Zen Yard in the City
Yo!~
I'm picky.
In a city where having a garden seems to mean either spending major bank on a huge deck and an "agricultural architect" or tastefully arranging a few large rocks and three petunias in pots, it soothes my green soul to walk into a garden that has attitude.
Our own garden is a series of outdoor rooms...defined areas that flow into one another. Jenny, whose yard we visited last time, has a solid English flavor. Across the street from us is Somara & Paul's Zen garden. To me, there's no other word for the feeling of being able to take a deep breath...that feeling of safety...feeling you're in the home of a close friend.
 Their house is situated so that the yard is in the rear, to the West. This means that even before you see much greenage, the scent and moist air surround you as you enter through the breezeway along the side of the house. Being a Cubs fan, I have to tell you that it always gives me the same sense of wonder that coming up out of the concrete bowels of Wrigley Field into that green space does. You've been welcomed into someone else's world...perfect in its' way and shut off from the rest of reality.
 You come out of the breezeway onto a brick patio. To your right, a nice collection of hostas, may apples and ginger...left is a sitting area and plant table under the first floor deck. Past the hostas is an area that looks more like a watercolor painting than an arrangement of plants - layers of corydalis, variegated dogwood and spirea. Hidden behind that canvas is a pond, where a small gargoyle keeps watch over goldfish and koi.
The hair on the back of your neck rises slightly, as you realize that something is looming behind you...don't worry, it's just the hormonal Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. Behind the Walking Stick is a trellis that Paul made using some of the bamboo from our yard. It's completely covered now by sweet autumn clematis, and a great backdrop.
 
My favorite planting is at the northwest corner of the pond, where the pond rocks peek out from under the sedum, which is backed by Autumn Joy sedum and a reed-like clump of Siberian iris. I think the color and tactile contrasts just rock needed on that side of the path.
 Coming back to the path (by now, the Walking Stick seems to be guarding you) you notice a lovely monarda at your feet. The deep color, with a threadleaf coreopsis next to it, completes the group.
As long as your down here admiring the underfoliage of the roses and rudbeckia, your attention is caught by a bronze warrior head. Not only does this art piece not look odd sitting on the ground, there's a feel to it of security, being nestled in.
 Easing past the Walking Stick (now you can feel that it's definitely on your side as long as you don't dig anything up) your eyes go immediately to the huge hibscus blooms, which leads you to the limestone steps up to the garage door. The same path south takes you either to the side fence, where the gate to the neighbors' yard has bamboo woven into it and the fence has a crown of sweet Autumn clematis, or west past the brick garage covered in Concord grape vines and back out into the real world. Just be certain to say good-bye to your buddy, the Walking Stick....did he wave back?!
posted at 04:37 AM
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