For Whimsy and Romance
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 5:00AM
Deborah Elliott in garden ornaments, garden ornaments, lady garden, lady garden, romance of gardening, spring flowers

Lou was balanced on a ladder in the Lady Garden, stretching upward to hang a relatively heavy wrought iron chandelier from a tree branch.

I was down below, holding the ladder steady on the uneven ground so that he wouldn't fall, and more importantly, so that the ladder wouldn't tip over and crush a native azalea I have been nursing along for two years and which has finally begun to take hold.

 

"This isn't very practical," Lou said.

"Practical? Who said anything about practical? This is for fun. It's a whimsy. Why, it's for romance!"

With the word romance hanging in the air, Lou hushed his complaints and got into the spirit of the affair.

The chandelier is a new addition to the Lady Garden. It's not my fault I bought it. I was with friends when I found it, and they all insisted it would look fabulous in my garden and it was such a great buy, how could I pass it up? I would have walked away if I had been by myself, but, you know, they were right.

The chandelier holds six candles and is hanging between the arbor swing and a small but comfortable wooden bistro set, also a recent purchase. It is the perfect place for sitting with a relaxing drink and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Lady Garden and the surrounding area. Nesting bluebirds are nearby, as well as hawks and owls. Lou says he is looking forward to our date.

The Lady Garden, the newest addition to my gardens, is a feminine space with repetition of curves and flourishes. I raised three boys, so I think I am entitled! Echoing shapes, as well as materials and color, helps to unify a space. Below is a photo of the chandelier and a few other decorative touches in the Lady Garden.

This time of year the Lady Garden is surrounded by dogwoods and other flowering trees in bloom. Here are a few shots taken in and around the area:

I am waiting for most of the plantings in this area to mature, but a few colorful annuals add some color to the green shrubs and other plants.1st row: purple verbena; Cheilanthes argentea, my new favorite fern. 2nd row: boxwood; ajuga. 3rd row: decorative kale; osmanthus frangrans. 4th row: epimedium; pansies from the big box store.

Though life is serious business, I hope you will always leave a little place for whimsy, just for the fun of it, and for romance!

Note: I realize my last post also contained the word Romance in the title, but I just couldn't help it!

Article originally appeared on Deb's Garden Blog (http://debsgarden.squarespace.com/).
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