Saturday, August 21, 2010

My Secret Wild Side

Summer should be ending soon but it is still very hot here. Before all the leaves from our trees fall and make a mess on the yard, I would like to share what have become of my secret garden, which is on the wilder side of the property. We keep the gardens surrounding the deck clean but the gardens that are a little farther from the house are left more natural, and that includes the Secret Garden.


I would like to link with The Tablescaper for Summer Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Mary for Mosaic Monday at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/


Do visit them and enjoy lots of enjoyable summer photos, creative mosaics and beautiful transformations.

Below is a picture taken of the Secret garden, which is located behind the pool deck last spring. You won't see this space unless you go right on the edge of the deck or in the gazebo and look down. Notice the azaleas were blooming then.




This is today. The azalea blooms are gone, of course. They have been gone long ago. In fact only a few flowers are still now thriving but the area is covered by greens. You can see a canna near the tree which was blown by the wind and rain 2 days ago and the hostas.




I still have tiny pink and white flowers. I can never remember what they are called. At least one of them is a gaura, I think. I also have purple heathers that are in bloom.
I don't ever run out of places to sit in our garden. Sometimes, I just sit on the ledge of the deck with my feet hanging down unto the secret garden just enjoying the surrounding.


It rained all day and all night 2 days ago, which was the schedule for the lawn guys to come so they weren't able to clean the yard this week. They only come every 2 weeks so sorry for all that overgrowth.




The sweet potato vines have been growing like crazy.


It's not very colorful anymore.



I didn't even get to clean the bricks. The rain washed the soil into them.



The parrot plants finally bloomed. Two of the picture in the mosaic are views of the terracing garden from the top.
I told you, the sweet potato vine is growing everywhere.





I would like to show you the orchids in the gazebo. All three of them have buds coming out. As of last week, there was only one. They really like the climate in the gazebo.





And the vine that climbed up the gazebo have lots of little purple flowers. It is really shaded here now.






The plants below are on the other side of the secret garden. Does anybody know what those purple berries are? They were purple flowers before they turned into berries. They look pretty but they look poisonous, don't they?


The fig tree is bearing lots of fruits.






And look at our promeganates! I was so excited when I saw them.



This bouganville is outside the fence in the driveway. I placed it there to conceal the wet deck equipment from the driveway. It's blooming also. Another plants that are blooming are our lantanas. I forgot to load a picture of them.


Do you see the white roses behind the fence and the yellow petunias in a hanging basket behind the bouganvilles?



I could take more pictures of more plants and flowers but I think this post is already too long, lol.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and thanks to our gracious hosts for these wonderful memes!

53 comments:

Sarah said...

Christine, things still look green and healthy! You have a large garden to tend. :-)

Terra said...

I love your secret garden, it looks very shady and hidden away, for a place of rest and reading and prayer. Also it is more of a sanctuary for birds which is also a great good.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Christine,
I love the look of your secret garden! What a neat place to just sit and daydream!
Of course I know you probably always feel like there's work to do but it sure is a neat spot!
Hugs,
Cindy

PAT said...

It's gorgeous Christine...absolutely gorgeous.

My post for Mosaic Monday and Summer Sunday has a touch of unexpected wildness....tamed wildness, that is.:-)

Dolores said...

Oh Christine.... I love your secret garden.... It's so beautiful!
You have so many lovely and interesting areas to sit and enjoy........
The purple berries are so pretty, and I don't recall their name,.... but they aren't edible.....
Your home and gardens are gorgeous!

Rebecca said...

Thanks for sharing your yard with us-so many places to look and sit a while -how wonderful!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You still have lots going on in your garden. My courtyard looks sad. The bloomers have pretty much fizzled out and the ferns are looking sorta scraggly also. To hot for to long!
Enjoy your weekend.

Fifi Flowers said...

GREAT garden... soooo much space... I sooooo NEED to get out into my garden... or sell my house and move into a loft with a deck and tend to couple potted plants...

Kathysue said...

Hi C when I read my secret wild side, I thought hmmm? I wonder what Christine is up to now!? hehe
Now I see , your secret garden is such a pretty place with all the vines. Your potatoe vine is gorgeous as is the purple flowering vine. all so lovely, Hugs Kathysue

Blondie's Journal said...

How beautiful!! Everything is growing and thriving...very lush! I would love to just sit there by myself and reflect...it looks so peaceful!

xoxo
Jane

Anonymous said...

Christine I love your wild side!! Those berry plants are so pretty! I do hope you find out what plant it is! I love all the sweet potato vine too! Does that winter over where you are? Mine never get that huge.

bee blessed
mary

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Oh...I'd love to have a Secret Garden :o) Sweet potato vines are one of my favorites. And how amazing are your pomegranates!

Thank you for leaving such a very kind comment by Kathie's blog "Just a Happy Housewife".

I am doing a little blog reading catch up...seems to be the story of my blogging life...the catching up, I mean :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

KathyB. said...

You have a lot of garden to care for, and it looks like yous secret garden is in an exotic jungle. I think one could explore your gardens for a long time and find so many plants you could consider treasures.Thank-you for the tour~

Gloria said...

Wow, Christine. This was just so beautiful. AND, I still love your pool area too! :)
Best regards,
Gloria

Gloria said...

P.S. I love that tablscape picture in your heading too. Love those Paris plates!!

gv

Darla said...

What a great area, love the Morning Glory Vine on the gazebo.

Tete said...

What a fun little place to hide! I love the idea of having a little space no one can see or knows about! Beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog. You keep calling me Rebecca- my best friend is Rebecca.
I'm Tete from beyond the garden gate- I have the vintage postcards for PS this week.
Thank you for all your kind comments!
Enjoy your special place and I love the purple berries!
Never seen them before, so do a follow up on them if someone lets you know what they are!
Hugs- Tete

cheeky rose said...

i love your garden its so beautiful

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I have a wild side too... this summer with the baby to keep, I just can not keep up with my garden. I dream of retiring and having time to do all the things I want too. Thanks for visiting and the sweet note that you left me there.

Char said...

I could spend hours out there. It's so green and beautiful. Happy Pink Saturday, Char

Diann said...

Hi Christine!

Everything looks so cool and inviting! That is he first time I have ever seen a pomegrante tree before!

bj said...

OMGosh, Christine...your property is like a beautiful park...everything is just lovely. I adore the casual and wild look of the secret garden...stunning. I really think it ought to be a LAW that every house have a beautiful Secret Garden...with a beautiful gate!! My dream!! :))
Thanks for sharing this beautiful spot...
xo bj

Lynn said...

I love your secret garden, everyone should have a spot like that!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a beautiful place! I love the secret garden I wish I had one at my home!!

Sue said...

I think you have the best of both worlds. You have your very neat, perfect pool area and then you can walk a few steps to feel as if you are surrounded by nature in almost its natural state...what a perfect way to live!

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

I sure would like to stroll through your gardens! Beautiful!

Hugs,
Jacalyn

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Christine, it's fun to see the different seasons of the garden, sometimes wild, sometimes in full bloom. I just tasted a fig the other day - interesting taste. Do you make preserves with them? Linda

Average Girl said...

I absolutely love a wild garden! Yours awesome! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your lovely comment! Happy Sunday to you!

Anonymous said...

Omigosh, Christine, this garden of yours is incredible. Don't tell me you did all the work yourself or I will really be envious! It's always good to hear from you.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It is all so beautiful. I love when you share pictures. The color on those berries is incredible. I love pomegranates, enjoy!

Carol said...

You have beautiful gardens! I love the Secret Garden! and too cool, you have pomegranates!

Vee said...

What a huge garden you have! It must keep you very busy indeed. I enjoyed reading the exotic names of your flowers. Believe me, we have no pomegranates growing in my corner nor bouganvilles.

Snap said...

What a wonderful, special, beautiful place ... and a secret garden, too! Lucky you! I admire the work it takes to keep up with it all. Well done!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Christine
Your secret garden looks like a tranquil place to get away from it all.

PJ said...

You're a colossal mosaic machine. All of the work that has gone into your garden, I can hardly imagine how you managed it all, it's so wonderful!

Bobbi Ann said...

Hi, very beautiful, lovely, peaceful and so tranquil! Hope you have a wonderful new week!
Hugs...
Bobbi

Sue said...

I came back to see the poms on the tree. I think I scrolled too quickly the 1st time I was here and missed your last 2 pictures. I've never seen them growing before...how cool!

Sonia said...

Hi Christine,

Love your garden, looks so fun and colorful..I love how you have hidden it below the pool area for your herbs and plants. Nice to have a tiered effect like that. I know the heat is oppressive here too...I'm looking forward to fall gardenening! Have a wonderful week!

Miss Bloomers

Debra said...

I do think I love the wild side the best. Can't wait to see the photos of the leaves falling in the fall!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I think this is what I would call "The Secret Garden." Just wonderful pictures! Cathy

Dredd said...

Wow Christine.. your garden is huge!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

So pretty Christine. I love a wild garden as much as a manicured one! I love your vines over the gazebo, I think that's trumpet vine? I have no clue on the berries though. I could spend all day wandering around your yard! It's so beautiful and tranquil looking to me!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I love your secret garden. Such a sweet place to relax! I am planning one by my stream but I need to find the time to really buzz through the underbrush and get it somewhat cleared out.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

The Tablescaper said...

I love your secret garden. I never realized, from looking at your prior posts, that you live in such a wooded area. How neat that you were able to carve out some space and make it into you little secret area.

Also, just to let you know, your comments seem to be overlapping on your photos towards the end of the post. Don't know what causes that, but thought you would want to know.

Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays!

- The Tablescaper

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Everything is growing like crazy. I had sweet potato vine before and it grows so fast. I didn't know you had pomegrantes. That is so cool. Still love your pool and miss having one.

Melissa Miller said...

It looks gorgeous, lush and green Christine! :)

Magdalena said...

You have the prettiest Secret Garden I have ever seen! I love your pomegranates , I hope mine grow soon. I have to take them in every Winter, they are in pots.
xoxo

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Christine! You certainly have a lot of flowers and lovely green plants! I love your orchids...especially the way the roots have taken off...so pretty! Here, it is so hot and I am so tired of it all that I just wish for frost! lol I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

Kathy said...

I did not read all of the posts but your berry bush might be an American Beautyberry? I have one but the flowers are white with a tinge of purple.

lala said...

Your garden is just lovely, such a wonderful peaceful looking space. The plant with the purple berries is called callicarpa americana.

Atticmag said...

So nice, as always, to see your progress. I love your yard.

Good news! We're staring a Friday Giveaway link-up party this Fri. 8/27 plus we are giving away custom backsplash! Please join us. Jane F.

Traci said...

I think I need a sweet potato vine! I love looking at pictures of everyone's yards. So pretty!

Lady Katherine said...

Your garden is really filling in, since I was there! Love the fruits and the fruits of all your labor!

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