For most of this year I have felt rather disconnected with our middle patio.
It got damaged by fire last year and was replanted early this year, I am, however, pleased overall with the changes and the new plants we've put in.
Other parts of the garden that were rehabilitated post inferno I'm really pleased with and think looks better now like the jungle hut and the jungle area which now has more tree ferns in it. The middle patio however, although new plants have been put in have lost the height, maturity, and lushness that it used have. And consequent to that the sense of privacy the area used to have.
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| How it was summer of 2012 |
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| March 2014 |
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| March 2014 |
Now the area looked squat compared to how it was before. You can now see the newly painted fences and you can see beyond that too. Plus if you can see beyond that into the neighbours then it feels that they can see you too. Not to mention the view of those burnt trees that the owners have no extra funds to get taken down (more like it doesn't bother them so why make the effort).
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| June 2014 |
The garden is looking increasingly autumnal as we approach November but on the whole most parts still looks lush and leafy. When I ventured on to the middle patio this morning I noticed how lush the area is looking. And then looked up and noted how tall a lot of the new plants have become.
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| Today... |
And then I stepped back and thought to myself how much better the area is looking now, with the plants taller and the planting lush, almost as lush as how it was before.
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| Amicia zygomeris in bloom |
Almost but not quite but at least much better than it was only a couple or so months ago.
Most important of all, seeing most of the plants gain height I felt a sense of hope, a sense of spark and start of re-connection to this area. We may be entering winter and most of the lushness will be gone but that's alright and is to be expected. But most of the height at least will be back next year and even more so.
Hope in the height, that this area will by lush and feeling private again. And that sense of connection will be fully restored.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I think plants may sometimes recover more quickly after a trauma than their gardeners. By next spring I suspect you won't be able to even see your neighbor's burnt trees. (How could they not care? But I have learned that people have different priorities!) Your red arbor looks fabulous with the beginnings of fall color around it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debs :) funny enough the events in the garden last didn't really sink in until early this year when we actually cleared and replanted the area. Just need to be patient now.
DeleteIt must have been hard starting over, but I think it looks really, really fantastic and lush. Everything looks established and full! Hopefully you fall in love with it again as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, we'll get there again. It was really uplifting to see the middle patio looking full again, a preview on how it will be again next year and beyond.
DeleteI know it's hard not to draw comparisons but I think the growth of your middle garden is impressive given the relatively short period since the fire. It already has a lush feel to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that Kris :) patience is what's mostly needed now, we'll get there again if not better
DeleteI'm so glad you're feeling that connection if even a little. While I've never been through what you guys have I do know that feeling, and it's not a good one. 20015 will be magical!
ReplyDeleteSo now a question, what is the plant shown in both the first image and the one captioned "today" - it's in between the dark canna leaves and the ensete leaves, with zig zag leaves?
Thanks Loree! I know you can relate as you've probably felt the same when the hedge was removed and had to replant the area but have to say that very area of yours is looking fab already! The plant is Sonchus fruticosus, I think you may have that one already :)
DeleteAh, thank you! Mine is Sonchus canariensis so close. And your right, for awhile it felt like it wasn't my garden at all...
DeleteIt's all coming back to you now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxoj-tDDIU Glad that you're feeling a bit more connected to to that part of your garden which looks stunningly beautiful to me! I have the same question as Loree about that plant!
ReplyDeleteThat's really lovely Peter, thank you :) the plant is Sonchus fruticosus, chances are you may have one already or at least can get one easily there
DeleteIt's different to what it was before but you have achieved great results in such a short time. I think gardeners often look at what needs doing rather than just seeing it how it is. Having the red pergola back is great as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Missy, and yes I agree with you that often it's the gardener that fixates too much on what needs doing rather than the result that's already there :)
DeleteLooking fantastic! I know we all have very high expectations when viewing our own gardens, but next year you won't even remember that there are neighbors over there. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like seeing that I'm not the only one who asks visitors to push a plant out of the way if they want to sit down. :)
Thanks Alan and hopefully that would be the case :) garden visitors get used to the idea very quickly that they'd have to compete with plants even on places to sit
DeleteWhat a lovely little jungle. It did grow in very well I am happy you are reconnecting. The red pergola is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurin! That red pergola is one of my favourite structures in the garden :)
DeleteLooking great guys- can I ask what the red leaved tree is in the photo underneath the photo of the Amicia?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks
Owen
Thanks Owen! The tree is Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' :)
DeleteIt's amazing how quickly everything has recovered - I suppose our good summer has really helped with your jungly loving plants :)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely did Michelle :) last summer was one of the best summers we've had in recent years
Deleteso weird...I'm thinking of fences and bare boundaries too this fall. To my eye this area looks wonderful. very fresh. I really want to bring in calla lilies next year, so your post was a gorgeous reminder of their stately presence.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise! That calla lily is White Giant, a fabulous large growing one :)
DeleteI can honestly say that looking at it now I would never know what had happened. Next year when it fills out even more it will be a jungle again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica, we certainly hope so :) be nice to get more height again especially
DeleteStop moaning :-) you got a new hut and loads of other stuff after the fire and it all looks great to me- Lush gone mad- a cornucopia of lushness. I know you like the word lush.
ReplyDeleteOk I will Don :) and yes I do love the word lush!
DeleteWow! it has grown a lot!!! It looks very nice :) congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa :)
DeleteFortunate that that disconnect came at a time when you were almost too busy to notice. Our gardens do some surprising things when our backs are turned.
ReplyDeleteTrue Ricki, and in a way the house renovation cushioned us from the magnitude of the garden fire, we got so busy with it we didn't have the time to dwell on it then
DeleteGreat mix of exotic plants and foliage - just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI think you have achieved miracles, post fire, but that loss of mature lushness must hit home, I'm glad you garden with so many plants that reward you with fast growth, and that you begin to see the promise of renewed connection. And privacy...
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