It really does look good as is, you know. BEAUTIFUL in fact and I love the light green of the bench.

I noticed that Brushwood lists some clematis that bloom early and then have rebloom. Have you thought about the "potato vine" (I don't know how well it does there). I can't find the latin name but it is not sweet potato vine nor is it the air potato vine...I have two in solid nasty clay soil - they've never done much because of the soil but they've not died either! I've never seen one go too crazy period.

I don't have a clue what or even if you should plant, but I had to tell you that you have done a beautiful job!

I vote for a variety of clematis vines (type 3 types) to grow along the fence. Even if they do climb up the willow tree, it's just a simple matter for chopping then down which would make them even better.

I think it looks great as is - sometimes simple is better! Yes, you have done a beautiful job!

I don't grow clematis so am not familiar with varieties; but I agree the area looks wonderful as is. Yes, the stone column really looks good there with the bench in front. I don't think I'd plant anything that would cover the column again.

I have a small leafed philadelphus behind my bench which I prune fairly ruthlessly so that no wood is older than 3 years. It is arching gracefully with wonderfully fragrant flowers at the moment although it can look a little dull for the rest of the year. A golden leafed one (just plain old coronarius aurea) would light up the area rather well, as would a golden choisya. If you want something small, ladies mantle will do a sterling job scrambling about in sun or shade. If you are keen on clems, you could go for some of the integrifolia types of herbaceous, semi-scrambling ones such as alionushka or durandii. A potato vine (solanum) will get huge.

This is what I love about this forum! You gardeners are great and I'll look up everyone's suggestions as well as consider leaving it alone.

Today, summer arrived, so unless we have lots of rain in the forecast, I'll likely just prepare the soil until time to plant again in fall.

I could also plant something low beneath the bench...I grew Ladies Mantle once before at a different home, but I wonder if the afternoon sun might burn it, even in the filtered shade of the bench seat.

I love the idea of fragrance and sweet alyssum (honey smell) is usually stellar for my garden ...even through December, then dies back in January, only to spring up again in early March and blooms until late May when I let it go to seed, then trim it for the fall re-bloom.

I'll browse the clematis choices. I have a few scrambling over the roses (out of bloom in the photo since I cut off the rose buds when Japanese Beetles showed up).

Thanks!
Cameron

Hi, this is my first vista to the cottage forum, but I agree with what others have said --- that it would be shame to cover up that beautiful column or the fence, which is already partially hidden on the right side with shrubs and plants.

You might want to consider searching for a pair of tall granite/stone/ceramic planters to place in the back, one each side of the bench. You could grow arrangements in this pot that would repeat some of the whites and reds in the lower righthand corner of your garden, using hosta or dragon wings begonia, for example. I think the stone wall, fence, and bench create such a wonderful architectural element to the garden. By adding some height, without covering up the background, you would be creating a sitting nook in this corner of the garden. It would be so "snugly" and elegant at the same time.

I'd love to see other views of your garden, Cameron!
Molie

There are two stone urns flanking the bench and a table with a potted plant on one side of the bench. Those just don't show up much in the "aerial" view from my upstairs windows.

Including a link to my blog for more views of my garden.

Thanks!
Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: my garden

We're limited with what we can grow with our cold winters...but my favorites are clematis and honeysuckle. I love star jasmine, but it doesn't make it through the winter. Roses are so pretty, but I can see them getting too big for the space. My Bleu Magenta (with its smaller flowers) is beautiful when it blooms, though :)
{{gwi:327706}}From Lavender's Garden

Bleu Magenta from Rogue Valley Roses...mine should be blooming in a few weeks!

Oh, my gosh...I love that rose, lavender lass!

Your gardens are so lovely and lush.! I mostly lurk on several GW forums but I looked at your beautiful setting and "saw" a broad flatish bowl on top of the column with something like sedum 'Angeline' softening the edge. It would pick up the yellow around the pond and add a rusty orange touch in winter.Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be beautiful!
Pat

Lavender Lass -- love that rose! Amazing!

Pat I have plenty of sedum Angelina growing under my Japanese maple that I can dig up to put in a bowl.

I love flat bowls (planted with sedum and semperivums) and have two in my gravel garden with another garden bench, urns of lavender and pots of juniper surrounded by annuals.

Cameron

Cameron- It's a really nice and so far, very well behaved, climbing rose. Your garden is so pretty!

Mytime- I love that little rose, too. When the truck hit our house last fall, it moved the porch over to within a few inches of the rose. My contractor and his guys lived in fear of bumping into, or otherwise damaging it, while they rebuilt our front porch. I was determined that my rose would still be there this spring! I'll post a picture, when it blooms :)

Miquel (nckvilledudes) who used to post on the clematis forum lived in 7a in NC and found that type 3 pruners were the only ones that thrived for him. I know that he had viticellas and integrifolias that grew well for him. I'm sure that if you search for his name on the clematis forum there are still many of his posts there, often with well-labeled photos so that you can get a sense of how they perform in your general part of the country.

Beautiful!!!

Cameron, your garden is so lovely, why is it I keep thinking Claude Monet would be right at home in your garden.
My personal opinion, I'd just leave it as is or maybe a container with something trailing on a tall, slender pedestal behind the bench, left side.

Annette

Thanks!

Here's a close up photo that I took yesterday.

{{gwi:687502}}

Hmmmm, looking at your closeup, not enough room for a pedestal. I'd still leave it as it is or maybe put a taller plant on the table. I wouldn't want to cover up that column or the fence for that matter. I'm sure whatever you decide in the end it will look beautiful.

Annette