At least part of its limited "artificial landscape" should be organized to provide an area where you can relax and think, a peaceful observation point. I prefer a natural area "planted" instead of the antiquated booth jardÃn-casa structure. Although we all want some homosexual flowers and bright sunshine, also need the isolation of a quiet place, a cool reflective private place. Here you will almost taste the freshness of the air we breathe. You can listen to mourning doves, and let the wind Phoebe, the theft of the Maple. Smell the hot dry scent of summer, the fragrance of the lilac is derived in the breeze.
Our own private retreat is a shade cool spot, a hill above the stream. A slope and a stream are, of course, not essential. Only came to be there for us.
Level demolished, the hideout of terrace is twenty meters in length and 14 wide. Two maples spread shady. We did a small retaining wall on two stones of high (three in some places) to retain the Bank on the one hand and keep the Earth the other side. A rope hammock is attached at one end for the post of cedar, to that effect and at the other end to one of the maples.
Birds and the point of view of the worm
When you are in the hammock is sometimes below the world and sometimes above it as look you at which side of the hammock from. On the one hand searching in the curve of the Prairie. The land lies above and below. On the other hand are in the green of the trees looking down through leaves for the stream with a totally different perspective. That is, to our way of thinking, a great trick and makes its hammock fascinating place never be.
The withdrawal of the terrace is shadow, but the sun shines beyond of the extremities of the maples. Japanese IRIS grows in the Sun halos in the area where we sit; so does the ladder of Jacob, flowers of may in July, the violet flowers played with each stem of lovely foliage and white a small green staircase.
On the other side of the terrace of a section of Dutchman's breeches spills by a steep bank Rocky to the edge of the stream. The flowers we salute at the end of April when they begin the first days of the hammock. A rose and a white Cornejo add shadow and beauty. Cluster of lilies-of-la-Valle (especially for the fragrance) bass; parades of flower of foam-in-soft white along the shore; Gold thread looks out of the leaves; Jack-in-the-Pulpit is born of dignity in the lea of the wall; Trillium white, bloody and red and yellow wild columbine blooms in succession; forget-me-nots blue and Cardinal flowers thrive on the edge of the stream; Bells of Virginia nod their flowers Bell flank the terrace up and down the Hill and ginkgo, cinnamon ferns Royal grace the area.
Although pine trees are nearby, pine needles cover the floor of the terrace, we have access to a source well of them. Each spring spread a carpet of fresh and perfumed needles gathered at two quilts old dumped in the back of the car and get home. Contribute a pungent odor, a rich brownness, and a carpet of four inches deep, pleasant, soft and resilient to walk to.
A place to call their own
Not have some small area of the same possibility, a remote corner with no sun, an area of trees, a tangle of perhaps, even a grim place where grows things has been difficult? If so, with some pruning, replanning and possibly additional planting you can create an ideal refuge with hammock, simple comfortable furniture and possibly a few old stumps of special character. The area can be large or small really small - and still achieve their purpose, still become a cozy place for distance while an hour or a day, a space dedicated to not do so, but the simple art of being.
Our retirement shadow has given us the opportunity to grow some of the most beautiful of plants, ferns, some conifers, some shrubs and many flowers. Shadow most plants do not need any special attention once they are established.
Laurel mountain is a large evergreen leaves wide area isolated shade. Want to peaty, sandy soil, always acid (not CALs). Rhododendron is another good perennial flowering. When he looks out the window in winter, rhododendrons indicates the temperature. When you see the leaves curly as cigars, is very, very cold and best put in that extra sweater.
Humid and acid
Azaleas in shades of Crimson, pink, flame, white and yellow are particularly successful in a forest environment. Some are fragrant. The plants grow from two to ten meters in height. Acidic soils and oak leaf mulch is beneficial. The white fragrant flowers of the swamp azalea open in July, after the other. You don't have their feet in a swamp to thrive, but shade and rich soils of leaf mould are given.
Other favorite plants for shade are crested iris, countless varieties of native wild violets and myrtle Vinca (Vinca minor). Heart of bleeding (the variety of height) and begonias (especially tuberous) add love. Blue Phlox is lavender with a scent of meadow. Plant has white flowers and blue and the grey and green leaves. Each flower lasts only one day, but many flowers come continually. Japanese Anemone leads resistant pink flowers. Mist flower displays hairy violet blue flowers in the autumn and spreads beautifully.
This shaded area provides a splendid holiday destination for many of the plants which will also add a decorative note.
Tuberous Begonias in baths will be precious, and if by chance go orchids, as we are, here is the dream for the orchids of summer. As Sun morning or afternoon, so our crash (using cut in re-shaped old wire hangers) in the trees on the edges of the area and establish some on the walls of containment where are Sun until about eleven in the morning and four in the afternoon.
