Please, have a seat!

Gardeners are hard workers. Very hard workers. Sure we say things like, oh! it's not work, not when you're doing something you really love! But face it - a lot of it is physical, back-breaking labour, especially in the spring.

So there's nothing nicer than having a quiet, wonderful spot to sit, so later you and others can enjoy the view of great design and plants.

Lucky are the folks who have a beautiful wrap-around porch that overlooks the front or backyard.

Nothing is more enjoyable than dining al fresco on a warm, calm summer's evening…..

A pretty overhanging lamp plus candle-lit lanterns guarantee a fun evening can last long into the night.

Even tiny yards can squeeze in a pretty little nook to sit in. Look at the delightful bright cushions!

These days, you can choose any style of furniture you like. Perhaps something very modern and striped?

Or just as modern but very teak-y?

Here Muskoka chairs overlook a beautiful northern Ontario lake…….

……whereas it's so relaxing to sit beside a tranquil suburban pool.

Imagine tucking yourself into a corner of this lovely bench and just reading the afternoon away.

How about a secret hidden spot where no one can find you?

Perhaps a tropical gazebo in Africa………..

or a breakfast table overlooking the Serengeti.

Just remember to include a scary gargoyle to watch over your garden parties!

Plants around the Swimming Pool

It's hard to believe we've been in this house 24 years! Well not so hard, really. The easiest way to see how the property has changed is by the plantings. The linden trees and Pin oak are 40 - 50 feet tall and all shrubs have reached their mature height. 

As with all homes, certain things need to be replaced and changed after a certain number of years. We noticed that the (original!) pool liner had begun to leak. Yup! It had lasted an incredible 24 years but now was giving up the ghost. So we called the company that had originally installed the pool and talked about what else could be done besides replacing the liner.

We decided to take out the original concrete decking and replace it with interlocking brick.

We gained about an extra 2 feet of space on each side of the pool and a lot of extra new "patio" space at the end of the pool. All in all I think we are really going to enjoy this new expanded area in years to come! I can picture putting some of our deck chairs onto the new patio part and adding some containers full of colourful flowers.

As with all renovations, once you change the first thing, you often need to change something else.

At the back, because the yard slopes downwards towards the back fence, they will build in some steps to descend to the back of the yard. This area could use some plantings so I started to plan what might be suitable.

I think my best bet will be to stick with ornamental grasses. They have a natural beauty that suits water and the lovely swaying plumes will add movement. Their root system is shallow so it will not interfere with brickwork.

What else? Perhaps daylilies and sedum. Both are tough and low maintenance and blend well with the grasses.

Annuals are always good for all season colour.

I will not plant even small trees because of possible damage to the pool by tree roots. Also, I certainly do not need anymore leaves/fruit/catkins in the pool!!

Probably good to stay away from plants that attract bees…. and anything with thorns.

Any other ideas would be more than welcome :)