Here’s acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ on January 19, 2011, Connecticut style.
A year later, a Carolina coral bark maple is a nice vertical presence next to the platonic steps.
Platonic steps are there to anchor azaleas, native viburnum, ferns and mosses to be planted up the hillside.
They are platonic in that unlike Miss Sinatra’s boots, they are not meant for walking.
Just gawking. Possibly mocking. I think they’re rocking. Back and forth.
The stone-look orbs are cheapies from a box store that just get better with age, made of fiberglass I think. If I could find them I’d buy a lot more.
Here’s the not-so-pretty view from the far side of the pond. We have upstairs neighbors.
I’m not sure what, if anything to do about the view from here.
To the right of the wheelbarrow above is a stacked stone seat. I like the view better from there.
More rocks out back. Standing stones change with every variation in sunlight. Chindo viburnums are planted in back to screen the neighbor’s house.
Copper tubing flowers and Miss Muse are mitigating the emptiness of unplanted beds for now.
The flowers are a little hard to see without a green backdrop. They’re easy to make though: just superglue old cabinet knobs to lengths of the narrow copper tubing they sell at the hardware store.
That’s crested leopard plant, farfugium japonicum ‘Crispata’ planted at the base.
Those same copper blooms January 19, 2011 – one is buried.
Egad.
On a different January 19, our baby prunus mume ‘Pink Panda’ is coming into bloom.
And Miss Muse basks in the afternoon sun.
Platonic steps! I love the name, and the look. The new asylum is coming together beautifully!
Comment by Joseph Tychonievich — January 19, 2012 @ 4:10 pm |
It’s all developing so nicely. I can really see the final vision you have, even as the empty spots still need filling in. Those steps are subtle, but a real inspiration.
Comment by Laurrie — January 19, 2012 @ 4:50 pm |
Love the fact that you have planted your art work first, and how original your copper tubing flowers are! The planting is coming together nicely, must be a bit daunting having such a large bare area to plant up, but the pond area is looking really good already.
Comment by Pauline Mulligan — January 20, 2012 @ 6:00 am |
The copper flowers are a great idea. One even I might be able to pull off. It is great to see things moving along, the bones all visible at this time of the year.
Comment by commonweeder — January 20, 2012 @ 8:45 am |
I adore your sculpture – think I might try and have a go at that, is the copper tubing easy to manipulate. Is it the view of the house you want to hide? What about some miscanthus or tall grasses which could add some movement but not be too blocky?
Comment by patientgardener — January 20, 2012 @ 1:25 pm |
From where you want to sit, and enjoy the view, plant a shrub,nearby in the sightline. Use that trick to block a distant upstairs window. On the boundary it has to be HIGH to make a visual barrier. Would like to sit by your new pond. Has it earned a name yet?
Comment by Elephant's Eye — January 20, 2012 @ 4:10 pm |
I can already sense a wonderful atmosphere in your garden, and I love the pond and the huge standing stone. That first photo is exquisite. Shame about the overlooking neighbours.
Comment by Janet/Plantaliscious — January 22, 2012 @ 10:20 am |
It’s wonderful watching Garden Asylum South take on your garden personality, Cyndy. It’s more interesting every time I get to a virtual visit.
Comment by joenesgarden — January 23, 2012 @ 1:19 pm |
Everything is so beautiful, Cyndy! The pond looks so natural in this setting, as though it has always been there. And I love the copper “flowers”! What a difference between last year and this–you must be enjoying being able to garden year-round.
Comment by Rose — January 24, 2012 @ 8:26 am |