need more seating options!
Not to steal Liz's thunder on her day of sharing, but I want to give a shout-out to our own Sheila Schultz for her excellent container gardening article in the newest issue of Fine Gardening!
Ah, thanks Tim, Laurel and I are pretty darn excited with the article! Whew ;)
Oh, goody, just found my copy in the mailbox and about tripped over my fingers to get to your feature, Sheila. Congrats to you and your daughter for being such a source of inspiration. Love the pot within a pot concept as a solution for making a happier and longer lasting marriage between certain plants that we'd love to play matchmaker with.
Thank you, dear Michaele! I'm so happy you like the article, that means so much!
Nah. Tim, I have sitting spots all over our garden (it seems more for effect, I suppose) and can barely stay in one for 2 minutes before I've spotted something I can work on or get an idea for something that I want to see might work elsewhere. Christine constantly exclaims "you can't just sit still!" It's just your gardening nature (pun?), Tim. The sitting will come into play when we really are forced to slow down...hopefully a long time away though. In the meantime I'm content with the fact that at least it looks inviting, even if I don't take the opportunity much.
That's why I call my garden personality/style "Editor/Proofreader": I constantly look for errors and make corrections. No sitting for me!
Tim: I am sure many of us are the same way. I have been known to stroll through the garden in the moonlight, only to return the next day and make edits based on the "nighttime" look of the garden. I can be a little obsessed (and probably need therapy).
Same with me. Plenty of places to sit, but not one of them showing any signs of wear. Garden addiction is very powerful.
Liz, you've included the most important part of the garden, the appreciation pergola. Now, if you can just keep your eyes open long enough to take in all of your hard work and beautiful plantings.
Liz, your work in progress has paid off by producing a lovely and peaceful place to 'stop and smell the roses'! It must be a pleasure to take a break, relax on the chaise and just enjoy everything around you.
This is stunning, Liz! Some of the pictures look like they should be on the cover some great gardening magazine.
I applaud your hardwork and persistence and determination to make your garden exactly what you wanted it to be.
We so often build seating areas near the house - having your spot down amongst the beautiful garden makes it feel a journey to such a relaxing spot must be a special treat. Liz, your hard work has paid off. Thank you.
This is great Liz! Its wonderful to have deep shade and bright sun to work with. It all looks so lovely and i can almost hear the birds singing! Great paths and a awesome pergola! Have a wonderful summer! Thanks for sharing with us!
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