Remember I told you a while back how I want to create a secret garden?
I know it's going to be an awful lot of work, and I want to make sure I do it right. I need to be happy with the results for a long, long time.
Since I'm never moving ever again!
Part of what I'm doing right now is working on the design plan. Much of that involves searching for ideas online....which is a ton of fun!
Once I have the design in place I can start to make it a reality, working in stages.
Here's what I've come up with thus far - what do you think?
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I definitely want a stone path leading into the garden. Without a doubt. I love the 'country' look of this path, and how natural the plantings look.
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Same with this path. It feels like it 'belongs', as do the various shrubs and flowers. And I most definitely want a little quiet sitting area to enjoy the gardens around me. There's just something so nice about having multiple seating areas around the property, to see things from various perspectives.
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This path doesn't have the same 'natural' feel as the others, but I do love the pebble mosaics! Perhaps I can incorporate a pebble mosaic into the sitting area somehow.
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I have been thinking it would be nice to have an arbor at the entry to the garden, it makes it feel like a true destination that way.
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Or perhaps I will have a rustic gate at the entry?
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Although a flower covered arch really calls out to me. It just feels so romantic, like a true cottage garden.
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I considered using large stones set in pea gravel for the seating area.
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Although I think large stones with ground covers in between such as moss or creeping thyme are more my thing.
I think these photos will help you get an idea of what's in my head.
Now I just need to get the time....and the muscle power....to make it happen!
Any volunteers? :)
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Sharing at:
I love all the wonderful photos of what you are planning. If you do an arbor, you could use two old door and a ladder across the top..or even another old door. I love the old stone with little plants between. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea, Susie, thanks for the inspiration!!
DeleteThis is going to be one of those projects that is (almost) as much fun to plan as it will be to have. Gardens lend themselves so nicely to cool and interesting ways to get from A to Z!
ReplyDeletePlanning and having? Both fun. Digging out old weedy grass and lugging in big rocks? Not so much fun....but necessary to achieve my vision!!
DeleteI love pathways. The more winding the better. And especially those that evolve over time.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I keep walking over there and trying to visualize it in my mind.....but it's not quite there yet.
DeleteThey all look lovely, but I think the second photo appeals most to me. I think a personal mosaic in the center of your seating area would look spectacular and knowing that you made it yourself is that much more special.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun dreaming about these things? You'll make it happen, I just know it!
I think I worry about the frost heaves with a mosaic the most. But a small one would be worth a try for starters, don't you think?
DeleteI like these! They do look like secret gardens straight out of a story book.
ReplyDeleteLisa
I wonder if that's why I have always been drawn to a garden such as this? I had a big book of Aesop's Fables that I was addicted to as a kid!
DeleteOh my goodness I love it! We are putting up a retaining wall in our backyard right now and I hope to make a "secret garden" cove in the corner but I hadn't thought of how to connect it to the rest of the yard - a stone path of sorts would be ideal.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd love to see your secret garden when it's done, Anny!
DeleteYou've got some great inspiration photos. Pinterest has a lot too, maybe you got yours there. That place is addicting. :-)
ReplyDeletePeople have told me our whole place is a secret garden as you wouldn't believe what all is in here from coming off the 5 lane road out front.
Have fun, gardening is such a joy even with hard work.
FlowerLady
No doubt that is exactly why I love your garden and your plum cottage so much, Lorraine!
DeleteI love stone pathways, LOVE THEM ALL! I'm drooling as I look at all these gorgeous gardens. We created a tiny little path at our previous house and I planted creeping thyme between the stones. I love creeping thyme so much, that I dug up a bunch, just before moving, to take to our cottage. They really spread and look lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I'd love to plant, Carol - creeping thyme!!
DeleteI love all these pictures, but the one featuring the rustic gate has my name on it. I would love this for myself.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so gorgeous I think I would be happy with any of them!
DeleteThey are all so gorgeous I think I would be happy with any of them!
DeleteGorgeous pictures! I like the meandering paths and the mosaic set into the path. That would be very pretty in a seating area. The arch with the lemons is fabulous but that definitely not work in zone 5. You would enjoy a secret garden. xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh not a chance, Donna - those lemons would be dead in a heartbeat in my zone!
DeleteI love the path in the last picture and the path would be so very important in a secret garden, wouldn't it? Have you ever read Elizabeth Buchan's Consider the Lily? It's about a secret garden. She also wrote more hip books like The Good Wife Strikes Back, but I think she did her most beautiful writing in Consider the Lily.
ReplyDeleteGood gardening luck to you as you plan and develop your Secret Garden!
Dewena
Thanks, Dewena, I'm off to look up that book now!
DeleteEvery picture----just gorgeous! I do think the mosaic path blends well and looks very natural because of the color. I love the arbors too! Your yard already is looking amazing and you can accomplish so much over the years
ReplyDeleteI am a person who has always wanted it yesterday not tomorrow! But through the years I have learned to be a little more patient....
DeleteEvery picture----just gorgeous! I do think the mosaic path blends well and looks very natural because of the color. I love the arbors too! Your yard already is looking amazing and you can accomplish so much over the years
ReplyDeleteAn arbor, an arbor! And moss covered stone pathways.
ReplyDeleteFantastic inspiration, such beautiful photos and gardens. :)
Thanks!! I do love the arbor....I had built one myself out of saplings I cut in the forest in my previous house. I might end up doing the same again!
DeleteYou got me thinking about my own secret garden! I just adore the path with the little mosaic stones = gorgeous! Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see more about your homestead now that you're back, Vickie!
DeleteI love the idea of a secret garden. I had to smile to myself in viewing your photos. I have saved a lot of the same ones for future reference. Good luck with your project. I can't wait to see the end result.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike, don't they, Pattie?
DeleteI think secret garden ideas are so pretty. Very cottage-y like. The small strip of land between our house and our neighbor's property on the south side of our house is almost like a secret garden. We have a stone paver path leading to the patio - plants and flowers line the pathway. I've been wanting an arbor leading into this area, but I don't know if that's going to happen this year.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so charming, Melanie! I'm sure an arbor would be just perfect there!
DeleteI really like the second picture and I think an arbor or a trellis of some sort would be so nice. With all the work you do I was wondering if you ever have time to sit in the sitting areas? Nancy
ReplyDeleteOnce spring is past I find a little more time to sit...and I sit in the evenings with my cocktail....and in the mornings with my coffee!
DeleteOh you and I are garden kindred spirits. I love these images. We so appreciate you joining the Thoughts of Home on Thursday gathering. May you have a delightfully lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteKindred spirits indeed, Laura!
DeleteI really like the second picture and I think an arbor or a trellis of some sort would be so nice. With all the work you do I was wondering if you ever have time to sit in the sitting areas? Nancy
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a secret garden! At our last house we had a stone path that led to a hidden corner of the yard. There's just something special about the feeling of a stone path that leads to nowhere but a special spot in nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining Thoughts of Home. :)
How lovely, Stacey, and I'm sure you will create something equally fabulous leading to your new pond!!
DeleteEach picture is so inspiring. I'll have to redesign my small garden some day and I love each of these pictures. I need a stone paved path NOW!
ReplyDeleteAs do I! I also need stepping stones through my jungle of a perennial bed for sure!
DeleteI love them all. I think the birdbath will work in my yard but I still have the problem of labor too.
ReplyDeleteI knew I should have had a son - ha ha!!
DeleteI am swooning but like always im sure anything you do will be gorgeous and amazing!
ReplyDeleteXO Ellen from Ask Away Blog
www.askawayblog.com
I am honored that you have such faith in me, Ellen!
DeleteOh, my gosh! So much beautiful inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.
It's hard not to want to rip out all my gardens and start over, looking at some of those photos!!
DeleteI love paths in the garden. They give it such a quaint and cottage feel. I love arbors and gates. Either one will be lovely! I have used a stone path inside of one of my gates with little plantings in between and I love it! I also made a small sitting area with flagstone on the side of my home. It's a little secret hide away. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
How lovely, Jann! Sounds like your home is a little slice of heaven for sure!
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