Bypass this thread, LOL. I wouldn't miss this for anything. You talk about a work of art in continual progress!
Candee
My Stonehenge Garden - continued...
I'm speechless. What work, what dedication, what a beautiful garden.
Diane all I can say is that you are one lucky lady. That garden absolutely blows me away. You have a very special man there. wanna trade ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again, all...
Donna - NO WAY! LOL Wouldn't trade em for anything....
Diane, I just can't come up with words to describe how incredibly beautiful and serene it is. I have loved following this thread and will always be looking forward to more!
I ran across this in browsing the forum all I can say Is Wow
Thank you for sharing your corner of Paradise with us... please continue to do so.
Barb
Hope the heat wave didn't do in whatever the floods didn't get. I'm not sure where in Conn you are, but the past month or so sure has been interesting weather wise. I have visited "pay to get in" gardens in the east that have no where near the interest, no of flowers or imagination that yours have.
Kudos on your dream. ~~Blooms
Hi, Everyone -
Thought I would post a few pics of the garden now that it has reached it's peak for plant maturity and before it starts getting ruined with tropical storms and potential hurricanes making their way up the coast ..LOL.. Enjoy..
First this was the 1st section I planted this year...look how it has matured since even a month ago when I posted on July 15. The dahlias and cannas have exploded in that well amended soil and the urn has finally started coming into its own. Someone asked me what was planted at the base of the urn. Those are orange profusion zinnias and dusty miller I grew from seed...
a closeup of the urn...
Look how giant my castor bean plants got..LOL..around 11ft so far. Hard to believe I just started these from seed in early April..
This is the big bed at the base of the garden wall steps. I planted those triple yellow datura plants LATE - around June and they have grown like crazy. They must love that soil as they have thrown mostly quad flowers and LOTS of them...
Morning glories are on the stone column in the back right hand corner. Next year..our victorian birdhouse will sit up there..
Your gardens are so wonderfull that it is disgusting, LOL.
This is the second half of the garden that John is working on now...he has just completed the large brick patio section you see in the center here. On this patio will stand 6 large 8ft carved white greek style columns that will hold up our pergola. If you look very carefully you may be able to see where he has 6 bricks missing where he has sunken a large metal eye hook that will secure the columns upright. We will have a seating area here to sit and enjoy the garden..
In the far upper right you see where he is now working on the cobblestone floor of my potting area in front of the potting shed..
a view back across to the completed side of the garden..
John hopes if he can get the brickwork done this year..he can start next spring putting up the wooden fencing and iron fencing that will go on top of the existing perimeter walls. He spends rainy days in the cellar turning the wooden dowels for the picket fencing. I marvel every day at his never ending energy and ambition.
a view from the other side of the steps leading over the wall and into the garden.
one more for now...
gotta love that nana plant that struggled sooo hard to grow tall enough to stand out over the sweet potato vines..LOL..
Well I can see your summer has been an incredible success on all fronts. You must hate to see the season ending as everything looks so great. Your plants are just perfect.
I just love your pictures Diane, they are always something to look forward to seeing! Thanks for the updates. And also congrats to your man for a job done with such heart and such skill.
Diane..I always get so excited when I see there has been a new post with pics from you on your posting!!...It's on my list...what a labor of love...I can only imagine the pride of seeing you twos dream garden "Stonehenge" coming to life!!..what work...what dedication...makes me want more land!!..I know as long as the weather permitted..I would just LIVE out there...well done both of you....Envious of yall in Texas!!....Jeanne
Next year - Road Trip to Connecticut! Thanks for sharing your beautiful space.
-Kim
It's so heartwarming to see such a labor of love. And the results are quite wonderful! May you enjoy it for many happy years. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely gorgeous. You and John have done a remarkable job.
Diane that is so incredibally beautiful. What a wonderful job you and your DH have done. You are both very talented in your design
I love the continuing story of your garden!! It just gets more wonderful all the time!Congratulations to you and your hubby for all the hard work! I think you have a beautiful book here! I hope to see it someday, when you have the time!!
Ha! I'll look forward to watching the two of you continue to build your Utopia!!
Bonnie
Thanks for sharing, Diane! It always makes me smile when I see this thread pop up in my thread watcher. :-)
Awsome Diane!!!!!!!!!!!! I can see that nana now!!!!!!! LOL!
Magnificent, Diane and John!
I too love to see how things are coming along with your dream garden.
I am in awe.
As I look at your photos I am amazed at how lush everything is.
It just tells me that the ammended soil makes such a difference. And of course your tender loving care.
applause applause applause
Can't wait to see the gazebo.
Cheers,
Carol
APPLAUSE !! (echoing Starzz)
Awesome accomplishment.
Joyful results.
When do you start running paying tours??
Thank you for keeping us posted on your success.
It's as grand as the gardens one pays to see.
~Blooms
I'm wishing I was 40 yrs younger and had an acre so that we would have something comparable to CORNSGIRL. Here we plant something and step back while it shoots up but I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life!! You go girl!
I think maybe your garden should be included in national monuments and protected forever!!! It is stunning, aweinspiring and makes me weary just contemplating the sheer volume of work. Congrats
Standing (in awe) Ovation! Breath-taking!
Diane,
Just wondering what you are preparing for this winter. Weather not too bad up until recent, has John been laying out plans inside for more of your fantastic stonehenge?
Candee
Hi, Candee...
No, John doesn't know what it means to "stay inside"..the weather has been mild and he is out there every day after work and on weekends. Currently he is working on hand building the iron fencing that will line the top of two of the perimeter walls. Here is a pic I took of him welding the gate in place on the first wall. The main portion of this particular piece of fencing (from the steps out about 10ft on either side) is actually very old..he restored it. Once he ran out of the "old stuff" he hand forged and welded the remaining footage..did such a marvelous job you would never know where the old stops and the new begins. This is absolutely breathtaking to see in person. I squealed with delight the first day I saw it..it adds such elegance to the garden!
Here's another closer up pic....
I don't think I ever showed you guys the gate John completed last summer..he hand built this gate from scratch - it leads into the potting area in front of my potting shed.
Breathtaking is right! That's absolutely beautiful iron work.
I was just wondering about you two and your garden the other day, so it's nice to get an update.
Happy New Garden Year.......
I was wondering, too, so glad for the update. I've been admiring from afar, but it's time I thank you for sharing your paradise with us, it's possitively wonderful and inspiring.
This is unbelievable. One day people will pay admission just to see your beautiful "Stonehenge". Every time you update I plan a trip to CT - LOL
-Kim
Dianne, your garden, home and 'barn' are beyond beautiful. John is an absolute Master. Thank you for the update.
What a treat to see an update on your amazing Victorian garden.
Thanks so much. I went back to the top of this thread and looked at all the pics in awe.
The iron work is incredible! The accents at the entries are fabulous.
Three cheers for John.