Favorite views
I'm on the road today, but thought I would show you some of my favorite views of my garden before autumn eats it.
Not really a tour, but you'll see the same plants from different angles which may help orient you.
I've never been happier with this part of the garden, which this year I planted with tropicals and tender grasses.
Works so well with the castor beans in the background! The deck needs a bit more stain, but the two-tone color scheme... I like!
Hard to believe that in a month everything you see here except the bamboo and fernspray cypress (difficult to see right now) will be gone.
Although the veggie bed fence is not yet complete, I love this view down to it now:
Vertigo fountain grass is such a feature plant!
My back is sort of to the veggie beds in this one -- not a view I share too often:
People ask why I grow so many different bamboos. This is why -- look how well they work together! (There are at least 7 bamboos visible in that shot)
This may be my favorite view -- you only get it when standing at the edge of the yard by the veggie beds and turning around:
I don't want to toot my own horn too much, but I think I did a great job here.
Another view that is better this year than last due to the addition of some grasses and letting the maypop vines grow a little wild:
The big Miscanthus is really floppy this year. Not enough water lately? Shaded too much now? Let's see what happens next year.
The side beds are tired now, but there's enough here that I still love it:
Finally...
I need to move the furniture about a bit, but I like having it here!
I hope you enjoyed these views!
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Alan - I have to say that your garden looks spectacular!!!! love the textures and the lush colours! So beautiful and full!
Thanks Barbie, and good to hear from you! (It's been a long time)
As always, a pleasure to view Alan. Bamboo is what first had me stumble across your blog but variety is what keeps me checking in almost daily.
Great job sir!
Rick-Vancouver Island
Rick: Thank you! Thanks for coming back regularly too -- a garden can't be all bamboo, right? :)
You garden is so incredibly lush it looks as though it is in a more temperate climate than Mo. I should have known you when I lived there although I fear you may not have been a gardener at that point in time. I don't know what you fed them but it certainly works. And yes, the views are the best.
OK, I'll say it: LUSH! It's like everything is on steroids. Love it.
Your garden looks gorgeous! The third and fifth pictures are my favorites as they show a slightly different perspective than I remember. The fifth is positively magical with your huge musa basjoo and beautiful bamboos. Oh that summer could linger a bit longer.
Your garden is an inspiration to me. I have follewed your blog for years and have coppied many of your ideas. My garden now features tons of foliage and texture. Although i cannot sucessfully grow bamboo here on Denver i now have plenty of awesome banannas, cadtor beans, and cannas in my garden thanks to you.
Gerhard: The only time you don't remark on how lush or green my garden looks is when I post mid-winter. :)
Peter: Thanks! Love that view of the bananas too. Must enjoy it while I still can...
Ben: What a nice thing to say! I'm so glad I could inspire you, even in a small way. About the bamboo: they do grow bamboo at the Denver Zoo, so perhaps you can too? (Depends upon wind exposure in the colder growing zones -- if you have a spot protected from most wind, that might do it)
I have seen the bamboo at the Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic gardens. They look somewhat ratty most years and they have located them into the best microclimate they can find.
I also have a few bamboo plants in my yard, but they never get any size and seem to languish. I'm considering pulling them out all together but don't have the heart to do it. ....just wish they would look as big and beautiful as yours.
I honestly believe it is our low winter humidity that ruins bamboo in our climate.
Ben: try tying the bamboo to the ground and tarping over them. I've used opaque white plastic sheeting for this before, which traps moisture and protects the leaves from the cold, dry winds. Works great on plants that are not too tall.