This is what we call "the pathway". This is the area that runs along our deck from the pond over to the raised beds that I showed in the post Moonscape makeover. This area was just dirt, weeds and roots. We knew that under the pine, cedar and large Japanese maple no grass would grow here. I think a previous owner may have attempted to grow some since there were a few clumps here and there. We had to bring quite a bit of fill dirt in to level the area out. The back yard slopes down towards our back fence. All the stepping stones were brought in by us over many trips from the rockery.
This was some pretty heavy work. Each stone had to be fit sort of puzzle style to fit appropriately. We had many yards of topsoil delivered as well as the fill dirt. Many wheelbarrows full later we had filled in between all the stones. Along the path to the left side is a large Ponderosa pine, flowering currant, hellebores, Wargrave Pink geraniums, bleeding hearts, bluebells, a large red rhododendron, camellia and tiarella. It's pretty dry under that pine, so I do have to do extra watering in the summer. To the right are mostly purple palace heucheras and more self seeded Wargrave Pink geraniums that seem to thrive there. The Japanese maple is to the right as you head toward the curve of the path.
At the curve of the path to the left is a cedar tree. Sword ferns, hellebores, hostas, huckleberry and hydrangeas all grow in a nice grouping. They all seem to like the acidic soil that is in this area. Just around the curve takes you past another rhodie, this one is lavender and grows in a very unusual contorted way.
Here is another view of the path during the summer. The blue star creeper is in bloom. Scotch moss also grows between some of the stepping stones.
I love how the path connects the two areas. I often stand at one end or the other of the path to get different perspectives of the garden. This was definitely worth the hard work. I'm trying to add more native plants now, because I would like to make it a little less work in the summer. I'll be posting new pictures in the spring as many of the flowers in this area bloom then.
Next stop, the pond...
Just beautiful, how long did it take you to make that path? I love the post on the primroses from the grocery store, will you plant them outside? I just bought my first two about a month ago, I live in North Florida and was told to plant them in the coolest area of my gardens. I found you on blotanical and added you to my bloglist!!
ReplyDeleteomg, Catherine. What an amazing transformation. I can appreciate all the hard work it took to get to the point it is now. Congrats to you for creating such a beautiful place. It's really, really pretty.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteBoy! I wish my garden looked nice like that! What a lovely place to stroll through. Your hard work has paid off! A wonderful oasis, if you ask me. I've been looking for Blue Star Creeper- I love the little blue flowers and my mom wants that for an area in her new house. I need to try and find some seed this year!
Darla - It probably took us several weekends of non stop work.
ReplyDeleteThe primroses will go outside. Possibly somewhere in this path area. They are a perennial here, and I think they do like to have some shade. They are pretty tough though. Thanks so much for adding me. I'll visit your blog today when I get back.
Kathleen - Thanks. I wish I had more pictures from the other direction. It really has become a favorite part of the yard for us.
Tessa- It is fun to take my little tours of the garden through there. The blue star creeper grows quickly if it likes where it is. I dig out chunks and just plop them down somewhere else with a little water and they just go!
What a big difference. I would stand there too and just think how beautiful it is.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the most gratifying things to stand and enjoy the view from your own backyard. You've done a great job. I love stone. A stone walkway can transform a space in to a thing of beauty. Looks like it's enjoyable from the deck too.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, it certainly looks like it was worth the hard work. I love a twisting path the leads to a mysterious end. Everything about this is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Since lawn grasses require fertilizers which the soil bacteria doesn't need and it also requires something to mow it with, I am in the process of getting rid of the lawn grass altogether. In its place is everything that I can afford that is native and things like clump bamboo.
ReplyDeleteMy backyard birds come here and allow me to photograph them because I have created a sanctuary and habitat they prefer.
It looks like your side yard is something like I would prefer. And the shaded spots are a place for some plants that feed the hummingbirds here. In fact I like your blog quite a bit.
Backyard Birds
That is gorgeous, Catherine? If that's what you're looking at right now, spring and summer are going to be heavenly for you! Our back is a bake oven much in need of some shade trees.
ReplyDeleteTina - Thanks! It's hard to tell from the before picture, that was after we'd already done a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteAnna - Thank you. I love how the stone turned out too.
Frances - I really like how it turns right at the cedar tree, it's so green and bright under there in the spring and summer. I like little surprise areas in a garden that you don't see until you come around the corner.
Abraham Lincoln - Thanks for your compliments. There are cape fuchsia's that grow along the back side of the path (I forgot to mention) and the hummingbirds are there all summer. I too am trying to create an area that birds will want to visit. We get quite a few varieties and several that next here in the spring.
You have beautiful photos on your blog!
Melanthia - It's not quite that nice now, although the trees and rhodies keep it looking pretty nice most of the year. Lot's of bulbs are beginning to sprout now. Sometimes I wish we had a bit more sun in our small backyard, but it's also nice to have somewhere cool to go on a hot day.
ReplyDeleteMmm, so pretty! YOU have the acidic soil that I'm always wishing for . . . Thanks for sharing the garden tour.
ReplyDeleteVW
Wow, what a difference. I just love what was done, the stone and your plantings. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh such a pretty pathway! We aren't very good at hardscaping here. It always seems too difficult to do ourselves, and too expensive to hire out. Maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteVW - That's the positive about so many cedar and pine trees around here.
ReplyDeleteLona -Thanks, it turned out pretty nice, always a work in progress for me though.
Msrobin - Thanks. It is pretty heavy work, luckily I can convince my husband to do most of the work!
My pickers aren't showing up on Blotanical, so thanks to anyone who has picked this post :)
I want to show this to my husband, because we have an area that needs a path, as our dog is running and digging the grass out.
ReplyDeleteI love what you have done. Your hard work paid off in beauty that you will enjoy each and every day. This is a nice garden tour that you are taking us on.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely way to start this morning.
FlowerLady
catherine, I am so glad I found you. We obviously have similar ideas (gardener in progress - love it), and I love your path and cherish my similar one. cheers, catmint
ReplyDeleteCatherine - 'The Pathway' is just fantastic! What an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBTW - how on earth did you get pictures of your husband working with you? Mine would 'walk off the job' if I ever pulled out my camera during gardening!