Well, almost a year ago I started the construction on our garden courtyards. We got the pavers on July 21, 2014. Jack and I designed the gardens, I did the construction work. We had a general plan in mind, but made a few changes and additions as I went along. So…..thought you’d enjoy a few before and after photos.
Here’s the kitchen garden when we first arrived. One of the first things we had to do was replace the fence, it was more holes than boards.
The kitchen garden now. Please remember, as you go through the blog you can click on the pictures to see them larger. A Vitex Tree is on the left, it had purple blooms in the spring. It will rebloom later in the summer. The red-orange flowers of a Pride of Barbados or Mexican Bird of Paradise are peeking out from behind the Vitex.
Here is the same area from the other end………..
The plants in the lower left corner are Amaryllis. After Christmas Jack suggested we plant them in the garden, they’ll bloom in the spring. Cross Vine is on the trellis. By the end of summer the electrical panel should be pretty much concealed from view. Mexican Butterfly Vine is growing up over the fence on the right. The seed pods are so neat, they look like butterflies. I collect the dried ones and put them on our Christmas tree.
The back yard was a mess, this is after I cleared out most of the bricks and trash strewn about.
Here’s the backyard now. Molly is happily reclined on the resting bench on the left.
This is a more complete view of the planter at the end of the deck. See the blue containers about half way up the long garden……
This is the view of them from above. Isn’t this a neat detail? Jack came up with the idea for the transition between the planting areas.
Coming up from the backyard to the north side of the yard. This is what it looked like when we first arrived. The Boxwoods were the first to go.
The Rose Arbor is a 20 foot long Livestock Panel. We arched it over and anchored it to steel posts. Blue Mist is blooming in the bed on the right, butterflies love it. When you go by they fly up; making you feel like you’re walking through a cloud of butterfly wings. If you enlarge the image you can see the Fountain Courtyard.
The trellis on the fence of the Fountain Courtyard is another Livestock Panel. Confederate Jasmine is growing up the wall, eventually it will drape over. When it blooms in April and May the fragrance is amazing.
The walk from the Fountain level curves up to the ramp to the deck.
The area alongside the house outside the gate opening to the deck was also pretty much a disaster.
I moved the lost rocks and made a planter. It’s much more inviting now, what do you think?
I was so thrilled our new home had a small barn for all of my garden stuff. However, it did need some work.
New doors and a few pavers make a huge difference. I love geckos, Jack surprised me with these. Aren’t they cute? Cross Vine is planted on the trellis under the window, it’s a continuation of the one that conceals the utility meters. When it blooms the Hummingbirds will flock to the orange blossoms. Molly and Sissie are going to go nuts, watching them from the window sill of our bedroom.
The steps coming down from the deck end up on this curved patio that starts the mulched walkway to the barn. WHEW!!!! The heavy construction is done. Now I can just play in the garden; deadheading and watering. We can enjoy some porch sitting and plain relaxing. Looks like Molly has gotten the hang of it already! Hugs,
Mikki Senkarik 