Since I’ve talked so much about the arbor itself I thought for this post I would highlight the garden that the arbor takes you too. If you look past the arbor you will find a quasi-Japanese shade garden nook. I say quasi because it’s a hybrid of Japanese and American plants. The Japanese elements are the Japanese maple, a side order of hostas, and two clumps of Japanese forest grass that were just added. There are native elements as well which a purest would say don’t have their place in a Japanese garden but really look very cool together. Take the hosta and heuchera combination for instance. Although the origins are continents apart these two plants seem destined to be together. Hostas originate from Asia while the heucheras are native to parts of North America.
Here is the view from the self-seeding garden. The only thing I’m not thrilled with is the gas meter. It’s one of those necessary evils that I just can’t do much about. The corner shade garden has quite a few elements going for it now, mature shade tolerant plants (like the aforementioned hostas and heuchera as well as the astilbe, oak leaf hydrangea, and a couple annual coleus plants), a dry creek bed for downspout drainage, and natural limestone borders.
The arbor really helps to enhance the area and entice the eyes down the pathway. I hope when the self-seeding garden gets going that it will be something unique and special to bookend The Arbor Project in between. Don’t forget to head over to Better Homes & Gardens to vote for the Arbor in the 48 Hour Blog Challenge. I may be down in the voting but I won’t give up until the end.
Dave, Your arbor looks great and is most creative. If I could vote twice a day, I surely would!
I agree with Tina! gail
I’m with Tina.
Dave .. I have been quietly following your progress and YES !
I am in with Tina and the girls : )
It is a beauty ! : ) Joy
I think this whole area of your yard looks excellent and will be nice and lush by autumn.
Jake
Thanks everyone! If only the subscribers of the other blogs could break their loyalties and vote for the arbor I might have a shot.
I’m trying to catch up on my blog reading since I was away on vacation for over a week… is the voting still underway? I thought it would already be decided (with your project winning).
Cameron
I just cast my vote again — and will tomorrow, too.
sorry that I couldn’t keep up with the voting during my vacation, but wi-fi access in Paris was really difficult. A nice Parisian in a store gave us his userid and pw to use — when we could get a hotspot! I didn’t want to login with my own userid while using his account.
Cameron
Very nice! An arbor is one of the things on my wish list. -Jackie
You did a great job with that arbor Dave. Personally I feel you should be at the top in points. I love the way it complements your shady garden. Don’t worry that Oakleaf will fill in and disguise your gas meter in no time. 🙂
Hi Dave, chin up and good luck with the voting! I love the Japanese garden. That is such a soothing style and the plantings are perfect. I agree, the heuchera deserves to be there too. Now you need that zen sand garden with the rake to suggest waves. 🙂
Frances