It is almost the end of the 3rd year of Gardening at Beach Road house. It is amazing to look back on the last three years and see how the garden is developing. I do much of the work myself so, even though I know a guy, I don’t have the luxury of paid help except for the occasional clean up and mulching or special project.
The view from the side of the house towards the water is now without a large cedar tree in the middle of the lawn. It is also home to the big pond where my koi are happy swimming in 4500 gallons of water. This year so far it is algae free because of the two large UV light filters I installed in the winter. The upgrade in the wattage should keep the volume clean even in the warmer weather. The pond sits in full sun so the struggle to keep the water algae free is real. A new screening fence also will help to hide the filter and the plumbing. Planted on the new fence is Star Showers Virginia Creeper, Lonicera japonica ‘Mint Crisp’, Clematis macropetala ‘Lagoon’, and Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Star of Toscane’. These should create an evergreen, fragrant, and varied screen of planted loveliness.
A place to sit near the water was installed with help from my crew this wet spring. The stone warms up nicely and keeps you warm while sitting by the water. Gone is the impenetrable screen of thorny bushes.
Large overgrown shrubs were removed from the walkway and a more tropical feel added to reflect the location of the house near a beach and the white stucco and tile roof that feels like California. I might think about a lovely honey color on the stucco to help it integrate into the surroundings more. The walk alongside the house has soft planters and good foliage to soften the stark corridor of stucco.
Looking into the back of the property the vegetable garden is beautiful in it’s space. The small greenhouse and garden shed help to support growing seeds and overwintering plants that are not hardy here. The Vegetable garden has fruit trees on the northeast side that will not block the sun. Espalier cherry trees and pear trees create fences along with fruit. Black landscape fabric creates a warm spot for pumpkins to ripen.
The front entry has been cleared back a little with dead alder trees and blackberry bushes removed. A rusty dented fence is gone and two palm trees and large metal containers create an entry of sorts. Still to come are trees along the edges to create a softer entry.
Two gardens on either side of Blue Heron Pond are now where the 12 foot banks of Blackberry and ivy used to be. The left side with the blue bottle tree is the shade garden (trees planted to create this shady spot). The Right side (south side) is a new bed that is yellow and red. Touches of white and orange make it a pretty hot color spot. I love the color punch that makes it visible from the driveway.
I’ve got more things planned for this year including a new tropical garden off the back of the Koi Pond with lush large leaved tropical plants creating a very different space. The side of the Koi pond will be an English garden complete with topiary trees and shaped hedges. The front entry will have more work along with some bamboo planted between the neighbor and I for screening from their garden shed. Berry vines will also be planted with the fruit trees.
I’ve been thinking hard about a name for the property. Traditionally in Scotland and many other areas the houses have names. This house is not a traditional style for the northwest so it’s name would not be about the house itself. I’m leaning towards ‘Rest and be Thankful’, the name of a pass in Scotland that when you reached the top of the hill you did just that. I’ve called it some harsh names while working on it, Thorny corner, Windy Bay, and Bird Poop Land were a few. I does, however, deserve a name worthy of the peaceful, green, windy, sunny space!
I’ll keep thinking! In the meantime take a look as some additional photos of the Beach Road Gardens below.
Two gardens on either side of Blue Heron Pond are now where the 12 foot banks of Blackberry and ivy used to be. The left side with the blue bottle tree is the shade garden (trees planted to create this shady spot). The Right side (south side) is a new bed that is yellow and red. Touches of white and orange make it a pretty hot color spot. I love the color punch that makes it visible from the driveway.
I’ve got more things planned for this year including a new tropical garden off the back of the Koi Pond with lush large leaved tropical plants creating a very different space. The side of the Koi pond will be an English garden complete with topiary trees and shaped hedges. The front entry will have more work along with some bamboo planted between the neighbor and I for screening from their garden shed. Berry vines will also be planted with the fruit trees.
I’ve been thinking hard about a name for the property. Traditionally in Scotland and many other areas the houses have names. This house is not a traditional style for the northwest so it’s name would not be about the house itself. I’m leaning towards ‘Rest and be Thankful’, the name of a pass in Scotland that when you reached the top of the hill you did just that. I’ve called it some harsh names while working on it, Thorny corner, Windy Bay, and Bird Poop Land were a few. I does, however, deserve a name worthy of the peaceful, green, windy, sunny space!
I’ll keep thinking!
