Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A 33 Foot Long Hidden Arbor

It is a delight to see the response of guests as they open the gate to the 33 foot long arbor. It is partially  hidden by a large lilac and juniper tree. A few years ago this narrow full sun side yard was hot and dry.  It was while visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens that I got the idea of putting an arbor that would run along the side yard that leads to the back garden.   And, of course, Ted designed and made this arbor. I promised him that it would be the last arbor I would think up and so far so good.  I still have 2 more arbors that I have not introduced in this blog, so indeed enough is enough.   But, this arbor is a delight. I don’t think I want vines to cover it.  It is fun to be able to look down and through it from  from our upstairs bedroom.

Blue Wooly Speedwell (veronica pectinata) is one of my favorite ground covers.  It is a true zone 4 xeric. It is also not attractive to deer or bunnies.  I have it in several places in the garden. On the left side I have been letting the raspberries spread.  The yellow painted gate at the end says “Welcome to our Garden”. I love it when first time visitors say as they open the gate “It’s a secret garden”



Trumpet vines bloom in the summer.  I have been taming the growth on the right side creating spaces for vegetable to grow

20 comments:

  1. Gloria, what a clever use of space. Most people do not know what to do with their side yards, they are so long and narrow. But this makes a feature out of what could be a little used space. I love the fact that it is not cluttered with vines, you can really see it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Deborah, the side yard has become a favorite. I look forward to early morning visits to the raspberries. There is an old pink moss rose that grows on the side. So fragrant and thick with petals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gloria,
    This is really nice and the speedwell path is awesome. It does need some climbers over the top though. Have you thought about climbing aster, what a display in the fall and butterflies will cover it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is just a dream Gloria. That blue speedwell is fabulous. You are a great designer!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The arbor is awesome! The speedwell too is a great idea for your ground cover. I shouldn't have looked, now you've given me more ideas...

    How long did it take to build?

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's lovely, just lovely. It doesn't need vines.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Once Ted had figured out what he wanted, he bought 10, 10ft redwood post. Plus the lumber he needed. He primed and painted them before construcition. He dug 10 30" holes with a post hole digger and carefully leveled the post. He tamped in the dirt so that these post are solid. We have removed in the past another arbor. The post are so solid that we had to dig around them and jack them out of the ground. I can't remember how long it took. He got right on the project. Definetely "some assemby was requred" - Gloria

    ReplyDelete
  8. In our zone 4 it is hard to find a climber that blooms and grows tall enough. I might try a morning glory. I have trumpet vines on the south side of the arbor.But they grow straight up giving a bit of shade. I also have on the opposite side of the arbor a grape and a porcelain berry vine (ampelopsis brevipendunculata 'elegans') Our area is very hot and dry, but I've added some vegetables and lots of mulch and the soil is improving. If anyone has a blooming vine that I could try let me know. With all my arbors, I have tried lots of vines. The porcelain berry vine and the grape are several years old and yet to reach the top. Thanks for all the comments, I love them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, I don't knnow. To walk beneath it as flowers dangle down, and to watch bees go at them upside down or in contorted positions, that would be something, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Gloria,

    I love the arbor and how it reaches along the entire side of the house. The speedwell and trumpet vine play well off of each other with their contrasting colors. I look forward to seeing your remaining arbors.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gloria, This is beautiful, and so warm and welcoming; it just draws you in. This arbor says "welcome to my garden" even without a sign. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful idea! I love when people turn their side yards into something pretty like you did.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gloria:
    Oohhh! Gorgeous but being the 'shady' character that I am, I would love to see this clothed in vines - wisteria and the like- to create a wonderfully shaded walkway, filled with mystery and allure. Of course it looks wonderful as it is. What a treasure offer unsuspecting visitors. If you ever do decide to go shady, let me know. 'Twould be a wonderful space to have a vicarious virtual garden!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a terrific idea. I'd love to try something similar in my own gardens -- as I have nothing but hot, hot sun. We're growing lots of the same plants! Trumpet vines, William Baffin roses and Speedwell between the stepping stones. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. A beautiful arbor, Gloria. I just love the speedwell, Trumpet vines, and William Baffin Rose. It most definitely draws you in. I have really been enjoying the garden tour, and I look forward to more photos! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful arbor Gloria! The colour of the speedwell seems to really come to life with the white arbour. I've been enjoying looking through your blog - you have such a beautiful and inspiring garden!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a very special place - I agree with your visitors who call it a secret garden. One thing that makes a great garden is a delightful surprise. I like the lushness of your summer photos. I planted creeping veronica a couple years ago, and it has become one of my favorites. Yours is perfect with the stepping stones running through.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Gloria - what an arbour - its incredible. Have you ever seen a Laburnum Walk arbour before. Your carpeting plants at the base just set it off. wonderful post!

    Rosie

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is so lovely, Gloria. I think you are inspired to leave it mostly open, and the path strewn with little blue flowers is so gorgeous, I think I too would like to look down on it from the bedroom window. :)

    ReplyDelete