Developing my site..

[MrNorth]

Hi!

The forum is a bit quiet I think... perhaps u are all oou and attending your gardens now when the spring has finally arrived. In sweden we had a week of hot weather, which caused the magnolia to bloom and some of the plants to start grow, but now its cold and boring again. The only think that I can see is growning, are the weeds

Well I took some pics of a new corner of my garden, and I am very eager to get some comments, suggestions for improvements etc.

First is a photo from the main view;

[url=https://img270.imageshack.us/my.php?image=back016vv.jpg][img]https://img270.imageshack.us/img270/35/back016vv.th.jpg[/img][/url]

You can see that I'm trying to create an interesting back view there...

Here is a closeup of that (under development) back view;

[url=https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=back020eq.jpg][img]https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/306/back020eq.th.jpg[/img][/url]

Ima using some japanese maples, ferns, rhododendhron and some stones. I have a lack of inspiration on how to make this part of my garden interesting, if u have any ideas, thoughts, please let me know


Here is the back from another view;

[url=https://img56.imageshack.us/my.php?image=back036ai.jpg][img]https://img56.imageshack.us/img56/6356/back036ai.th.jpg[/img][/url]

I am thinking about making a bamboo fence at the back, to create arear focal point.... Still trying to figure out the design.

Here is a pic of my front yard and the sukiya-mon gate. I had problems with color balance in this pic, please excuse...

[url=https://img381.imageshack.us/my.php?image=front018gu.jpg][img]https://img381.imageshack.us/img381/8180/front018gu.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Well any comments, suggestions and design thoughts are most welcome! Aspecially how to get a nice touch on that rear arrangement...


kind regards and happy gardening
Henrik

[MrNorth]

I have another "request"... on the second and third pic, u can see that my garden lack a rear focal point, like a fence or something. And I would really like to make a bamboo fence of some kind... nothing fancy or difficult, just simple, and not too high, perhaps 1 m. Do you have any nice pics or something of rustic wabi-sabi fences? I visited a japanese garden a while back, but that bamboo fence had big holes in it, because it allowed the outside viewers to "peek" in... Nothing that is suitable for me I think.

Here it is:
[url=https://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fence9lx.jpg][img]https://img390.imageshack.us/img390/6115/fence9lx.th.jpg[/img][/url]

kind regards
henrik

[MrNorth]

I have been thinking, would it be prudent to add a yotsume-gaki at the back border of my garden? I read yesterday that it is a very common fence to use aspecially when making borders. And I really don't want to add a big plank wall because of the lovely green trees in the background.

Thoughts?

/Henrik - who is wondering why no one replies to his posts... ds

[meesh]

I think that a fence would be a great addition. Two fences, maybe? They wouldn't have to be huge or long. One on the front bed could be short and a copy of a larger one at the back bed.

[MrNorth]

Hi!

Two fences are not a bad idea. I tried using paint shop pro to make some kind of concept drawing of my idea with the yotsume fence.

[url=https://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=yotsumegakidesignconcept3pr.jpg][img]https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8541/yotsumegakidesignconcept3pr.th.jpg[/img][/url]

I have read as much as I can find about how one should use this fence, and I have found several notes about that it was used for property borders. Thats exactly what I want it for. To create a rear focalpoint and a clear border for the garden. My only worry is that this design will be too distracting for the visitor with all the squares. It will take some time before the plants start to cover it as I want them to...

Since I have only put the support poles into the ground, there is not too late for me to change my mind about the design

Kind regards
Henrik

[meesh]

That looks awesome. I wish I was as computer savvy. By the way your garden is beautiful if no one has told you yet.

[MrNorth]

Hi!

Thanks for your suggestions! Are you by any chance a japanese gardener? Comments and thoughts are always appreciated!

For me, the yotsume-gaki doesnt feel 100 % right to use here. Simply because it has a really powerful impression, one can say it has too much yang in it... and I think its rather distracting to watch. But hey, u thought it was good so I guess its up to the viewer.

Well, I made another design based on a japanese garden fence in my area, it will be a bit more expensive to build, but it looks better for me I think. It gives the garden a clear rear focal point + it is no way nere as distracting to watch at.


[url=https://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=yotsumegakidesignconcept28ad.jpg][img]https://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3331/yotsumegakidesignconcept28ad.th.jpg[/img][/url]

My friends also suggested I skip the garden and uses a hedge instead, if I had enough stone in my garden that would be a viable option, but for now, it just feels like there is too much green already. Aspecially with the lawn, and it isnt going anywhere in the first place lol..... And transporting heavy stone to the garden has proven difficult.....

cya later
HEnrik

[meesh]

No, I'm not really a japanese gardener. I do enjoy them very much, we have a wonderful japanese garden here in Portland.
I do like the first, more open fence better, it doesn't seem so harsh to the eye. I think it would also allow for future plantings better.

[MrNorth]

Hi!

Soon I have to flip a coin I think because sometimes I like the first better, and sometimes I like the second.

I think, that if I vary the height of the sencond one, by perhaps 1 dm or so for each of the sections between the poles then I create a much more interesting scene. I have no concept pics of it now, but it will remove some of the feeling of an "artificial symmetrical wall" which is something one should avoid.
What do u think? Please check the pic in my top post from teh japanese garden I visisted. I had that as a base when I deviced this new design...


/Henrik