July ends in the garden

Today I wanted to share a few photos of the back garden with you, taken before the start of August. 

I haven't been participating in the once a month photo meme but I realized (as I was loading the photos) maybe I actually have (unofficially) since I took some of these same shots at the end of June??

Below, view standing underneath the arbor (at the entrance to the garden:)

Reversing the view ~ standing in front of the birdhouse tuteur bed, looking back toward arbor:

The white cords you see in the photos (outlining the pathways) are white rope lights.  I turn them on at night to illuminate the garden.  It creates a beautiful (somewhat magical) effect that encourages night time viewing/visiting!  The heat this summer has made me even happier I installed them with after dark (and early mornings) being the only bearable times outdoors.

Below, same view as in photo above but at a more elevated angle:

You can see my small garden is segmented by pathways.  I'm sure many people would not find this look appealing but I LOVE the redesign (and so, might I add, do the bees, butterflies & birds!)  Since I read somewhere recently "the garden you should love the most, is your own" ~ I'd say it's working.  I never used to love my garden the most AT ALL but I am working my way in that direction now!

Below, standing behind the birdhouse tuteur looking toward the north bed (you can see the 5' spires of Agastache 'Blue Fortune' just beginning to bloom:)

Same view, moving a little closer:

I should have cleaned the birdbath before photographing! 

Below ~ view from the pathway on the opposite side of birdhouse tuteur bed:

Someone else who loves the pathway system (and thinks they were installed for him!:)

The newest bed ~ installed this spring was intended to have the Lilac standard as a focal point (it's hard to even find it below but it's behind the birdcage, if that helps.) 

As you can see, the tomato plants have more or less taken over.  My idea of mixing veggies with blooms possibly needed a bigger bed to be successful because this tangle of foliage was not what I envisioned!

At least it all appears to be happy & maybe that's all that matters??  

I feel like I've been neglecting my front garden this year (have I even shared ANY photos of it??!) but I can't seem to help it.  I like the back garden so much more ~ maybe it's time for a redesign out there??!!

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Carolyn]

A lovely walk through your beautiful gardens... and I love that you're designing your gardens to reflect what you love. That's how I garden... and it keeps a smile on my face.

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

I like seeing the overview of the garden Kathleen, very pretty. Like the idea of the rope lighting, clever. My dogs would run all over that pathway...or the garden, they are pretty rude about where they run. Your puppy is probably very nice and walks only on the pathways.

[Jennifer]

Your back garden is looking very nice, Kathleen. We used to have little white lights in our townhouse garden, but have never had a chance to install them in our present home. I used to love the romantic mood they set on a summer's eve.

[tina]

Those are lovely pathways and perfect for viewing your garden. The rope lights must look so good at night. A great idea!

[Lona]

Kathleen you garden is so lovely down along the pathway. Girl I love that idea of the rope lights. How beautiful it must be of an evening. Have a wonderful weekend.

[RobinL]

So lovely Kathleen! Maybe you are not suffering so much from the drought here? You don't see many overall shots from my garden this year, it's too discouraging. My neglect due to the knee surgery didn't help the cause. Next year it will be better. I lost my Green Envy last year, and the baby ones I planted this year disappered in the the summer from he**!

[PlantPostings]

Your pup is so cute! How nice to have the companionship in your lovely garden!