Monday, July 23, 2012

A New Garden Arbor



God bless you for your kind words and the love you sent me last week.
I held them close and found comfort in each and every one.
You are all amazing.


 


When we had to take down this mammoth maple tree on a frigid day last December, 

(read the whole story here)
it opened up the landscape in the front yard so much,
we could almost hear Heaven's Walk breathe a deep sigh of relief.


[You'll never hear me admit this....but doesn't that snow look a wee bit inviting.....?]
But, if you know me like I think you know me,
you know that the gears in my mind started whirling
the second that old tree hit the ground.

I knew what was going to be needed on that north side of the house.

Another garden room.

With an arbor.

A BIG arbor.

But big arbors are expensive.

Being on a limited budget, and not knowing when I would be able to buy one,

I started planning
and digging
and weeding
and staking out the new room
anyway.


We plan on grinding out the remaining huge stump this autumn.



I put driveway stakes where I pictured the placement of the arbor would eventually be.


I'm considering curving this new bed around to include the dwarf crab apple tree - thus creating an outdoor 'room'. (Standing at the NW corner of the house.)


The plants along the north side of the house include a variety of hostas,
bleeding heart, sweet woodruff, foxglove, hydrangea, and a clematis.


Standing at the northeast corner of the house and looking toward the road.

My husband recently surprised me by asking a carpenter friend to build an arbor for me that matched the smaller one in the back yard. I'm sure it had nothing to do with my constant whining.

Yep...he's a keeper.
My husband...not the carpenter.
Well....maybe the carpenter, too.

I spent two days painting it,
and the next day we pieced it together 
and set it in place with the help of our beloved neighbor.




Isn't she beautiful?
She's a glorious eight feet tall and four feet wide!

You can see my smaller arbor in the back yard.




Looking toward the road.

You can tell where I've been watering the grass every day
and where I haven't.
We didn't have any rain for four weeks,
but have since received a slight reprieve from this month's drought.







I think placing the arbor there extended the visual aesthetics of our tall house
by extending the landscaping out into the yard,
which is exactly what I did with the curved beds and arbor in the back yard.

I know there's probably some mathematical equation that tells you how far your landscape should extend out into your yard in conjunction with how tall your house is,
but I haven't a clue what it is - and I am no mathematician.

[My inspiration for creating garden rooms throughout the landscaping comes from Carolyn's breathtaking gardens.  If you haven't visited Aiken House & Gardens on Prince Edward Island, prepare to spend the rest of your day swooning over them here. You'll agree that you've never seen a more beautiful place to live - nor a more elegant lady. I've got a lonnnng way to go before my gardens look anything like hers, but she keeps my head filled with all sorts of ideas (much to The Husband's chagrin).  :) ]

'Sarah Bernhardt' peonies, pink 'Knock-Out' roses, miniature roses in 'Sorbet',
'Blushing Bride' hydrangea, miniature purple butterfly bushes, and hostas found their way into the new bed.




I spread two yards of rich, dark brown mulch,
lugged in some large rocks...




and planted my new favorite climbing rose bushes ~

'Eden' and 'New Dawn'

which will eventually clamber up the sides and cover the top of the arbor like a fragrant, pink canopy.






The only thing left to do is to place some New York Blue stepping stones from the front of the arbor into the grass behind it, connecting the two areas...

and I'm sure I have room for some more roses.

I'm also visualizing some type of small, flowering tree or large, flowering bush on the right side between the house and the arbor.

Any suggestions...?




The baby spruce trees you see on this side of the house
will eventually hug this garden area
creating a cool, cozy room in the landscape.




Creating "rooms" in your garden truly adds atmosphere and charm to your landscaping by
introducing a little mystery by forcing you to peak around fragrant, colorful corners,
as well as mixing in a variety of flowering plants, greenery, bushes, and trees.

I'm looking forward to watching my new room grow and bloom - and will keep you updated on the progress!


~ Blessings ~





Linking to the parties on the lower right of my sidebar.
Just click on the buttons for some summertime inspiration!

49 comments:

  1. Lucky girl to have such a magnificent arbour! You may soon give Carolyn a run for her money in landscaping. ~ Maureen

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  2. Wow your home is amazing.......I love every single picture I took in adoration for your landscaping and yes the snow looked so inviting!!! What a sweet hubby to have arbor built it looks wonderful!
    Sherry

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  3. Hi Laurie!
    It looks so beautiful!!! What a sweetie your husband is!! :) I am just in awe over your amazing home & gardens!! Seriously! LOVE!
    xoxoxoxo,
    Shellagh

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  4. Truly a piece of Heaven Laurie!

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  5. Oh, the arbor is fantastic, so perfect. Love your gardens too.

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  6. Laurie- Look what whining got you- and they say whining never works! lol Your new arbor is just glorious- I LOVE it. I agree- there is nothing more special in a yard than small rooms made of various plants. It is going to be perfect when it has some growth to it. WHERE did you find your New Dawn roses????? I have not been able to find ANY here- xo Diana

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  7. That looks lovely, Laurie! I love your new garden plantings, too. The roses are beautiful. I'm sure a small tree would look great there between the arbor and the house.

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  8. I love your home, Laurie, and your yard always looks meticulous. Beautiful arbor. xo

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  9. Oh, it all looks so pretty! Love the arbor and all your plants. Your house is dreamy! The snow makes it look extra special. Isn't it nice how all the seasons have their own beauty?!

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  10. SO beautiful....the arbor(s), your house, the landscaping, the roses... Please, please, please fly up and help me create pretty landscaping! I can get as far as container gardens before I crumble. xo Jami

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  11. Laurie, The arbor looks wonderful and just seems to belong there. Your flowers and plants are beautiful. Smiles, Susie

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  12. Laurie,
    The arbor is magnificient! I agree, that your hubby is a keeper!!! Your choice of roses are gorgeous!!! Had you thought of hydrangeas...some I've seen are nearly as large as trees! Also, some beautiful crepe myrtles this Summer on several blogs! We planted three hostas on the North (shade side) this Spring...we definitely will plant more next Spring, as well!!! I know whatever you plant it will only add to the stunning beginning! Thanks for sharing and for reminding us that sometimes when we feel life has created a disaster... a garden blooms, instead!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  13. Wowwww...your garden looks great darling.......wonderful !!!....love Ria...xxx..

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  14. Your new arbor is LOVELY, Laurie! I can just imagine the fun you're having planning and planting your new outdoor room.
    Mary Alice

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  15. Laurie,
    Your new arbor looks beautiful.And yes your husband is a keeper!Your garden is looking amazing despite the lack of rain.
    xx
    Anne

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  16. Oh...how pretty the arbor is...and your flowers...and the house!!

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  17. What a lovely arbour. It looks like it was meant to be there. Once the flowers grow up the sides it will look magnificent.

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  18. what a dreamy addition, laurie! a welcoming doorway to more lovely.

    smiles to you.

    michele

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  19. Love the arbor, Laurie. It's a great addition to your gorgeous landscape.

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  20. Everything looks so welcoming Laurie...love the arbor!

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  21. OMG, Laurie. That arbor is fabulous. SO, SO gorgeous. I have an arched arbor on my "bucket" list. So far it hasn't materialized but I'm still hopeful. Your house and gardens look inviting.

    I agree with you, Carolyn's are worthy of swooning. She is amazing. Take care. Susan

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  22. SO beautiful, I love your home it is just so lovely. You are very blessed.

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  23. how in the world do you and your husband find time do do all of this?? UGH I am tired just looking at all that work..lol

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  24. Wow! that's a big one!!! Seriously, the arbor is beautiful, Laurie! it looks wonderful. I'm sure it will be full of roses next summer, just like the arbor in the back yard was the year after you put it up.
    Your yard looks perfect..as it always does.
    Hugs.

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  25. the arbor looks great and your house is sooo pretty laurie !!!
    x

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  26. Your new arbor is just beautiful! Just let it fill it naturally, as you've already selected some beauties already!

    Blessings,
    Donna

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  27. What a splendid arbor to fill the void left by your stately, old tree. My hubs & sons placed an arbor just off of our deck as a Mother's Day gift several years ago. I am delighted each year by charming New Dawn blooming up one side and flashy Magnifica honeysuckle up the opposite side. The honeysuckle invites hummingbirds throughout the day. Two yrs ago my gift was a Weeping Cherry tree planted nearby--it's a lovely addition!

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  28. Hi Laurie - this is going to be a gorgeous "room" when everything fills in (that's my mantra for my new garden). As for a flowering tree or shrub - how about a Rose of Sharon - I know it's not some glamorous popular tree - but it blooms beautifully when most trees and shrubs are done and is a fast grower so it will fill in the spot quickly. There is one in my garden from the previous owner and I'm really enjoying it much to my surprise.

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  29. This is a beautiful arbor. I love the gardens too and your home it has great appeal.

    Cynthia

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  30. it gorgeous, laurie:) even with watering, my plants are slowly dying:( off to check out aiken house--that's a new one for me:) tfs!

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  31. Love your beautiful new arbor. We finally got rain, which greened everything back up. I was beginning to think it was never actually going to look like summer.

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  32. The arbor is just gorgeous! Something about a beautiful white arbor that makes a garden so special!!!!
    XOXO
    Kristin

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  33. Hi Laurie, now just add a bench on each end and the two love birds can face each other in sweet conversation. What a blessed lady you are to have a sweet Mr. Heavens Walk who can build dreams for you.

    Laurie you so need to turn your place into a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) it would be a sure hit with years of loyal visitors...Me included :)

    Beautiful sharing post.
    xoxo
    Dore

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  34. I love arbor so, my garden rooms have 5, love how they help create rooms. Your hubs built a really beautiful arbor - did you give him an extra special dinner after finishing it? Everything, your home, gardens are arbor work beautifully together! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best - you helped create a successful party!

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  35. The arbor is simply lovely. I agree it pulls the eye to extend and compliment your tall home. Beautiful.

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  36. Your arbor is absolutely wonderful. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

    Holly

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  37. It's absolutely beautiful!

    Hope you will come enter my very fun glass bottle cheese platter giveaway. It so unique!

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  38. Sending blog love from one rural Michigan blogger to another! Love the arbor! Great job!

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  39. Laurie,
    Your new arbor is very nice...I have had one on my wish list for years...maybe one day. Come by and enter my solar fountain giveaway...it would look beautiful in your garden.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  40. This is absolutely lovely!! I am in AWE!!! I'm so glad to have found your blog it's amazing! I can't wait to read and see more! I'm a new follower from All Star Blog Party. I'd love for you to pay me a visit and follow me back at http://lifeofblocks.blogspot.com/ Thanks!

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  41. That is stunning! It looks perfect and when its covered in roses it will look timeless~I have been wanting one forever....my climbing rose is starting to drift along my stone wall as it has no arbor. sad face. I think a nice flowering bush is butterfly bush or even a rose of sharon would be pretty near the house.

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  42. Oh, it's just perfect! I love it! Great husband and great carpenter! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Wishing you a grand weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  43. Your new arbor is very effective ,well designed, and constructed... I bet it's a great sense of accomplishment for you! Larry

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  44. THIS IS GOING TO BE SPECTACULAR when finished. I love the plants you have chosen. Have you thought about a variegated privet for an accent tree. I know-people get scared when you say privet, but these do not spread. Google for photos. The green and white year round, would be spectacular next to your arbor.

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  45. Oh I just LOVE your yard!!! I have soooo many ideas of what I would like in my yard but a husband who is to busy to help:( Your yard is amazing!!!!

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  46. Laurie, your home and gardens are beautiful.
    I too live in Michigan, I was wondering where you purchased your new dawn roses? I have been looking for them to add to our Victorian. Garden!

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Smiles,
    Dolly's cherry heart

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  47. Looks so beautiful!! Nice work! Thanks for sharing this at Romance on a dime. :)

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  48. Beautiful beautiful!! What a wonderful surprise from your hubby...it's so exciting when it happens that way. I can picture a limelight hydrangea tree (hardy to zone 5)to the right of it. (Oh, and you already made pickles?!! Wow...mine are just coming on right now.) xoxo ~Lili

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  49. You have a extremely lovely backyard.

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