Wednesday, January 20, 2010

More June garden club walk

Talk about curb appeal. This pretty bank of rock, perennials, daylilies and shrubs runs along the highway for about 200 feet. Simple but elegant.




When visiting gardens for the first time, I tend to photograph unusual things that catch my eye.


In the photo below, a thrifty gardener created an old fashioned well from chunks of used concrete.



This succulent tower was made from an old 60's style kitchen chair frame and a piece of wood to give height to the back. Wire mesh encloses sphagnum moss and holds the plants in place.


A Toad Hall resident sits in this sunny garden.


This is a catalpa tree. Very striking.


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33 comments:

Chloe m said...

That catalpta tree is just beautiful. And I love those plant combinations for the curbside garden, thanks for sharing.
Rosey

tina said...

You are right about that bank garden. I think it is done so well and love it. The well is most cool. Broken concrete just can't be beat in a garden. Such sunny and lovely pictures on this rainy day!

Lona said...

The first picture with the bank plantings is just gorgeous. I love the tiers and stone work.
Oh, I want that toad. I think it is so cute.

Darla said...

That first photo is 'simple' and so gorgeous at the same time!! I fell head over heels for the kitchen chair idea!! Thanks for sharing these!!!

Kathleen said...

Great idea to create a tower for succulents. That's one way to get a lot of them in a small space. I love catalpa trees. I know a lot of people think they're "messy" with their big bean pods, etc., but I say the "mess" is easy to clean up since the leaves and pods are so big. The flowers can't be beat. Well, maybe by a magnolia but hey. Plus all that lovely dense shade. I really should plant one, don't you think? You are inspiring me to do a better job at photographing garden tours this year. Last summer I did terrible at it. Plus you have the discipline to hold off posting till winter when we can really appreciate a good tour. Cute, cute toad statue too.

Cheryl said...

HI Marnie....you certainly have some lovely gardens in your area. I find living in the countryside UK, most people just have grass and maybe a few trees.

I love the bank.....it is stunning.....somehow it's simplicity makes it stand out even more......

I was also impressed by the well....someone has a wonderful imagination........

Dawn said...

I love the succulent tower! I may have to try that!

Unknown said...

I love, love LOVE the water feature with old well pump! And about catalpas--they are such a gorgeous tree, although I find my young tree is a bit ouchy about winter winds; I noticed a small branch broken yesterday when I was out walking about, but in summer the leaves are just glorious. Mine is too young to flower, so far, but maybe this year. ...

Carol said...

I so love the Catalpa Tree... its flowers and fragrance and then the fun seed pods! The toad is most likely a frozen handsome prince and you have framed his portrait perfectly. I love the idea of the plantings along the bank ... what a gift for the owners neighbors. Another lovely post Marnie! ;>)

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I think I have enough chunks of concrete to make one of those wells. I have mixed feelings about Catalpas, but the flowers are very pretty.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Marnie, Beautiful pictures from your June garden club walk... I love that old well. Neat!!!!

Thanks for sharing. Makes me yearn for spring!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Pat said...

Love seeing what other gardeners/landscapers create.
More More

Rose said...

Marnie, I'm so glad you saved some of these garden walk photos for now. This is a real treat for the eyes on a cold, damp, and gray day. The fountain is a clever use for leftover concrete, and I love the terraced planting with daylilies and perennials. This is what I enjoy about garden walks, too--I'm not very creative, so I always check out other people's ideas to copy in my own garden:)

beckie said...

Marnie, a delightful post on a cold dreary evening. Daylilies like this show how beautiful they can be when added into a simple plan. And the semetry sets off each plant so well.

The catalpa tree is considered a trash tree here, but it's blooms are beautiful and those worms make for great fishing bait. :)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It is so refreshing to see garden tours at this time of year. I appreciate them so much more when all is dull outside. That chair with the succulents is a masterpiece. I just love succulents. What would a person do with something that big during winter?? Treat it as an annual display?? I would hate to lose it once it was so well established.

sweetbay said...

What interesting garden creations! Very nice. I didn't realize that Catalpa was so cold hardy. My husband's grandparents had one outside the back door that they used for fish bait. Very striking image -- the blooms look really beautiful in your picture.

BeadedTail said...

We have an area similar to the first photo that I've been looking for ideas on what to do. Now I know! We have some flowers blooming already so I'm ready for spring!

Balisha said...

Hi Marnie,
So nice to "get away" on a winter's day.I enjoyed your garden walk. Careful driving today.
Balisha

ShySongbird said...

Lovely photos Marnie. How nice to see more reminders of Summer at this dreary time of year. There are some nice creative ideas there but my favourite has to be the toad, he is lovely!

PS. The word verification was buumm...rather insulting I thought :)

joey said...

Thanks for spreading cheer on this gloomy day, Marnie. (Mr. Toad caught my fancy!) January Happy Birthday wishes!

Judy said...

I love the little bench along the side of the fountain! And catalpa trees smell simply heavenly!! They are remarkably cold hardy - when we had the big Ice Storm in '98, they were one of the trees that suffered no broken branches, despite having such soft wood.

Commonweeder said...

You've certainly given us a lot of creative ideas! I don't know anything about catalpa trees, but those flowers and your photo are beautiful.

F Cameron said...

Marnie - your garden walk subject choices are delightful!

Cheers,
Cameron

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing your garden walk Marnie, I needed it for sure. We haven't seen the sun in weeks, and it's so very gray!

troutbirder said...

That's it. I'm getting my garden catalogues out and starting to plan for spring.

Naturegirl said...

Marnie sure enjoyed this garden tour in the midst of winter.That succulent tower really original and a great idea! feeling bright aNNa xo

oldcrow61 said...

Great stuff Marnie. I just love that toad.

Sherri said...

I miss flowers-I wish it was May or June now-LOL!

garden girl said...

Hi Marnie, so nice to see green and blooms in late January! If I had room I'd definitely plant a Catalpa - such a gorgeous native tree.

Gail said...

I am so ready for spring~I know you must REALLY be! gail

Skeeter said...

The hillside is so professionally looking to my eyes! It also looks low maintenance which is important to me with our summer heat. The water feature is a great focal point and at my house, would be full of life from frogs to tadpoles! That is a great way to recycle old items…

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh girl, your givin' this old Ozarks farm chick the itch and we have a major winter storm movin' in. The dreaded ice that usually means the loss of power for a week. Nope, can't scratch it yet. Pass the Calamine please! Haaheeehe!

Ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day from the hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa!!!

D said...

Hello Marnie, What fun photos, and that frog would simply love it in our garden. ;) Hope you're having a good week. Diana