Early this year I said 'Don't worry, it'll only be temporary. No commitments. Let's not spend too much so it won't be much of a loss if we decide to do something else next year'.
Let us take you on a tour of the top patio this year. First, the view you see when you enter the garden from the street through the side passage...
The photo above is my favourite point of view when looking at the display. You can almost see the full breadth of the succulent display, framed by lush greenery courtesy of not so warm yet comfortable British summers. And you get a glimpse of the 'flying fish tree' from here too.
Let's take a closer look from the same point...
Moving towards the middle of the patio, to the left is the contrasting lush display underneath the 'flying fish tree'...
And another turn to the left you should see blue/grey display...
Moving towards the jungle area then turning back this is the view...
Moving back closer to the house...
Before we carry on, what about the vista when you come from inside the house? Here it is...
Now let's take a closer look, to the left...
And to the right...
And of all the xerophytes on display, the queen will always be the Dasylirion longissimum...
Sorry I couldn't resist posting another photo of it...
From the point above, what if you move along towards the koi pond and then turn back? You'll see this...
Okay, enough of taking pictures now. Let's go to the side of the house to turn the garden tap (faucet) on. Oops, another vista. A few more pics won't harm...
Now let's move the camera further back to try and include the edge of the display...
Sitting together last Friday he says to me, 'I think it ought to stay for more than one season. Two, three, more perhaps?'.
I don't mind at all. And I really don't mind if it doesn't either.
'Perhaps just change the paving, maybe incorporate built in staging.'
Yep sounds fine to me.
'If it does stay I want it to be more crazy next year.'
Uh oh, what have I just done? Crazy? I love crazy!!
Some things are worth doing even if you're not sure at first. Because you just don't know what it may lead to...
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Wow, you do have a lot of pots! And seems that each one holds a small treasure. I'd love to look them all up close.
ReplyDeleteThe hanging fish are cool. One or two would have looked lost in the tree, but a whole school? Now that's a sight to see!
Everything looks magazine-perfect. Love it.
Thanks Gerhard! Speaking of pots, was surprised we topped the count on Loree's post on plantlust. We did another round of counting recently, this time including ones in greenhouses and in nursery pots and the figure is closer to 400, yikes!
DeleteDoes that figure (400) include plants in plastic pots as well? I assume so since you said "nursery pots." I have a lot of those :-)
DeleteYes including plastic pots :)
DeleteIt all looks fantastic, loving all those pots, and the fish of course. Trouble is, gardens never stand still, because we all love a project ...
ReplyDeleteThat's true Jane. Especially after the winter, well rested from hibernation it's easy enough to get really itchy for doing a project :)
DeleteYou've got pot crazy! (That would have a different meaning in some areas of California.) I love those hanging fish.
ReplyDeletePot crazy, the other connotation did spring to mind too Kris :)
DeleteCrazy and Potty. I like the idea of staging but it does not have to be built in as loose stuff gives you so many more options, All those succulents look like they will need slightly larger pots quite soon so happy potting :-)
ReplyDeleteThat potting business is never ending Don, every year there seems more to do ;)
Delete"If it does stay I want it to be more crazy next year"....ha! Yes!!! That's the spirit. I do love the flying fish tree, not at first but it's really grown on me.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that Loree :)) it's a laugh more than anything else, quite like the polarising reaction it can get.
DeleteIt's all super, especially the Dasylirion which is magnificent. My favourite tableau is the blue/grey collection on the conservatory steps.
ReplyDeleteThanks Celia! I like the way that bit picks up the colour of the chairs :)
DeleteIt looks great!! :D. I can´t wait to see it even more crazy next year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa :))
DeleteLove it! What type of tree is the "flying fish tree"? It's lovely from the other side of the garden. The succulent table still looks so good too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a rhus typhina Alan :) thank you!
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen this part pf your kingdom! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanya :)
DeleteGentlemen: you do have a lot of pots. Garden looks fabulous, love the candelabra on the succulent table--it belongs. What ever you are doing, please continue. :^)
ReplyDeleteThat's really lovely Gail, will try our best :)
DeleteSo many pots! Good to see you've run with your idea and you're having fun with it :)
ReplyDeleteWe went mad this year with pots didn't we Amy? :)
Deletegreat blog, with great post.
ReplyDeleteIm start with my own blog http://mariopaisajista.blogspot.com.es/
best whishes from spain
The promise of more crazy next year should keep us all coming back...as if we would ever desert you.
ReplyDeleteLove it and am so looking forward to "even more crazy next year." Dasylirion longissimum is so beautiful! You may have a pot addiction issue.
ReplyDeleteEven more crazy next year!
ReplyDeleteI am eager to discover this.
Love the fisch tree.
There are so many! I almost gasped at the picture.
ReplyDeleteRhus typhina, such a beautiful tree! And extra lovely with the fish swimming through the branches. I assume the joy of growing succulents in pots that they don't need much watering? Whatever, it looks joyous! Well done, and to Gaz for indulging you in your pot passion! Cxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the wonderful vistas. Crazy? Well gardening is like that. It just sucks you in, and before you know it, you have fish flying through the trees!
ReplyDelete