“My garden is a little over one acre in size, and is surrounded by woods with large pathways, so you can walk and enjoy the various areas. One of these areas consists of the shade garden in front, that is filled with a large hosta collection, along with trillium, daylilies, azaleas and hydrangeas just to name a few. When you transition from the front yard to the back, is when your senses really come alive. You hear the soft sounds of the waterfall, as you approach the zen garden. Once there, you can sit on the bench and relax, while listening to the water and the birds. I hope you like the garden as much as we do!”
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Comments
Good morning Tracie. A woodland garden with gravel and nicely laid out serpentine lines gets me every time. Great job in developing a peaceful space for yourself!
How restful - and well maintained! A lot of work. But I see a playful side. Love the fish swimming in the gravel in what I assume to be the Zen garden. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, my! I am LOVING your garden. A paradise, for sure. You certainly have created a special place. Thank you for sharing with us!
Oh, I do like your garden. It looks so tranquil. I love the spacious calming feeling you have created with the waterfall & small pond, gravel path and open woodland plantings. You have given room for the eye to travel leisurely around your Zen-like space and the mind to wander off into the woods beyond.
Tracie, good morning. Love the beautiful lines traversing your garden. I think the Zen garden is so calming and relaxing. Hopefully there is time to sit and relax. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.
Hi, Tracie, both your front and back garden areas look delightful to work in or sit and enjoy contemplative thoughts. Having a place of your very own to relax and listen to the soothing sounds of birds and moving water is a priceless gift you've given to yourself and I'm sure you are the better for it.
Oh my goodness, it is so peaceful. You've done a wonderful job!
I love how you have created the paths! Everything is just so pretty!
Tracie, what a lovely, peaceful space you have created. You have kept the woodland feel and still incorporated a number of interesting plants. Attached is my attempt to achieve a similar goal. A fellow Michigan gardener.
Hi Dale, how much work is it to keep it raked? It's gorgeous!
Rhonda, it actually only takes about 10 minutes. I built a saw tooth rake that really makes the job go quickly.
This is beautiful, Dale, and really shows off your maple.
The maple is very special for me. I had tried several Japanese maples before this one. It was the first to survive and flourish. It is a blessing.
Dale, your garden looks great. I remember seeing the photos when you started this a couple of years back. The Japanese maple is awesome. Thanks for the update.
Hi Kevin, i am actually planning another minor expansion of the Japanese/zen garden next spring. I will move the zen statue and nearby plantings to another location. I will try to keep the fountain, but the garden is telling me that it needs to be less constricted.
I find it is always enjoyable to expand/redesign garden areas. Gets the creative juices going. Make sure to share photos of the project.
I would say, Dale, that your effort to create a lovely zen oasis has been very successful. And, your pictures show the positive side of gardening in a coldish growing zone...hostas stay fresh and beautiful even if they are growing in full sun. Ha, there would be nothing left but a few sad looking crispy brown leaves if my hostas (zone 6b) were planted in that much sun.
I hadn't thought of that. I know that if I lived in a zone 6 or lower, there would be more plants that I might consider, but that would not necessarily be helpful.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful zen garden Dale. How do you keep the stones so clean?
This has not been an issue. During the spring and summer, not much falls or blows in. In the fall, leaves blow in, but do not accumulate. A simple raking takes care of them. This is a very low maintenance garden area.
More, Tracie more! Can you send in front yard photos? The back is so tranquil!
Yes !!! I like the garden as much as you. Such a lovely destination!
Wow, Traci. What a woodland garden....so serene. Love the gravel - I've been wanting to do something similar in mine. Looks like an amazing space to relax.
What a lovely garden. I, too, want to see more.
What a great garden and property! Your zen garden and stone placement are awesome. I imaging you're out there sweeping out the leaves and detritus on a regular basis! :)
Hi, Traci. I just love your garden and your photography of it. As others have said, the curving pathways, so wide and so inviting, draw me in. I think I can feel a breeze moving in those tall trees. And the Zen garden is such a calming destination. Please send more pictures!
You have created one peaceful space after another... it's all quietly beautiful. A busy day has to become a distant memory when you enter your gardens. Simply lovely.
Oh my, so beautiful and serene! I was disappointed when the pictures ended. Thanks for sharing!
Your woodland garden looks so serene, Tracie. The birdsong must be wonderful first thing in the morning.
Good morning, Tracie. Like others here, I love your woodland garden and the way that you kept it looking soft and natural, letting the woods be the star. That's a hard thing to accomplish for plant lust people as I'm sure you know. I'd love to see more photos of the front garden.
Just beautiful Tracie! I love your walking paths and the sitting areas you have created near the pond. What a beautiful area to just sit and enjoy nature - and all of your hard work. Thank you.
A beautiful Wonderland and it is so clean, so organized and so well designed. Really enjoy your photos and thanks for sharing.
So serene.
Oh my favorite! This is a spectacular woodland garden. I would sit there and "zen" my life away.
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