Wow, the Portrait Garden has changed a lot since the previously posted photos, so here's an update. This is the view towards the back, with the arbor and pathway Randy built. It makes a nice passageway, spot to hang plants and art, and the birds like to perch there as they flit about the garden and scout for worms. The Laurel has grown quite a bit since planted as shrubs, forming a nice hedge and home for the birds too as you can hear them rustling about in there, with their songs providing nice background music. We have way too much grass on the other side, but are thinking of creating an island planting bed in the center. I'd like a gazebo back there somewhere too. We'll see if I can talk the resident garden planner into that idea.
View to the right as you pass thru the arbor.
View to the left. The Anne Folkard hardy geraniums have quickly formed a spreading ground cover. There is Blue Fescue grass on the edge of the border, Stewartia Pseudo Camelia tree in the foreground, Meta Sequoia on the left, and our tall Giant Sequoia in the background on the right, which is the one nice tree that was here when we bought the property. The rest of this area was full of blackberry bushes and crappy scrub trees.
At the back of the garden, under the tall trees, we have shade plants such as japanese maple, ferns, hostas, and bleeding hearts. The path leads to the back meadow where I photograph portraits in the tall grass.
My roses have started blooming.
The rhododendron is fabulous now, I love the color.
And the wonderful bleeding hearts, faithfully growing back bigger and better every year.
View from street, after:
Front corner, after:
View from driveway, before:
View from street, after:
Off the porch, before:
Off the porch, after:
The grass circle and perimeter:
After, with the widened path and new little patio:
