Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTOS! Teri’s garden in New York, revisited

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Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn

We’re visiting Terie Rawns garden in Newfield, New York, again today to take a look at her creative birdbath treatment. Terie says, “Shortly after our house was built it was time to turn our attention to the yard. In 1990 the first garden to take shape was in the middle of the backyard.

After gathering rock from our property, my very first mini rock wall started to take shape. (has been rebuilt since) Creating a garden to camouflage the well-cap and to include the trees made my husband happy…less to mow around. (yes, that was my wash line)
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn

“The ground had a gradual grade so adding a bit of soil to their roots didn’t prove to be a threat to the trees. When it became evident that our cat was not going to allow the birds a drink I placed a purple bowling ball ($3 yard sale find) in the center of the birdbath for added interest.”

A clever way to make lemonade from lemons, Terie! **Check out the captions for more info on the photos**

I case you don’t remember Terie’s stunning garden, click here and here to see her past posts.

Spilling over the wall is red creeping thyme. Behind it, two shades of annual verbena and angelonia. The largest patch of green is Greek oregano. From left to right in the back row is ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, variegated fountain grass, sage, liatris, yellow loosestrife, more sedum, and a young clematis climbing the tree. ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera is center stage.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn
Symba just can’t resist playing in the birdbath. Yarrow, sage and flowering angelonia surround it’s base.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn
Here in central NY, by late June phlox begins to show off. Throughout the summer months I place plant cutting around the bowling ball to highlight the color scheme. Quite often they take root so I can plant them in other gardens. Purple heart and sage look happy for a long time in water!
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn
Positioned in the center of the back yard, I can view this garden while washing dishes. Often I critique my gardens from the windows. Then run right outside to make the changes.  😉
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Terie Rawn

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Comments

  1. duckcovegardening 03/01/2012

    I love your gardens, and the idea of using my husband's old bowling ball in a bird bath is a great idea. Now he won't have to part with it - he can see it when he mows the lawn! The stone wall and color combinations in your gardens are really wonderful - and the clematis will add a nice dimension.

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    meander_michaele 03/01/2012

    It was so inspiring to see the before picture since the other five show how worthwhile your efforts were. What a satisfying and delightful view you have from your kitchen window. I love the idea of placing plant material in the birdbath and then having the bonus of rooted cuttings to turn into more plants to take cuttings to put into the birdbath and on and on...
    The Jack Frost brunnera is gorgeous!

  3. birdwhisperer 03/01/2012

    Each day I am impressed with the wonderful garden pictures I see here, but today I am totally amazed that your pictures could give so much enjoyment I love the idea of using the glass balls and I am impressed with your getting the cat in both pictures, I often borrow pictures to set as my desk top background for the day and the compliments are always worth the effort, your previous pictures were also lovely.Thank you and thank you to fine gardening for this enjoyable moment in my day.

  4. ColleenEm 03/01/2012

    Terie: Once again you are inspiring me to get out there in our little yard and to perform gardening wonders. With my garden art and your inspiration, I hope somewhere down the line to have an oasis in our backyard....we have only been here for four years, so I have plenty of time to make a transformation.

  5. Happily_Gardening 03/01/2012

    Color scheme, plant placement/textures are incredibly soothing...feels like a spa experience! The window made me swoon. Great photo compositions/captures too Teri!
    Now I'm really ready to start my day.

  6. sheilaschultz 03/01/2012

    Love these photos, Terie. Your gardens have so many layers of interest, they are always a pleasure to see.

  7. tractor1 03/01/2012

    Symba looks right at home exploring that wonderful garden. And seeing all that green certainly takes the edge off all the white stuff that has just arrived here in The Catskills. Thank you, Terie and Symba.

  8. KatyS 03/01/2012

    Your garden is so lovely, but these are by far my favorite photos of it! Of all the things that can complete a garden, who would have guessed that, for me in this case, it's a cat and a bowling ball! Thanks for these.

  9. KarinCa 03/01/2012

    Beautiful, creative garden! Thank you especially for including the before picture!!! Whenever I see beautifully arranged gardens I feel like that is not in the cards for me, but seeing what you started with (albeit many years ago), it shows what you can do with little to start. Michele, can we do a series of before/after showcases? I'll contribute myself as soon as I can take some spring time pics (in May) as all my "after" plantings are at best 1-2 years old, so last year's pic won't do.

  10. greengrowler 03/01/2012

    Terie, we share the same love for silver and purple! The design, color, and texture are so harmonious and peaceful....Symba looks peaceful as well (maybe because all the birds have been chased off!!) Great photos, great garden.

  11. terieLR 03/01/2012

    Karin -I really like your idea of before/after showcases. I think I was equally surprised when all these years later, I came across those pictures in an old album. In reality a new garden space matures after just 3 short years of planting. It's a fast investment of time/love.
    I've tried to make Symba understand how important he is today but he ignors me and runs out of the room. (he's such a cat) Thank you all for the great compliments and for loving the bowling ball idea. It has been placed there for 7 years now. When it becomes dull looking I rub a little olive oil on it. Bring them in for northern winters of course.

  12. pattyspencer 03/01/2012

    Love the before and after as well and your cat is beautiful!! I really like all the blends of color you have as well. Really a very pretty garden! I have a bird bath and a stainless steel ball (the size of a bowling ball) I plan on moving the bird bath this year from the north side of the house (where it never gets viewed) to my back deck area - I think I'll put my ball in the bird bath like you! What a neat idea!!

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