A Landscape in Vignettes: Part 2

I last left you sitting in the shade of some trees in Beth Powell's country garden. Today we will step back into the hot afternoon sun to explore the rest of the garden.

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.

A Landscape in Vignettes: Beth Powell's Country Garden

 

I am sorry there were no new posts earlier in the week. The completion of a big project kept me busy. There has not been a spare moment to take any photographs of my own garden either, but I promise to make up for it next week.

In the meantime, I have a whimsical country to show you.

Beth Powell's garden reveals itself in a series of vignettes. Her garden is expansive and the unconventional groupings of objects and plants are spread out over several acres. Sometimes, while visiting one part of the garden, you will glimpse the next vignette in the distance. Other times, the view is obscured. Then again, you will round a corner and come across a complete surprise. The unexpected nature and creativity of each of the these little scenes is a delight.

There is nothing precious or fussy in Beth's garden. The plants are all tough as nails! There were, for instance,  lots of good-old dependable ditch-daylilies.

On the day of my visit, the grass was so dry and brittle that it crackled underfoot. You could tell from the drooping leaves that the perennials were just as thirsty as the grass, but they were soldiering-on, while the grass had all but gone dormant.

We'll start our tour at the front of the house, and then head out the back.

After we sign into the guest book, we'll go around to the back garden.

There are beautiful clematis by the door.

Love the stars!

And the simple embellishment on the black door!

The purple flowers look amazing against the backdrop of the grey barn boards.

A simple welcome to the back garden.

A mini-rainbow of wheelbarrows. I bet they all get used too.

To the left of the house, there is a large vegetable patch. 

Too bad birds can't read!

Sage in a toolbox planter.

Aren't these plant supports fun?

A rustic support for beans or peas.

It is a hot day, and so for now, we will take a rest in the shade. 

There is still lots more to see! I will meet you back here in a couple of days and we will take a walk around the rest of the garden.

P.S. I will put up the announcement of the book giveaway winners then as well. In the meantime, stay cool!