Alan's Garden

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.

The clumps of blue bells are of the Canterbury bells family.

Cotoneaster and andromeda

The cotoneaster is sometimes called the burglar plant because its spiky form is often planted under windows to deter intruders.

Conifer being trained into pompom style

Canterbury bells, euonymus, cotoneaster berries, Oregan grape, and unknown leaf.

Skimmia Japonica 'Rubella'

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.

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star', Eucalyptus, and viburnum

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 ...

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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