Thursday, April 22, 2010

Room With a View

I try to be conscience of what my gardens look like from the inside out. My dining room especially has a huge view of the back yard and previously it was just grass and one lonely queen palm tree planted smack dab in the middle of the lawn in front of the window. As the palm grew taller than the glass pane, it had all the charm of a telephone pole as far as the view from the dining room. Over the past three years I have removed the palm and added a number of more interesting trees that will provide character and shade for the backyard, as well as structure in the way of shrubs and perennials, interest in the way of seasonal flowering plants and art. This time of year it is especially lovely, but I am focused on year round interest because there is always something going on in this room and the view adds to the ambiance.

16 comments:

Raji said...

your garden is gorgeous..i have been virtually roaming around there from yesterday....so much to see..loved the moonlit garden with all the white flowers..and the same garden in fall is absolutely beautiful..the vines and the wisterias..and roses...makes this favorite virtual garden..

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Sheila, that is a truly magnificent view. Do you use any lighting in the garden at night? We did that at your last house because we had such a large view into the garden, and so enjoyed being able to see the garden from the dining room at night, up-lighting the focal-point trees and the pond.

Alice Joyce said...

Lovely, Sheila.
I must admit it still strikes me as odd, here in my own garden too, to see lavender blooming so early in the season. It never seems to stop. Well, yes, in winter;-)
But I can't help think of it as a summer-blooming perennial. It's always surprising and delightful to see those gorgeous blooms in April.
Cheers!
Alice
aka Bay Area Tendrils

Pam's English Garden said...

Sheila, I agree that we should consider how the garden looks from inside the house as much as outside. Have you seen the book, "Outside the Not So Big House"? I think that's the title. You have a stunning view from your window!

Ben said...

A million dollar view! that is a very lovely view indeed. I really love the lavender!

Floridagirl said...

Oh my! That is a gorgeous view of a perfect garden! Very nice.

Ami said...

That is a well-designed view, which really make you enjoy the garden either in the garden or in the room. I love the color combination. Blue and purple are my favorite colors!

Laurrie said...

I like it! Garden planners recommend standing at your windows to see what the view will be looking outside. Especially here in New England where most of the year we only see the garden from inside. Your post is a good example. No one wants to look at a telephone pole!

Gail said...

Sheila, Your view out the window is stunning... I know you are thrilled to have the telephone palm gone! (I have two trees that make me think pole and wish they were gone!) gail

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What a gorgeous view! I'd be looking out the window all the time. I try to keep what the view looks like from inside in mind while I'm planting too.

Turling said...

Beautiful view. The world can never have enough lavendar.

Anonymous said...

And what a view it is, Sheila! You've done well giving your room a beautiful view.

Shyrlene said...

Sheila - this picture is so inspirational. (I stand at my windows - especially now, and try to imagine a better view.) Your 'Room with a View" lets someone take a deep breath, and imagine the scents and sounds as if standing on the patio. Just fantastic...

Sheila said...

Curbstone - yes we do have outdoor lighting at night. I do have the challenge of adding more as I carve out new spaces, but what we do have is lovely! I will have to try to get some photos of it!

Alice Joy - I seem to have lavender blooming all year round because there are so many different kinds that bloom at different times!

Sheila said...

Pam, yes, I own "Outside The Not So Big House"! I haven't looked at it in some time so I will have to find it and reread it! Thanks!

Nola said...

I'm drooling on the keyboard! Your view is perfect. It looks like it was professionally designed. If all that purple is lavender, then I am also green with envy!