Circular reasoning: New garden design
If you’ve been following the design of my new circle garden, you might be wondering how it looks now that the initial planting and mulching have been done. Here’s a nearly 360-degree look at the space. Pictured above is the view as you come into the back yard from the front. The chess-pawn ornament anchors the center, and four x-shaped paths lead into and out of the circular lawn. I’m still working on terminating each sight line—the long view across the space—from each path with a focal point. For now, a rooster ornament and low iron fence at the far end of this path capture the eye.
This is a steeply sloping lot that the previous owners terraced when they added the pool five years ago. The circular lawn is not flat, but the slope is not too great. Beyond the trees in the middle ground, however, a sharp drop of four or five feet leads down to the trampoline nook and a decomposed-granite path along the fence line that climbs back up toward the pool.
Lisa asked yesterday if I was taking some of my photos from a second-story window. No, I’ve been using the vantage point of this elevated deck, which overlooks the circle garden. The deck, we’ve discovered, gets blazing hot, even before summer has arrived, and I’m fantasizing about roofing it. The roofline along the back of the house is tricky, however, so it’s a job for a pro.
Panning to the right, you see the sloping path that leads up to the gate to the front yard. When the budget allows, I’m going to replace this fence with a lattice-topped one (like the fence I built on the other side of the house) and push the whole gated section back toward the street, opening up the side yard to the back.
Notice the limestone ledge that I incorporated into the path. The rock outcroppings make a natural couple of steps. Which is good, because they weren’t going anywhere. The really big rock has been dubbed Pride Rock by my daughter, who likes to play on it with her plastic animals. I promised to plant only low grasses or sedges just in front of Pride Rock so that her animals can graze as they used to when it was only lawn.
The focal point for this sight line will be the purple-leaf acacia, which I hope will one day grow into a beautiful, arresting specimen tree. For now it’s just a ferny-leafed stick.
Panning right (Pride Rock is on the far left now), you see another path that leads to the pool-pump house, an extremely ugly structure that I have do-it-myself plans for. More on that later. I’m also considering what kind of focal point to use at the end of this path, probably something attached to the fence. At the bottom of the slope to the right sits the inspiration for this circle garden: the big circle of the trampoline.
Here’s a closer look at the bed just in front of the pump house, under the dappled shade of a cluster of live oaks. I planted three bamboo muhlies, a ‘Macho Mocha’ mangave pup, a silver Mediterranean fan palm, a ‘Winter Gem’ boxwood, and three Texas sedges. The low flowering annuals to the left of the palm are wishbone plants I’m trialing for Proven Winners. Speaking of the boxwood, I planted a pair flanking each path into and out of the circle garden, for structure and a sense of order and continuity.
Panning further to the right, here’s the bed that contains the rooster focal point. Accompanying him are, from left to right, ‘Sparkler’ sedge (transplanted from my old garden), ‘Katie’ ruellia (inherited with yard), Texas dwarf palmetto (transplanted from old garden), heartleaf skullcap and spider lily foliage (transplanted from old garden), unknown heuchera (inherited), and ‘Toffee Twist’ sedge (inherited). All free, from the new garden and the old!
Panning right once more, you see a little bed built around a turtle-head shaped rock outcropping and the raised beds I inherited with the house and entirely replanted.
I’m pleased with it, though there are several things I want to do when the budget allows. For one, I plan to switch out the edging of irregular boulders and use mortared chopped limestone for a cleaner look. Also, I plan to add a circle of sedges around the central ornament, which also needs leveling. Directly behind the pawn ornament you may be able to see a flat disc of concrete on the ground. It’s the basin of a bird bath that I’m using to mark the spot where I want to install a bubbling disappearing fountain that will attract birds and be visible from the deck.
The garden wish list never ends, does it?
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Very nice garden Pam. I like the use of the grasses/ sedges and macho man’s pup. I think it is cute using the ledge of limestone for your daughter to have a place to play. That pool looks inviting as well.
Thanks, Janet. That pool will be very inviting in the not-too-distant future. Hot weather will be here before we know it. —Pam
Pam, you have done so much in a short time, this is going to look lovely. I like circle lawns, I had one in my last garden and it gave the whole garden structure. Something I haven’t been able to achieve in the garden I have now – I am still working on it! Hope you manage some of your wish list soon but I think you have done really well so far, thank you for sharing it.
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
Thank *you*, Sylvia, for your kind comments. Circles are great in the garden, aren’t they? I had a circular patio in my old garden. This time it’s a lawn. —Pam
Lovely my dear, everything looks better with a new coat of mulch! I can’t wait to see it in full swing. Hugs…Brooke
Yes, mulch is like caulk. It hides a multitude of flaws and makes everything look better. —Pam
Pam,
I really enjoy following your progress to see how you are starting all of your new gardens. Great perspective with your descriptions and virtual tour. (One of our neighbors is moving to Texas this weekend. Her house still hasn’t sold after over a year on the market, but her husband is starting a new job down there.)
Cameron
Oh, I feel your neighbor’s pain about the unsold house. Maybe she’d like to move into ours? 😉 —Pam
Whew Pam. You have worked yourself hard to get so much accomplished in such a short time. GOOD JOB. It was a delight to get this detailed tour of your garden. I see that the focal object of the circle garden is a pawn since you named it. Ha.. I was thinking cannonball. Your view from the deck is great. I think being up high is such a good way of looking at the garden. Maybe because that perspective isn’t common. I think it is sweet that your daughter sits on the rock to play. I have often told my DB that if he really wanted to give me a gift I would forever appreciate that he could give me a rock large enough I could sit on. You know what they say rocks are a girl’s best friend.
Rocks *are* a girl’s best friend! I like the way you think, Lisa, and I hope you get a big one for your garden someday. —Pam
I’m amazed at how much you’ve already accomplished Pam! The circle garden looks really wonderful from every angle. I love the chess pawn and the rooster with the curved fence behind him. They make great focal points. It’s great you have so much plant material to choose from for your newly-designed beds.
Thanks, GG. There are so many great plants to try, and so many old favorites to make room for. There’s never enough room for them all, and it feels like triage sometimes to make those hard decisions. —Pam
Pam, I’m always fascinated by the assortment of plants that grow well together in your climate. An aloe and a boxwood cheek-to-cheek? Crazy!— but a beautiful contrast of texture and form.
It’s so fun to watch your garden grow! I hope you are planning a big anniversary post of “then and now” photos (hint, hint)!
Thanks for following along, Jocelyn! An anniversary post full of before-and-after shots would be fun, maybe in the fall or the following spring. —Pam
Thanks for the tour, it makes it all a lot clearer in the mind. Pushing the gate closer to the street is a good idea. I did that with my garden, and it helped so much to open up the space. I really like the pawn ornament, it is simple yet effective. This is all so exciting.
I’m feeling excited too about watching it grow. And I’m relieved to have gotten it all done (at least the first round of planting) before the summer heat hits. I’ll be supplementing the new beds with low-growing perennials in the fall, I expect. —Pam
Wow, what a nice garden. I created a cute circle garden under a hemlock once, with stones spiraling in.
That sounds like a secret garden. I’d have liked to see it. —Pam
Your yard/garden is absolutely beautiful. I am inspired and stealing ideas!
I do too, Ginger, all the time. Have at it. —Pam
It’s coming along great, Pam, and I know you’re enjoying the process!
Thanks, Cindy. I am. —Pam
Your garden is looking wonderful. You’ve accomplished so much in just a few short months.
Thanks so much, Laura. It’s a beginning. —Pam
It looks great! Thanks for posting so many “in progress” pictures too… it helps the rest of us learn what components go into a good design, not just the end product.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the behind-the-scenes info, Arythrina. —Pam
Well, Pam, I think you know this already, but want to tell you one more time – you are a hard working person! I’ll be waiting for the summer pictures of this garden, it should be beautiful!
I have my hard-working moments, Tatyana. 😉 Thanks for commenting. —Pam
Pam it’s just beautiful! I love the “pride rock,” and can’t wait to see how you plant it up!
In time, Cheryl, in time. I keep reminding myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it’s hard to be patient. —Pam
No, the wish list never ends. Thanks for doing such a good job on the photos and descriptions. Now I get a good sense of what is where. I think it’s really going to look super when the summer comes!
Thanks, Jean. Summer’s not usually Austin’s most bodacious season, but I do expect a good deal of growth, especially if we can shake off this drought. —Pam
I am also a big fan of circular lawns, paved areas, and garden beds. I must say you have a good eye for garden nick-knackery (is that a word?). The rooster is lovely, as is the ginormous pawn. Somewhere there is a gorgeous rusty old flying pig too. Keep up the photo tours – they are as interesting as they are insightful.
Thanks, Kerole. I’ll keep ’em coming! —Pam
So when you’re done with your work for the day, do you jump into the pool for a swim? Love your design and the hardscapes–Pride Rock, the Pawn, the rooster and the gate behind him. It’s all very cool.
It’s a little chilly for pool dipping right now, but it won’t be long, Grace. That pool is what’s going to get me through Austin’s brutal summer this year. —Pam
What a lot you’ve accomplished! I’m another fan of “gardening in the round,” where plants can be viewed from many angles and, even in a small garden, it gives so many different perspectives. Thanks for the tour!
I like the phrase “gardening in the round,” Denise. You’re right about the multiple perspectives. —Pam
Hi Pam, I love watching the wheels and cogs turning in your designing brain as you solve problems and create the gardens. Sometimes I think having to wait on finances is a good thing. It makes you be patient and not do anything you might regret or change your mind about later. It brings necessity is the mother of invention into a new light. I like the moving the gate back to the front too. A much better use of space and will allow for a nice side garden over there some day.
Frances
You’re right that waiting can make for a better design, Frances. I must remind myself of that when I get impatient. —Pam
Very nice! Your additions have already made a dramatic impact on the space, providing structure and cohesiveness. Also love the way you combine your photos and words which literally takes the reader on a virtual walk through the garden space. I enjoyed the tour & will be back often to see the unfolding of your creative process.
Thanks, Carol. I’ve been really enjoying your tours of your new garden too. —Pam
Nope, never ends. I want you to know that I spent much of my afternoon getting an MRI on my left thumb, which I managed to fall on when I slipped a couple of months ago with a dolly (loaded with a full wooden file cabinet). That poor thumb endured a lot of weight as I struggled to figure out how to get up off a slippery floor with flip-flops on, whilst holding up that load with my right hand. Note to anyone and everyone: do not try to move something heavy with flip-flops on. Anyway, on to the story. They put me in one of those MRI machines to take a good look-see at my left thumb. I was contorted terribly on my stomach with a pillow under my throat, struggling to swallow the spit that always comes when you’re nervous about doing it. On to the story once again: I laid there in this horrid manner dreaming of a whale’s tongue agave for my yard like yours. Please tell me where I can order one, Pam. This afternoon has to be worth something. Sorry for the long comment. Your yard is shaping up beautifully.
Brenda
That sounds like an unpleasant experience all the way around, Brenda. So sorry about your injury! As for the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave, I do not have a source for it. I haven’t seen any in nurseries in quite a while. Yucca Do used to carry it. You might also try Plant Delights online catalog. Good luck! —Pam
The circle looks great; I love the jagged boulders, don’t think I’d change them out, but then, I like a really informal look. Wish lists just seem to keep getting longer and longer; the more I get, seems like the more I want! Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Nola! I’m just plugging away and having a ball. —Pam
You have gotten an amazing amount of work done already. I can’t get over how different it looks from when I saw it. That circle really is inspired. And, for what it’s worth, I absolutely love the native and natural rock and think it looks perfect against your gardens, much better than big, chunky limestone blocks!
Thanks, Diana. These small boulders look OK, I agree. But they’re going to let grass sneak into the beds. I prefer to have a mortared edge when I’m gardening next to a lawn. —Pam
Hi Pam.
It looks like you have some great privacy from that first shot you posted. That view looks like your yard is right in the middle of a forest, nice!
Are you planning on keeping the grass or doing granite?
It is really taking shape Pam, love following your development process and thoughts.
ESP.
We have great privacy along the back, ESP. There are houses below us that overlook a greenbelt, but there’s a mini-greenbelt that runs between our house and those below, which shields those houses from view. I’m keeping the grass for the time being. Granite is not an option because of the pool. I do want to replace some of the grass paths with flagstone eventually. —Pam
I really like the pawn ornament. My only ornaments are rusty iron. Some stone would be nice.
I found it on a driving trip, marked way down, and decided I had to have it. It is two pieces, a base and the pawn, but it weighs a TON. Rusty iron at least is more moveable. —Pam
This is coming along quite nicely. I’m impressed with all you’ve achieved already. I’m still just thinking about our woodland garden.
The thinking phase shouldn’t be rushed. I’m still doing a lot of thinking about my front yard, and will have to limit myself to thinking for some time. —Pam
Pam,
You must be devoting all of your free time to the garden to get so much accomplished! Every thing looks great!
All of my free time except for what I devote to the blog. 😉 Thanks, Randy. —Pam
Your garden is lovely, Pam. I am amazed at all you have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time!
I think most gardeners are always planning changes and making lists of improvements. The garden is always changing, and if it stayed stagnant, it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting and fun.
So true, Jenny. Changing things around is half the fun. —Pam
I love the way the pool looks so natural in the garden layout – Great job!
Thanks, Sherri, though I can’t take credit for that. The previous owners did a marvelous job with the pool and the retaining walls—and preserving the beautiful trees in the process. —Pam
This is great Pam. Love where you are going with the circle. As always, it’ll be fun to see how things fill in those new beds to give that circle some “walls.”
I know. I’m checking on all my new babies at least twice a day. It’s ridiculous. —Pam
You are right, there is always another project! You have made remarkable progress on your new garden. Mulch does complete a new bed doesn’t it? I think spring fling will need to revisit Austin.
Hmm, but there are so many wonderful places to go—and other hosts to meet. Like in Rhode Island! 😉 But I’d welcome a visit from you any time. Why don’t you plan a visit? —Pam
Looks so good already! Yes, your Cootamundra Wattle will look lovely against the pinkish wall of your neighbour’s house. A very dark background planting would work. The pool-pump housing isn’t too bad as it blends in with the fence. Good thing it isn’t brightly-coloured plastic or aluminium! The deck does look exposed. Perhaps a market umbrella would be an interim solution? How high will the plants in the bed below the deck grow? Could you put a deciduous tree there?
I’ve considered a market umbrella and may buy one as a short-term solution. Still thinking that through. Aside from the wattle, which may screen the deck a little in time, I just can’t see myself planting any more trees in my shady back yard. I’m enjoying having some sun on these new beds and wouldn’t want to shade it out. Plants before deck comfort! —Pam
I like the geometry of the circle set against the more biomorphic shapes of some of the other planting beds. It’s a nice interplay of the formal with the casual. The space is coming along great!
Thanks, James. I like adding a few formal elements to shake up a naturalistic space. —Pam
Pam, you’ve done an outstanding job with this! I remember when you were just playing with possibilities, and now it’s so nicely done. Excellent!
Thanks, Nancy. I’m glad to have the new beds to play with, and all done before summer hits. —Pam
You’ve accomplished so much in a relatively short space of time, Pam, and it’s looking wonderful. That’s a great view of the circular design from the porch.
Yes, the wish list is endless 🙂 But the planning is fun!
And so is the planting. I hope you get some planting weather soon, Kerri. Or is it already there in upstate NY? —Pam
wow! It’s really coming along. From this vantage point it all seems like it happened so quickly. It’s still as much winter as spring here, so it’s helpful to see someone somewhere getting something accomplished while we wait for it to stop snowing.
In this part of the country, we’re under pressure to get our plants in the ground by April or May at the very latest, before summer’s intense heat arrives. It’s probably something like how northerners feel about winter, although of course it’s still green here in the summer. —Pam
I love the rooster — and the pool!
Thanks, Rosemarie. —Pam