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Garden #5
Tvelia Garden - Stephani Avenue
When I moved to this home thirteen years ago, the yard
was heavily wooded and only had a small raised “stoop”
for outside enjoyment. The yard and landscaping have
undergone many transformations in the past thirteen
years. It began with the removal of seventeen trees and
then hand cutting of beds against the house in the
backyard. Those beds were soon filled with bulbs,
perennials, and annuals, and foundation shrubs.
Digging in the yard was always an adventure as this
entire property and most of the street were once a
rubbish yard. I uncovered the two large blue stone steps
that are now at the steps of the bluestone patio. In the
front corner, where the Buddleia, (Butterfly Bush)
Perovskia, (Russian Sage), and Rudbeckia Goldstrum
(Black Eyed Susan) are currently located, I unearthed a
chrome bumper from a 1950’s Buick, a white wall tire,
many pieces of assorted broken pottery and glass bottles
of various hues and sizes.
Slowly, as my gardening skills evolved so did my garden,
annuals replaced perennials, thousands of spring
flowering bulbs went in, as did the surrounding trees
and shrubs.
The front yard had plantings against the house including
the beautiful weeping Hemlock on the left side of the
front door and the Kousa Cornus, (Dogwood) which was
planted against the house on the right side. Several
other shrubs and trees were also planted against the
house, along with Juniperous Scolpulorum, Ilex Crenata
Sentinel, and several Azaleas.
The Kousa and a weeping Cherry can now be found in the
front island along with the Cooper Beech, my favorite
tree. The four Juniperous Scolpulorum and the Ilex
Crenata Sentinel were moved to the side yard and the
rear, to allow more room for their growth. They were
replaced with Blue Holly and Howardi Ilex.
Perennial additions to this bed include Asters,
Chrysanthemum, superbum “Becky”, (Daisy) and
Hemerocallis, Stella D’Ora, (repeat blooming daylily).
The azaleas are now found to the right of the Garden
rest in the rear garden.
The large pond was installed approximately eight years
ago, and the Koi arrived about four years later. The Koi
have all grown tremendously in the past three years, and
three of the smaller orange and black ones are “babies’
that were born in the pond.
Three years ago the garden room addition was added to
the house. At the same time the old wooden deck was
replaced by this new two level one of cedar and
bluestone. The new pond and bog garden next to the deck
were put in this spring.
As you wander through the garden, note the large Bracken
Beauty Magnolia, the Cryptomeria and English Laurel that
create an enclosure for the gazebo. Note too, the
Clematis Josephine and The President. The Daylilies,
Echinacea, lilies, both Oriental and Asiatic provide a
wonderful scent. The variegated Hostas, varieties
include, Blue Umbrella, Patriot, Ivory Coast, and
Aphrodite, provide repetition of design and an informal
border throughout the garden.
Filling in the various beds are, Spanish Bluebells,
Heuchera, (Coral Bells), Sisyrinchium (Blue Eyed
Grasses), and Coreopsis, as well as Daylilies,
California Poppies, Phlox (David).
The Harry Lauder Walking Stick provides a focal point
off the side of the lower deck.
Sit awhile on the garden bench and enjoy the soothing
sounds of the bubbling urn fountain, also a new addition
this spring. The natural “sculpture” by the arbor gate,
was a found tree root that was uncovered when the
foundation was dug for the addition.
Carol
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