This garden was slow in being implemented. At the end of a major and lengthy three floor renovation of the apartment, beautifully designed by architect Andrew Wilkinson, the garden was eventually planted early this spring. The perennials above saw the Empire State Building for the first time and they seem to like the view. The trio above, from Glover Perennials again, are my geranium flavour of the year, 'Rozanne', with Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta (they had no 'Montrose White' available, but this one...I can't tell the difference), and Allium "Mongolian Gem'. A late bloomer, here it is in full flush in mid-August.Not shown is the lawn being raked up to get to the bottom of a drainage issue. Soggy bottom.
The smaller terrace above, over the street, is just maples, boxwoods, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra - which is the straight green, not striped) and pennisetum - the latter being overwatered I think, and tardy in fluffing out. Can you tell I'm on a forest grass kick?
and we shall have to speak sharply to the rain gods about the overwatering. Seriously -- she exclaims in an incredulous tone -- people are watering?
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful, so beautiful
ReplyDeleteMelanie - yes, you'd think one would not have to water, but container gardens are a different kettle of er...fish. Which need water. Automatic drop irrigation waters them efficiently, but water them it must. It had just been set too high in this case. My own garden would be crisp in a few days with no water - plants in pots just don't have the benefit of groundwater and do not absorb too much rain because of their limited footprint.
ReplyDeleteThank you Hen xxxxxxx
I especially like the small terrace garden with the grasses...how lovely!! Wish I had a larger space to garden & could hire you to design something with a water feature for tranquility after a day in the rushing world!
ReplyDeletereally lovely! The little tree terrace is especially nice...don't know if it's the colors, line, unexpected surprise of a grove of trees on a roof, or what, but it's got a very peaceful aspect to it.
ReplyDeleteCamille. You can even buy fairly nice,simple water features online, for setting up yourself...how much space do you have?
ReplyDeletePaula, thank you...it is unexpectedly peaceful, isn't it? I had thought it may be too simple, and boring, but that is perhaps exactly why it works. Repetition, greens, texture.
My tiny condo patio is 6' x 6' with a French door from the bedroom opening onto the South end & a gate opening out onto a walkway on the North end. The West & East sides are concrete planters which I have trellises of Virginia Creeper to provide some privacy from my neighbours. Next to the French door is a window with the bottom sill that is about 18" up from the deck of the patio. There is an electrical outlet under the window, so that would be the most logical space for the waterfeature. I have seen many lovely units at garden stores. But, I think the round ones would take up to much valuable deck space & the the flat ones may seem lost without any greenery surrounding them? I know it's hard to advise when you don't know what the space looks like, but I'd appreciate any thoughts...thanks!
ReplyDeleteYikes...I obviously should have re-read my post before submitting! Typos..."the round ones would take up TOO much..." & "...THAT the flat ones...". In any case, I would very much appreciate any ideas you have! The spaces you've designed are sublime, including your own gorgeous terrace!!
ReplyDeleteCamille - sorry about blogger's stupid linklessness, but cut and paste these links:
ReplyDeleteFreestanding fountain:
http://www.simplyfountains.com/outdoor-fountains/bird-bath-fountains/somersetsolarbronzebirdbathfountain.cfm
Table top (bowl and pump cover not included):
http://www.kineticfountains.com/wooden-head-bamboo-water-spout.asp?idcategory=199
A bit pricier...
http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=2924
Thank you so much for the fountain suggestions! I especially love the last fountain...of course...it's the most expensive...damned champagne taste/beer budget! But I do really like the first fountain! I think it would look lovely in my wee space & the fact that it's solar powered is so cool so will most likely order that one! When I get it in place, I'll have to photograph my patio & send it to you. Thanks again, I really appreciate the time you took to do this for me!
ReplyDelete