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What garden style do you love?

17 years ago

Many of us have what we consider to be smaller homes (with lots of charm!!), but what about your garden/yard? I know that some of us have posted about having smaller lots, or some an acre+.

Do you prefer a cottage look, a more formal layout, or have your own unique style? It is always fun to see pictures, too...

Andrea

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Comments (23)

downeastwaves
17 years ago
Cottage!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Gardening
southernheart
Original Author
17 years ago
Me, too! Don't you love that board? That is one of my favorites on the Garden side, and such a nice group, too. I love that "Front Yards" thread!
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Well, the party line answer is clearly both, and obviously for me too, there is enjoyment of the process and the results. I think that must be true for any gardener who is involved in the making of their own garden space and who isn't getting paid for doing it. But I find that as I get older and farther down the garden path, I would like to enjoy the results more, and I find that the process itself can sometimes be tedious, expensive, require too much patience, and overwhelming. So I am going to be brutally honest here -- while I enjoy the work of gardening to some extent, if I could hire more people to do more things for me and just enjoy the results myself, I would do it. The problem is that, for the most part, if you are a real plant geek like I am (and a whole lot of others who responded above), you can't really hire people to arrange plants for you in the way you want them. So there is a certain amount that you have to be involved with yourself. Being involved again in the creation of a new garden, and having left a mature one, I have to say that so far, I enjoyed the mature one more. The last few years I spent there I did work a lot in the garden still, of course, but the proportion of time spent just enjoying the garden was greater. That doesn't mean that I was sitting when I enjoyed it. It doesn't mean that I didn't pull a weed or two when I walked with a glass of wine in the evening. But after 20 years working on that space, the garden felt "finished" to a great extent. That doesn't mean that there would never be anything new. But the garden had a certain cohesiveness that is certainly lacking in my new garden. It also had as much seasonal interest as I could pack into 2/3 acre in my rotten climate. So, weather permitting, the garden always had moments of great beauty and enjoyment for me. But then again, I know that one of the reasons the garden meant so much to me is that I had spent 20 years making it. I had watched the trees, shrubs, perennials that I had planted get moved from one place to anohter (NAY he says, "I MOVED them from one place to another"...) until they finally found a place that they (and I) liked. Still garden making takes patience, and it is hard in the early stages not to want more results, with less work at garden making. I think that's one reason why, relatively speaking, I did not take many pictures of the new garden this year -- in the last year I was at my old place I took over a thousand, this year less than 100. A reflection that the garden was more about process than results, so far. One of the greatest times of garden enjoyment I ever remember in my old garden was after a big garden tour. The weeds were all pulled, the plants all relatively pristine (it was mid-June), the crowds were gone, my family and the dog were gone, the walks and drives all neat and clean, no cars or other distractions to be seen. Then I walked through and enjoyed my own garden, for a couple of hours, nobody but me and the hummingbirds and butterflies. One of the best times of garden enjoyment I ever had, along with very early foggy mornings and late summer evenings. Give me more of those, and less back-breaking work, any day....
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Tony, can I ever relate. The only difference is that I had never made a thing grow in my life before. The plants I received during the many hospital stays, I managed to kill within the year. I had three failed back surgeries which left me with no use of my left leg and foot, a back that I can no longer bend, turn or twist and lately severe Arthritis has attacked my entire body (especially my hands) and horrific pain 24/7. I was in deep depression for a very long time and perhaps if my children would have helped and worried about me as you do about your Mom, I would have pulled myself out of my world of self-pity a long time ago. Alas, I was not that lucky, however, one can only live like that for so long, before thoughts of ending it all take over, and I thank G-d for giving me the strength to find the will to search every avenue to help myself. Also, I have a family physician who is modern and not adverse to giving me enough medication (even narcotics) to take the edge off of the pain. When my youngest moved across the ocean, I bought a samll computer to keep in touch with her. I taught myself how to send e-mails and then I started wandering around the Internet. It was then that I came across GardenWeb and after reading the different posts for days, I got the courage to post and ask questions. You would not believe the many replies I received with all kind of advice on how to start a garden (some giving me sites where to find more info) Last winter I kept myself very busy planning my little garden, searching through catalogues, gardening magazines and the Internet, looking for perennial plants that have "good garden manners", as my garden buddy Newt taught me.I have several container plants and start working on them when it is too cold to plant in the ground. My garden takes up most of my time (even the many long sleepless nights). I agree with the poster that said that outside help can be very frustrating, however, if you have the time to supervise then they will do as your Mom would like to have in done. Who knows, I just might find another hobby to add, that will ensure that I have no spare moments to dwell on all the things I can no longer do (I was not born disabled) Also, I am not adverse to getting a little psycological help now and them when I need it most. I have to digress here for a moment and tell you that the great friends I found here on GardenWeb gave me a new lease on life. I still write to some and they answer when they are able. We exchange jokes as well as gardening information,links where you can find more information for every subject and seeing that we are in the same boat, in one form or another, it gives me the strength to carry on. (We understnad each other) Perhaps that is why I am so grateful to GardenWeb,and to this new Forum. The advice you got in the previous posts are excellent, and if I may, I would like to suggest that if you do build a raised bed, sitting on the wall and twisting around to care for the plants does not always work for everyone. I know it doesn't for me. I don't know if my solution will work for your Mom, however, I had four large (tall) rock garden stones with relatively flat tops placed in strategic places so that I can move around on them (not have to twist my spine). That way I am closer to the ground and can get my hands in the dirt. I guess I will have to leave the composting to purchasing it in a bag (not quite the same as making your own, I understand, however,it's the best I can manage.) Just one last thing, I have purchased some excellent "Enabling tools" through a Catalogue,the name is called Gardenscape, they have a toll free number, which is: 1-888-472-3266, the are situated in Toronto 416-698-5339, they are very reliable, guarantee all purchases and ship promptly. The Catalogue is Free. (I believe they are a GardenWeb sponsor) Good Luck, and G-d Bless Punky.
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downeastwaves
17 years ago
I missed that one!

I'm gonna go see right now!!!!!
minnie_tx
17 years ago
I have a huge backyard which most of you would love to have., I don't do any gardening except for a few tomato plants on the patio. My big concern is keeping it mowed.

The stump is gone now and some plants are using that space. That was a huge pine tree which was sheared off when we had our big ice storm in 2000. Fortunately it didn't fall on the house.

Here is a link that might be useful:
zzepherdogg
17 years ago
WOW, THAT IS SOME SPACE! For "Our own dear little Garden" (this is what my daughters 4+1/2year old calls the place) I use a mix of styles. Some formal elements, Id like to try for a few asian elements in some areas, and lots of cottage. Pacific Northwest style is sort of a blend of tradidional /formal/cottage/natural/asian/ all blended in, like something nice from a salad bar. As for the Cottage garden site, this has to be the most gentle pleasant friendly group on earth. I love how everyone suports every one else. there was another forum that I was interested in, but there were a couple members who were so snapity that I got discouraged and quit posting. I am real excited about this one.
girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
I have a cottage garden in the front yard. It's "Canadian Style"... you see similar gardens on a much smaller scale in downtown Toronto. Lots of italian and greek influence in my garden...
We also purchased the small home next to ours (so that someone wouldn't put a monster home smack next to us!!) I have a potager started there.
I prefer informal gardens with some "bones". A little structure, a lot of love.

GGG
Nancy in Mich
17 years ago
Waves of bulb color in the spring followed by select perrenials in early summer and a mess of echinacia and rudbeckia in late fall.

Yikes! I never uploaded the rest of 2005. Give me the weekend and I'll do some more.

Here is a link that might be useful: Open the albums
angelcub
17 years ago
Another cottage gardener here. We have 5 acres but we have left most of it in it's native state. It is very hilly and very dry so it would be almost physically and financially impossible to garden on most of it. We probably garden on less than an half acre, including the house area. But that's ok with me as I have so many other interests.

I have a potager for vegies, berries and various herbs and flowers. And we're redoing most of the fenced area out back in more drought tolerant and native plantings. I'm aiming for less work and more leisure. : )

Diana
debnfla8b
17 years ago
We are still working in the yard. I LOVE roses and so, I have about 150 roses planted. My husband David put in 6 rose beds for me and have them planted in mostly antique roses. It is soooo pretty now and when you walk out my front door, all you smell is old rose smell. I am totally in love with my front rose bed. I think my members page still has the link that shows my new house, me, David and all my roses. Some of the beds are newly planted. I hope the link still works.

Deb
debnfla8b
17 years ago
Here's the link I mentioned above.

http://d.nicewonder.home.mchsi.com/

I hope it works!

Deb
girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
Deb, it's gorgeous!! I LOVE that "blue" (purple) rose.

GGG
debnfla8b
17 years ago
Thanks GGG!!!

The name of the rose is Midnight Blue, it is a Floribunda and smells like cloves. It will be so purple, it is the color of a grape drink or juice!

Deb
cecilia_md7a
17 years ago
I live in a cottage; therefore, I have a cottage garden. Herb garden next to the back door, mixed borders around the perimeter of the back yard, potager-style kitchen garden (veggies mixed with flowers)in the center of the back yard, and shade garden in the front yard. All very informal and usually weedy.
momcat2000
17 years ago
my style is 1920's/cottage/winter interest/japanese/free plants style
postum
17 years ago
Hi - mine is cottage too. I want a low maintenance garden and it is very dry where I live, so I have lots of lavender and sage, geraniums, wallflowers, a few roses (one enormous peace rose) and fruit trees - plum, apricot, cherry, lime, with plans for oranges and lemons. I love brugmansia so I have a few of those too. The big problem with my garden is that it is there is no shade - so I need things that need little water and can tolerate FULL sun.
FlowerLady6
17 years ago
I also have cottage style gardens, with some tropicals added too since we live here in s.e. FL and I cannot grow a lot of what grows in typcial cottage gardens. I love the loose, happy feel of cottage gardens. As always, my gardens are a work in progress. I also love the old garden roses and have several of them.

FlowerLady
Josh
17 years ago
I like Momcat's description! Mine is eclectic...I have a hot color big leaf corner with Canna, Phormium, Thalia, Elephant Ears, Bamboo, Hibiscus etc. Plus many containers ranging from dwarf Equisetum (horsetail) to lovely Japanese Maples.

I'm attracted to foliage first but growing a few strange-looking flowers like Seseli gummeferum
'Moon Carrot' and Eryngium 'Miss Willmott's Ghost'. Since everything is in containers I can rearrange to my heart's content...I love that! josh
lmieke
17 years ago
Even way before we moved here to TN where I have a lake out my front door, I've always dreamed of having a tropical, "Margaritaville" kind of garden, so after I got my rose garden planted (my biggest passion) I started with the tropical look (thanks to the tropicalesque forum). It's a little weird because most of the trees on our place are tall long needle pines, but up by the cabin I've planted my burgundy cannas, elephant ears, etc, etc, (you get the picture)intersperced with the pink flamingos! It's been so much fun and I just keep adding to it.
hydrangea89
17 years ago
I also love cottage style, and I intend to have my own cottage garden by the end of the summer, and my interior, hopefully will be more "cottage esque" in the near future!

ps: that form is excellent, I love it, its my favorite!
marilyn_c
17 years ago
Overgrown and wild. I have 2 acres in my yard, and part is like a meadow with wildflowers. I have a lot of antique roses. I like them because not only are they easy to care for but they make big, over grown shrubs. The rest of our land is woods and pasture. Have a mud bottomed pond near the front of the house...it needs to be dug out, silted in. It has some large koi in it, and I am going to find a home for them, and just plant lilies on it and a few goldfish in it.
dainaadele
17 years ago
I'd have to call my style "cottage under control" I try to keep some formality (squared off beds/clearly defined grass areas to make mowing easier) but allow the flower beds then to grow as they will. To be honest, my goal is to be lazy. While I enjoy gardening, I don't want it to get out of control when I am too busy to keep it in check. I do most of my gardening early spring and fall and only water in summer when necessary. I found a book that I loved that helped alot. The Lazy Gardener by Mara Grey.

Here is a link that might be useful:
jannie
17 years ago
Cottage garden style. Pockets of plants anywhere I can find room.
mrsmarv
17 years ago
"We have 5 acres but we have left most of it in it's native state. It is very hilly and very dry so it would be almost physically and financially impossible to garden on most of it. We probably garden on less than an half acre, including the house area."

I had to chuckle when I read the above...we have 7 acres and there's nary a flat area in sight! Actually, the only flat area is what we call the 'lower 40'. It's at the bottom of our property, away from the house, and not very convenient. We garden in the style we refer to as 'controlled chaos'. We have tamed the perimeter of the house (somewhat) and try to put the blinders on to the rest. I have perennials and herbs under the kitchen window in the front of the house. Off the back we have our deck and the encroaching woods....I like the view in the front better ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful:

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