Pretties and uglies
Little by little a new garden is taking shape. This pot of ‘Blue Elf’ aloe in bud holds the promise of beauty in days to come.
Starting a new garden on an older home lot offers the chance to correct the uglies that former owners never got around to or perhaps never noticed. We all have them. Maybe we’ve even created some of our own, unwittingly.
The shrubs that started out small and grew up over the windows.
The enormous pile of live-oak leaves and branches with a generous helping of dog poo mixed in, next to a falling-down fence.
The privacy fence that cuts off the view of the most magnificent tree on the lot.
In my quest to turn this already lovely property into a garden, I’ve been tearing stuff down. Most of it we’ve done ourselves: cutting down poorly placed shrubs and small trees, removing the compost-poo pile, redoing the plantings in the raised beds. But I hired out the task of rebuilding our side-yard fence, shown above, which, while serviceable, ruined the view of a big live oak next to the upper patio and made for a poor view from the living room.
I asked my fence builder to remove the old fence, which ran diagonally from the property line to the corner of the house, and to build a new fence along the property line to enclose most of the side yard. Now we have a private side yard that performs multiple functions: it provides a spot to store our garbage and recycling bins; it offers a private, walled view for our bedroom windows, which can be enhanced with flowering vines or garden art; and most important, it exposes the live oak’s trunk to view, inviting it into the garden rather than shutting it out.
Thanks to some Christmas money, it wasn’t a splurge to get it done, and I’m very happy with the impact it’s already made on the new-baby garden.
Whoops! Here’s one ugly that we’ve introduced ourselves. Yep, the trampoline is haunting my new garden, just as it haunted the old one. It has taken up residence in place of the old compost pile, which happens to be the flattest spot on our lot. Some people, perhaps, cannot imagine adding such an eyesore to their garden-to-be. But this flying-saucer-sized toy gives my children many happy and active hours of play. We didn’t stop there either. We also installed a basketball goal in the front yard by the driveway, and we plan to hang a homemade swing from one of our front-yard trees.
I’ve often begrudged the loss of gardening space required by Kid Stuff. Kid Stuff is big. It’s ugly. It’s often brightly colored and does not enhance one’s garden design. But in this new garden, I’ve resolved to be more giving because it’s not just my home. It’s theirs too. I want them to be playing outdoors and not cooped up inside playing video games while I garden-up the entire yard. They do enjoy the garden, but they need some spaces that are their own, where they can play with friends without worrying about crushing a prize plant. So I shall avert my eyes from the trampoline and such for the time being and enjoy the sounds of play while I create a garden that respects their need for active spaces. One day, only too soon, they’ll be off on their own, and I’ll be wishing I could hear their laughter and shouts in the garden again.
So much for uglies. Let’s look at a pretty screech-owl nesting box that my DH made me for Christmas and has now hung from a live oak in the back yard. My fingers are crossed that we’ll see an owl (and not a squirrel) showing its head in the doorway soon.
These two pretties—a heuchera and a ‘Toffee Twist’ sedge—were growing in solitary confinement when we took up residence here. They looked so lonely in their empty beds that I dug them up, and then I noticed how nice they looked together. Harmonizing colors and contrasting leaf texture make this an eye-catching combo. I haven’t grown either of these plants before, and I’ll be watching with interest to see how they do this summer.
An Austin spring is awfully pretty, but summer gets pretty ugly. It’s the trial by fire for new plants in my garden.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Hi Pam, this is such a delightful post. Your new fence is perfect and the live oak is a marvel. That whole scene is gorgeous. You knew just what to do to make it better. I agree about the trampoline, you can just glaze your eyes over when you glance that way and listen to the happy laughter of your kids. Will you put up the disguise like you did at the other house to hide it? I thought that was brilliant and looked good and even gave you a place for vines to grow. The carex and heuchera do look great together, I have both of those plants, not together and think they might have to become better acquainted, thanks for the inspiration. Baby is growing up fast! 🙂
Frances
Baby is still only a crawler at this point, but she’ll get there. 😉 I don’t think I’ll put up the trellis screen, at least not to hide the trampoline. There are mostly rocks in front of it with small pockets of soil and more live oaks. I’ll use plants to draw the eye away from it though. I’m thinking of a shade-tolerant, silvery palm, if I have room. —Pam
Why not take the trampoline area and make a red white and blue garden or a blue and white garden or a yellow and blue garden. Make it kid friendly and a little funky. I can see some white climbing roses on the back fence – looks like you might need some that take some shade, then some blue and white plumbago, some spring bulbs, some summer impations, etc. I can’t think of what tall sage-like blooms would work here but I would use the Lady Bird Johnson site to find suggestions for natives. You could also make a ring of shrubs out far enough for safety that would screen the area below the trampoline with a little path through them to it.
Marilyn in Dripping Springs
Hi, Marilyn. Thanks for your comment. I agree that it needs to be a fun, kid-friendly space, and I look forward to seeing them enjoy it in years to come. —Pam
Hi Pam–That new fence is gorgeous. It really has become a focal point instead of an eyesore.
Thanks, Susan. The new fence provides structure in the right place now and has opened up a new section of the yard to use—yea! —Pam
You are bringing this new garden around Pam. That big old oak tree is certainly an asset. It looks quite happy to be invited to the party. It is such fun to see all the changes, improvements in your garden. You are quite right about letting the children have their space. I can remember the ballgames, rough and tumble and tea parties that all occurred in our garden in the past. It was a fun time too. The children learn so much about sharing and caring in a garden. They need space to soak it all in. I can’t wait to see the little owl peeking out of their new home.
Hi, Lisa. I knew the moms out there would understand about including play spaces, even at the expense of a prettier garden. My goal is to entice them to play outside with whatever means possible. That includes their own gardening space, which is one of my upcoming projects. —Pam
Pam, The new fence is perfect with the blue chairs….I have both the carex and heuchera and now I want to put them near each other…thank you! Your kids will have wonderful memories of playing in a beautiful yard and one day they will do the same for their children. gail
I sure hope so, Gail. That would make me very happy indeed. —Pam
Pam,
You’ve certainly been busy! You are absolutely right about the trampoline, you have to share the space and it can easily be disguised with a nice vine covered screen. 🙂 I’m glad to see you uncovered the beautiful tree.
Thanks, Randy. While the screen will probably live on in this garden, it’ll have to go somewhere else. I’m planning to use plants for a trampoline screen this time. Different terrain, different solutions, I’m finding. —Pam
how much i wish i was in a warmer clime right now! do love the inclusion of kids stuff, and as previously mentioned, screened viney area great idea. love your pictures!
Thanks, Kristine, for visiting and commenting. I do enjoy Austin’s warm climate at this time of year, though the piper must be paid come summertime. 🙂 —Pam
Pam — What a wonderful tour of your new gardens! The aesthetic transformation of moving a fence just a few feet is just amazing. I agree — let your children play outside. They will have so many happy memories of playing, not just in a yard, but in their mother’s garden.
Cameron
I hope so, Cameron. These days it seems hard to get kids to play outside, especially boys who want to be glued to video games. But part of the reason we moved to this house was for the shady lot and the pool, which will provide comfortable play areas even in summer. Of course it’s always fun to start a new garden as well. 😉 —Pam
Pam, before I forget, where did you get your wooden Adirondack chairs? And did you paint them that lovely color? Secondly, I’d like to say once the kiddos are finally out of the nest, you sit in angst and miss them terribly. For a little while. All the chaos and noise and “stuff.” But being the humans we are, you quickly adjust to not having the childhood stuff in your yard. It becomes a compost heap or something. And it’s kind of nice when they have their very own nice homes where “they” play host instead of you. It’s fun to watch them become their mom, (stuck in the same compulsive patterns) though they vowed never to do so. So I have to say, though it will sound “odd” to some of you recent empty-nesters; you quickly snap up that kid’s room and turn it into a sewing or craft room or home office. You adjust rather quickly, for someone who cried into their pillow when it was first happening! I love what you did with changing the fence to the other side. What a wise decision that was! I love those old trees. Also, I’ve wanted to get one of those screech owl nesting boxes, but since I live a block from a busy highway, didn’t know if they would be likely to visit me. Any thoughts?
Brenda
Brenda, thanks for reminding us of the joy to be found in not having kids at home. 😉 There’s always a silver lining, isn’t there? Maybe more than one.
I bought the Adirondacks from a mail-order kit many years ago. They are redwood, but I eventually painted them with leftover house paint. They are in need of repainting again soon.
As for attracting screech owls, my understanding is they are under-canopy birds that are well-adapted to suburban neighborhoods. You likely have them in your area already, and a box might attract one to your yard. At our old house, we lived just a couple of streets in from a busy highway, but we had great-horned owls visit us all the time. Owls seem quite comfortable in semi-urban habitats, eating up the mice, rats, and other rodents that thrive there. —Pam
Everything is looking good!
Thanks, Phillip. —Pam
WHat a difference your new fence makes ! It’s a beautiful design and getting to see your magnificent oak is quite the bonus. What I would give to have my kids trampoline again! We spent many fun hours bouncing away – and it was a great spot to star-gaze from late at night.
I like to lie on it too and stare up at the leaves of the trees. —Pam
Hi Pam,
Looks like you have some great projects completed and in the works. It’s fun to start fresh, but also rewarding to take something ugly – or just mediocre – and make it beautiful. Like you, I wish I could get rid of the kid junk in my yard – why do swing sets always come in appallingly bright colors? Couldn’t they be made to blend in somehow? But, as you say, its the kids’ yard, too. Compromise is good.
Regards, VW
Paint and fencing can go a long way toward hiding garden eyesores. But usually we don’t want to hide the kids behind a wall, so we’re stuck with garish colors. Ah well, this too shall pass, and soon enough they’ll be out in cars driving around town, and we’ll have a whole new set of concerns. 😉 —Pam
Pam, I love the trellis/topper on the new fence. The circles provide a much more polished look than the usual lattice. I’ve pretty much given up on growing heucheras but I do have that sedge in a pot on one patio. Thus far it’s done well there, compared to its predecessor which expired seemingly within days of being planted in the ground.
That baby of yours is fast becoming a toddler!
Thanks, Cindy. Actually, though, it’s regular lattice on top of the fence. I guess it just looks a little different in the picture because of the distance. I’m glad to hear that the ‘Toffee Twist’ sedge has been a winner in your hot-climate garden so far. —Pam
I guess you can be thankful that your trampoline isn’t some really garish color; it’s really not that bad! 🙂 I had the idea recently to blog about the things that didn’t/weren’t working in my yard. However, I’m not sure I took pictures of them! So you were smart to take pics of all of the “uglies”.
Very smart idea to expose that lovely live oak. Looks like your aloe is about to bust into bloom. Everything’s looking great!
Thanks, Jean. It IS easy to forget to take Before pics, especially of things you hate. I was partway through chopping some of those overgrown bushes down before I remembered to commemorate it with a photo. But it’s worth the trouble when you can compare Before with After. —Pam
Large pile of compost and falling down fence…looks like my yard.
Ha. 🙂 Your garden has a lot more going for it than that. And now I’ve seen your compost turner in action, I’m betting you’ll have several more in no time. —Pam
You’ve made excellent progress in such a short time. I’ve lived here 15 years, and I’m still getting rid of the uglies. Your new fence is beautiful. I feel your pain about the kid equipment, but we make sacrifices for them, so maybe they’ll come visit us when we get old. :^)
Let’s hope so, MMD! As for the progress, it’s baby steps for the most part, but if it all got done at once, what would be the fun in that? —Pam
I love the flying pig in the first picture, Pam! There are times I actually envy gardeners like you who have new gardens to work in. I get exasperated with our property, and our weather conditions, at times and wish I could start again with an almost blank slate. Then I look at what we’ve accomplished in the ten years we’ve been here, and think okay, it’s coming along. So I’ll enjoy watching you create your new garden, and maybe it’ll inspire me to change what I can in my own.
I was at the redo point with part of my old garden, Jodi (well, honestly, when was I NOT redoing parts of my old garden?), and in many ways it felt freeing to leave it behind and start afresh. But I do miss it from time to time, imperfections and all. —Pam
Just a slight improvement on the fencing front! It looks like the whole area just went “Ahhhh”!
Good eye on taking the fence back behind the trunk. What did you do on the ground where the chairs are?
Regards,
ESP.
That’s a poured aggregate patio (I call it the upper patio) that was existing when we moved in, Philip. Eventually I plan to build a pergola over the whole thing. —Pam
Pam — You can imagine how much I am enjoying this post! Beautiful job on bringing that tree back into the garden — and isn’t it nice when there is a little money at the same time there is a project that needs doing?
I actually think the trampoline is not a bad feature at all; way better than blue tarps or orange snow fencing, both of which we’ve had neighbors stick right in the midst of the view. Can you introduce any other circular elements so it’s clear that this is an intentional feature? Maybe some interlocking groundcover circles or clumps of grass or yuccas? Circles on the fence? Then it’s the circle garden and not the trampoline corner.
I love suggesting ideas to someone else so I can ignore my own fence issues!
I’m intrigued by the circle idea, Linda. I’ll have to think it over. Thanks! —Pam
I liked the composition of your trampoline photo. Perhaps, as a contribution to the circular feel without compromising safety or access, you could plant some tussock grasses to go with the clump of whatever-it-is just in front of the trampoline? Some really tall grasses around the back might disguise that wonky fence a bit.
Nice idea, Chookie. Unfortunately, it’s too shady back there for grasses to do well. That flattened tussocky plant is an African iris, and even it is too shaded. I plan to remove it soon. Bowing to reality, I recognize that kids will trample anything planted close to where they get on and off the trampoline. However, I’m sure that I’ll find a good solution for disguising it a bit. My best bet will be to plant on the slope above it. —Pam