...the new owners and I liked its quarter circle shape. So we laid a brick stretcher course along the outer edge of the patio... then paved ...the patio surface with twelve inch squares of green slate. The garden borders were created with two layers of brick. This configuration allows two wheels of a mower to run along the top of the lower course of brick... effectively edging as we mowed. The patio also contained a metal framework that had, at some point in the past, supported an awning. The young couple didn't want a new awning but they liked the idea of shading the patio. The framework wasn't strong enough to support Wisteria or Trumpet Vine... and the couple did not want a Grape vine... thinking it could be too messy.
In the end we chose Lady Banks Scotch Rose [Rosa banksiae 'Lutea']. One five gallon rose was planted at the base of each support column. Within a very few years we had a solid cover. Lady Banks was an excellent choice... being a rapid grower, thornless and very resistant to bugs and diseases. Double yellow flowers with densely packed petals bloom in clusters in May-June. There is no repeat bloom... a characteristic that fits in nicely with the Japanese gardening concept of "ephemeral beauty."
Over a period of two years all of the perennials were chosen and planted. She and I took the approach that it was not important to get it done... rather it was important to get it right. The White Meidiland Rose was a great choice... It only grew to about three feet... but it spread at the base of the Trident Maple to almost six feet... and it bloomed from early summer well into fall....................
The most interesting plant we chose for this area was planted just "off-photograph" to the left. When we ordered it from Iseli Nursery we asked them to select one with an "interestingly unique" shape. They certainly did not disappoint. This was the 'Angelica's Thunderhead' Japanese Black Pine we received.....................................
Iseli was kind enough to send detailed instructions on pruning it to maintain its shape... and it has turned into quite a conversation starter.
Since I wrote what you've already read I've remembered quite a few "most interesting" plants I designed into this garden. They deserve their due.
A Trident Maple [Acer buergerianum] was planted next to the step up to the patio. This is a handsome small tree with tri-lobed leaves that turn good shades of red and orange in fall. Its habit is somewhat vase-shaped when young... becoming rounded with age. It grows somewhat slowly to a height of 20-25 feet in Oklahoma City. Its trunk and limbs have an attractive, almost "muscular" form and the bark exfoliates on mature wood. It has no serious disease or insect problems and is somewhat drought tolerant...................
Though highly desirable, Sugar Maples were avoided in Oklahoma landscapes until naturalized specimens were found growing in Caddo County, Oklahoma. These 'Caddo' Sugar Maples have all the attractive attributes of the species native to New England... and are also more heat tolerant.......
Sargent's Crabapple is an incredibly beautiful small tree. It usually grows about 8-12 feet high and spreads to 12-15 feet. It naturally develops a windswept, oriental appearance. Bright pink buds open to snow white blooms. Dime sized bright red crabapples are "persistent" and do not clutter the lawn.....................
The house had a small parking area at one end that was fenced from the street. A metal arch hung over the entrance to this area. Rather than planting the almost ubiquitous purple Chinese Wisteria, we chose to plant the elegant white Japanese variety. It had much longer racemes of blooms than the Chinese version and it looked great on the white board fence.........................
I don't know whether you'll read this long comment, but I sure enjoyed writing it and remembering this garden.
