...With silver bells and cockle shells
Posted on 2004-09-26 at 08:04
Finished doing some research for the future yard/garden. You can see some other gardens I like alot here. You can also see some of the plants I want in my garden.
As with anything I do, my own brand of crazy kicked in. I felt the need to really understand what I wanted out of a garden before I could start a garden. My overzealous notes follow:
Structure
I don't really want the lawns of the English garden nor the precise lines of the French garden. Rather than a regular, geometric layout, I'd prefer an ecology-friendly, liberal layout.
Pathways
Rather than straight, axis-like, tree-lined pathways, I'd prefer windings, zigzagging, leading to places of repose.
Trees
Rather than having them planted in symmetrical forms or in lines, I'd like them isolated, scattered, and in natural forms. Trees that interest me are trees like the Japanese Red Maple, Manchurian Apricot, Fragrant Olive, Tartarian Maple, Chinese Pear Tree, Dogwood Tree, and the Crape Myrtle. I would prefer trees that are smaller, to make the house look larger in comparison and to keep the scale of the garden smaller in general. A tree that grows no larger than 15 feet or so is plenty large for me. Some trees that are too big, but I like the look include the Maidenhair Tree, Manchurian Walnut, and the Scotch Pine. I don't want them, per se, but if there were a smaller tree that were similar in look/blooming times/etc, then that'd be good.
Flowers
Rather than flower beds in well-conceived patterns and coloration, I'd prefer beds for potted flowers, with due attention paid to the form of plants. Plants that interest me are the Magnolia, Azalea, Chinese Lilac, Fragrant Plantain Lily, Tree Peony, and Chrysanthemum. I don't want plants that may cause my neighbors problems, like bamboo or ivy , that spreads too quickly and too relentlessly.
Water Scenes
I doubt I have space enough, but rather than dynamic water scenes, such as fountains and waterfalls, I prefer the look of stationery water scenes, such as streams, ponds and dripping springs
Space
To fill the open spaces, I don't much like extensive lawns, but rather natural rock formations that are interesting and isolating.
Layout
Rather than the traditional extensive, open landscape, I'd prefer smaller scenes hidden in quiet places. The garden should be broken up into smaller spaces that each have a separate view and art unto themselves. I don't want to be able to see the whole yard at a single glance. Also, I'd like the borders of the yard to provide some barrier.
Architecture
Rather than the traditional gazeebo, which is designed to command a more extensive view of the area while providing shade, I prefer the Chinese moon gates (circular doorway/arches), which are designed to limit the view to the scene at hand (see "layout" above.) Occasional bench seating is good as well, especially if it is designed to accent a particularly nice view of the scene in which it is found.