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| Timber bamboo in the forefront |
Each time I walk to the bus stop, or the grocery store, from my mother's house in England, I pass Alan's garden. A high fence surrounds the back garden, hiding the botanical delights within, but along the street I pass this magnificent shrubbery, full of textures and color even on a dreary November day. Shades of green and yellow, punctuated with red, blue and silver make a striking contrast. The textures, from soft bamboo to spiky sedge, change with the play of light, shadow and viewing distance.
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| The clumps of blue bells are of the Canterbury bells family. |
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| Cotoneaster and andromeda |
The cotoneaster is sometimes called the burglar plant because its spiky form is often planted under windows to deter intruders.
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| Conifer being trained into pompom style |
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| Canterbury bells, euonymus, cotoneaster berries, Oregan grape, and unknown leaf. |
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| Skimmia Japonica 'Rubella' |
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| Perennial geranium |
A favorite shrub of mine is viburnum and I am delighted to see the remnants of beautiful blossoms remaining here ...
The sunflower stepping-stone is an integral part of the back garden landscape -- on the other side of the fence.
Alan's lawn is perfect. It is surrounded by beautiful curved beds planted with a variety of shrubs and perennial flowers. A large forest fir, abies forrestii, provides shade near the seating area.
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| Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star', Eucalyptus, and viburnum |
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| I love the spiky texture of the phormium tenax purpureum |
A striking feature of Alan's garden are the many beautiful planters, such as these in a corner by his potting shed ...
A winding, gravel path leads to a secluded sitting area ...
The focal point of the garden is a striking blue pot containing the magnolia 'Mother of the Bride'. It is flowering, although it shouldn't at this time of the year ...
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| Mother of the Bride |
I thank Alan for inviting me into his lovely garden. I am sure you will agree with me, dear gardening friends, that his many hours of work have paid off. I am feeling inspired and hope you are, too.
At this Thanksgiving time, I am thankful for all those friends who share my love of gardening!
Love, Pamela x
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