Beth's garden was designed with all five of our senses in mind. As you stroll around the property there are not only delights for the nose and eyes, but interesting textures that make you want to reach out and touch. In her large kitchen garden, there are fresh, sun-ripened vegetables to appeal to the taste buds.
A rain garden, set in a shaded grove of trees, is filled with the soft sounds of wind chimes and pine branches whispering in the breeze.
There is also a spiritual aspect to many of the vignettes. I meant to go back and ask her about the significance of this instillation above, but I forgot to do so. It was too low to be a rustic pergola.
It seems to be a sort of twig Stonehenge, perhaps symbolizing mystery, power and endurance. What do you think?
Nearby is a checkerboard garden of succulents.
If we pass through a long row of trees, we find a charming shed.
A rusted old milkcan becomes a planter by the shed's entrance.
Even an old pair of boots is put to a good purpose.
There are two large ponds on the property. A grouping of plant pots floating in a canoe gives fresh meaning to the term "water garden".
If you look into the top right hand corner of the image you will see the next vignette in the distance.
Even a more formal picket-fenced garden becomes whimsical and unexpected.
This is her potting shed.
An old funnel makes a great hanging basket.
I couldn't resist showing this to you. I love the textural mix of rusted metal spheres
and the "mulch"of pine cones.
A wheelbarrow planter.
In Beth's creative hands, even the smallest gestures can become beautiful.
Fantastic photographs, marvellous climates. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteJennifer, thanks for sharing this tour to Beth's garden! I loved the "Stonehenge", it's nicer than the real one, the pond with a canoe-garden is a great idea!
ReplyDelete"….In Beth's creative hands, even the smallest gestures can become beautiful. " And in your creative hands, your camera captures all the beauty of her garden. What an incredible place Beth's property is. My favourites were the sedum and stones in the rusted milk can and the first few shots of the old table. Thanks, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI really love the succulents planted in the colander. It's creative but logical. How does she water the plants in the canoe? I'd contact her to ask about the branch structure. I'd like to know what it is. She definitely has a very cool garden!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of nice ideas in these photos. Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great garden!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic garden , thanks for showing us. It is charming, quirky and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very creative garden, or should I say gardener? I loved both posts.
ReplyDeleteWow, Beth's garden is simply fantastic! :) So many nice idea, so much inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Wednesday ahead.
I agree with you, even her smallest gesture becomes beautiful, and everything seems to play a role in the interlinkage of every image in her area. I love the way she creates some almost symbolic structures from anything. Lovely
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful...such a creative talent, so many great things and they all fit together so well to create a fascinating effect.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, as always your photos are professional and alluring. However, being the odd one out here, I find the garden so very contrived....while some of the little arrangements and "scenes" might be nice as a solo addition to a garden, it makes me a little nuts to think of the whole property filled with these "sets." Just my two cents and I certainly don't have the garden-cred that most of your readers do...but I know what I like. It's the old argument about topiary in a way. This garden style, in my view, shows too much of the clever gardener's influence. It's about stuff rather than nature. I like a garden that looks like it's barely contained and bucking at any human interference. Keep up the great blogging - if I had an award to give I'd pin one on Three Dogs for sure! I really enjoy your wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth,
DeleteThanks for your kind words about the blog. I show lots of gardens; all of them very different. Not every garden is going to appeal to every person and I welcome the diversity of opinions. Certainly this is a garden with lots of very personal self-expression by the gardener.
Have to agree with Ruth, I feel this is not about the garden and the plants, but about the gardener. For me there were far too many little set pieces around the place saying " look at me" I'm all for art and statuary in the garden, but feel the garden should be the main focus with just a few focal points. Thank goodness we are all different and like different things, it would be a very boring world if we were all the same!
ReplyDeletePauline, This was definitely a very personal garden. As I walked around, I did find that the objects in the garden demanded your attention and spoke to me very much about the woman who put them there.
DeleteIt is interesting reading the two comments above, because it just shows, as Pauline said, how we are all different and like different things. There is no right or wrong, and it is good that we do have different tastes or things could get quite dull! Beth is clearly very artistic, and uses her garden vignettes to express this. I like it. I think it is fun, and to me it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey, I absolutely agree! We are all different and like different things. The world would be a very dull place if that were not true.
DeleteAnd that is why your blog is a standout winner. We are always rewarded with variety and alternative ideas about what defines "garden." The fact that you draw so many comments is also a strength - it exemplifies the the medium. Going way back, I learned most of what I know about gardening from you - and it's great that through your blog here, the exposure continues. When I win the lottery and buy the acreage, I will be ready! :-)
DeleteAs I have said earlier, I love the rustic look and feel of the garden . The garden accessories are picked up from the kitchen which is such a unique concept. Moreover, rather than planting flowers/plants in a conventional tub, the gardener chose little wooden boxes/homes, kitchen accessories , etc. which again speaks of his/her creative talents. The garden opens up to a pond and the addition of colorful doors near the pond really looks good.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes think that just as a mother would dress up her child in various clothes,outfits and accessories,the gardener did the same with the garden. He/she must be devoting a lot of time to the garden and feeling its vibes and loving and decorating it like one would love and decorate one's own baby.
So creative! I love her use of succulents and plan on using a lot more next year. They barely blink when the heat hits.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Love the vignettes. There are some very creative ideas shared here. Love the license plates on the fence, a great way to display them. The pile of pinecones and the rusty metal spheres are a great combination. Curious about how the multi color doors stay standing... are they secured somehow?
ReplyDeleteGreat posting, loved the tour.
Janet, did not peak around the back of the doors, but I am sure that they had supports to keep them upright.
DeleteSuch great creativity! Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteA very inspirational garden indeed. I love seeing personality in the garden.
ReplyDeleteShe is very creative! I really liked the checkerboard. Her entire garden must have been magical to experience, going from one fun thing to another.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is having a VERY VERY good time in her garden. The unusual rustic pergola looks like a place to lie under the stars and listen for the voice of God.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jayne---you can just see the pleasure that the owner gets out of all this. She has a lot of creative energy.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting garden - and such diverse comments from your readers! I particularly enjoyed the pine cone mulch installation and the water garden is fun. What did it feel like to be in the garden?
ReplyDelete