Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Turning A Hedge Into Entries

For decades I've designed gardens. What I know for sure? It's not about the plants. By the time someone contacts me they are in a new chapter of life, sometimes a new book. Are they aware? Mostly, no.
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When the garden is born again, their life is changed.
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My job is to "capture the humanity of what is under way".
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Myriad times I've taken 1-2 plants out of a hedge & put in a path. Creating 2 entries instead of 2 dead-ends. Isn't the vocabulary stunning? Entries vs. dead-ends.

Then, it happened to me. A hedge in front of my home became entries.

Within the new hedge/entry a potager became a gravel terrace with adirondack chairs, a place to have lunch, talk on the phone, eat breakfast, read, sit still waiting for hummingbirds to fly so close I can hear their wings. And the Chinese snowball blossoms drop their petals in benediction of the foxgloves, above, about to bloom next.
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How could I know when the entry was born I would have a new room to LIVE in? And I had entered a new chapter.
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It's easier to see a new chapter in a client's life.
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Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
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Pics taken in my garden last week. I've done more than the Bay Terrace the past year. A Conservatory, Tea Olive Terrace, Natchez Terrace. Though I didn't know it while creating these garden rooms they have given me the strength to finish a book in my life.

4 comments:

  1. I LOVE IT! I have a few plants that need some attention - they were planted in too much shade and too sandy of soil before we bought this place. I have a couple of HUGE terra cotta pots that will be perfect for them! THANKS for sharing the idea.
    'hugs from afar'

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  2. You are so right. It is not about the plants. Its all about creating a setting for a lifestyle.
    How often are you told by a client at the first meeting which plants they prefere? Happens to me all the time.... we talk spaces for entertaining, or contempaltion and I'm reminded "don't forget... I love Holyhocks!"
    New Book in your life?.... Do tell all!

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  3. I wonder if it is possible for you to consult with us via email and photos?

    Meanwhile, I had the idea to place our small pedestal grill in the garden; I'll send you a diagram.

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  4. Si! By the time a designer works to make the function work beautifully (and meeting codes, clear sight triangles, etc), the plantings become what they are, not the only thing. Though I will say creating a strong sense of place w/ plants is very important here, to me at least.

    Cool stuff, P. Barbuda.

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