Underneath the arches, again
We have a winding path with three arches in our back garden. The original metal arches were replaced a few years ago. Two years ago, the third arch, furthest from the house, collapsed under the weight of evergreen climbers. We, or rather, Barry, replaced it.
Yesterday, there was an ominous crack as Barry attempted to straighten the sagging arch nearest the house and it slumped even further sideways. It hadn’t damaged the fence round the pond, fortunately, but it was beyond repair, so this morning it was removed. This wasn’t a task quickly accomplished, as the arch was supporting, or rather being supported by, a long-established rose, a vigorous evergreen honeysuckle and jasmine. The plants had to be stripped out first. They have been reduced to ground level and if they grow again, and they probably will, we shall keep them as shrubs if we can, which will be easier to control.
There was a robin singing extravagantly loudly as we worked, which was a delight. In the course of the work, we came across an empty bird’s nest. Any birds planning to use it again this spring will be sadly disappointed.
There is now a huge pile of branches waiting to be graunched into mulch. Over the years, our ground level has risen considerably, as we have added layers of mulch around the trees and shrubs.
Suddenly, the garden looks much bigger. Maybe we will reconsider the remaining arches and whether they, too, should be demolished. It would make garden maintenance easier and more straightforward, though possibly less interesting to the eye.
Graunched! What a great word, that I had to look up. It means something a little different in New Zealand English.
ReplyDeleteA graunching we will go.
A graunching we will go.
Hi, ho, the merry oh.
A graunching we will go.
I am all for making life easier as I get older.
I didn't know the alternative meaning for graunch! Oh, my!
DeleteOh too bad you had to take out all of those plants. However, easy garden maintenance is always a good thing.
ReplyDelete'An interesting garden' seemed such a good idea years ago, but it does take a lot of maintenance . . .
DeleteWhen support is needed for heavier plants galvanised iron pipes is often a better option, pricier, but longer lasting. I see similar structures in Botanical Gardens, usually holding up Wisteria, but a row of the arches to make a "wisteria walk" which is a popular spot for wedding photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame yours has collapsed and the plants cut back. Being natural climbers there will be a lot of future trimming if you want to keep them as shrubs.
We had to trim them anyway, but overhead trimming is hard work. Maybe, we'll be able to keep on top of them now. 😧
DeleteThat was hard work removing the arches with their heavy vines growing on them. Now you can consider how you want to go forward with your garden. I was in my garden today, feeding 2 apple trees, our newer lemon tree and our Santa Rosa plum.
ReplyDeleteFruit trees are wonderful additions to a garden, offering something for every season.
DeleteA lot of work but rather sad it had to all be removed. I must admit our garden is a mess. I'm a bit of a softie and hate to think I'm removing things the birds use!
ReplyDeleteIt's the beginning of the breeding season, so we'll have to be careful where we prune.
DeleteIt grows back. Concrete or stone pillars perhaps...
ReplyDeleteFood for thought . . .
DeleteMy thoughts are running amuck here..."under the arches" is making me think of the "golden arches" (here, "McDonald's)...and "graunching" has even my spellcheck at odds and confused. (After looking up the definition, I'm hoping it's not the South African definition to which you refer.) But most of all, I am wishing to see your garden. It sounds fabulous. Well, truth be told, anything garden-ish sounds lovely about now. We had 13" of snow last night and are bracing for up to another 2 ft over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteDoes winter ever let up for you? It sounds horrendous.
DeleteI looked for photographs to add to my post, but my cataloguing let me down. I know there are plenty and doubtless I shall find them when I'm not looking!
Sounds as though you have a huge garden, I was expecting a photo, lots of lovely plants, the rose, jasmine and honeysuckle to grow back.
ReplyDeleteIt's not huge, but works hard for its living. Photographs seem to have hidden as I couldn't find the ones I was looking for.
DeleteGraunching is exactly the right word for the sound of the garden rubbish chopper upper machine! We had a huge embankment of chippings when a gardener cut our laurel back from 40' to 5'. The hedge looked terrible but 'it will grow back, he said, and it did.
ReplyDeleteWhen I've cut things down to the ground I've always told my aghast husband that they will recover. He can't see my crossed fingers, but somehow plants do grow back . . . thus far.
DeleteI scrolled down to see if you have posted photos showing the before and after look of your garden, but now I will just have to imagine it.
ReplyDeleteYes. I'm sorry there are no photographs - they're in the photo library 'somewhere.'
DeleteTrellising and arches to support plants are beautiful to see in the summer but winter rot makes wood perishable. Grasp the nettle and make the gardening easier by modifying as you get older ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's really what we should do. I can imagine people buying this house in the future and stripping everything out, filling in the pond, and introducing bowling green grass.
DeleteThey say you should add height to every garden, I've never been a fan, my fences are bare, even when you are happy with your garden, its never finished.
ReplyDeleteWe have adapted vertical gardening rather enthusiastically. It's not to everyone's taste, I'm afraid.
DeleteI wish we could graunch some of our waste. We need that mulch. You did a great job by the sounds of it.
ReplyDeleteAs ever, it's a job that's only half-done. As I type, I can hear the grauncher hard at work
DeleteI would have loved to see that display of climbing rose, honeysuckle and jasmine all in full bloom!
ReplyDeleteIf I had been able to find the photographs, you would have done. As usual, I was doing things in a hurry . . .
DeleteSpeaking of robins, our American version is already returning from the south. They do so too early, and we are snow-covered this morning.
ReplyDeleteI hope your robins survive, poor things.
DeleteAt a certain age “easier and more straightforward” trumps “less interesting to the eye.”
ReplyDeleteVery true . . . but we're still fighting the inevitable.
DeleteSounds like you have a lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteCarefully curated photographs would suggest that - let's just say it's lovely in parts.
DeleteSpring cleanup in the yard can get to be quite a chore. I saw the first robin here the other day.
ReplyDeleteIf we were proper gardeners, we would stay on top of the job all year round, but we're not!
ReplyDeleteThe best gardens aren't static, but rather living works of art.
ReplyDeleteWel, there are many interpretations of art. Nice thought, though. 😄
Delete"Graunched" -- now there's a word I haven't heard before! It's very onomatopoeic.
ReplyDeleteI've decided it's too late to clear the ivy in our back garden for exactly the reason you describe -- I suspect the birds already have nests, or the beginning of nests, in it. I guess I'll wait until July!
I dislike depriving the smaller creatures of their comforts.
DeleteA robin .... sigh. We had another snow dump yesterday, and my meeting AND my pancake breakfast out are both cancelled. At noon, however, two grackles turned up but, amazingly, ignored the feeders and the feeding small birds.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on pollarding. I wish we had done more of it when we first got the land.
Your winter does seem very reluctant to depart. I'm sorry it's disrupted your plans, especially the breakfast one.
DeleteThat sounds quite a large but necessary task. How lovely the robin kept you company with its bird song. I envision your garden as being one of welcome to many birds.
ReplyDeleteWe grow things to attract birds and insects, but we don't seem to see as many as we used to, sadly.
DeleteI do love arches
ReplyDeleteThey add a different perspective.
DeleteHow lovely you had a robin to keep an eye on you ... and a nice sunny day too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
There's usually a robin nearby - I love to see them and always talk to them.
DeleteIt’s remarkable how a single fallen arch can suddenly open the garden to light and space though the cheerful song of a European robin seems to promise that life in the garden will carry on, reshaping itself just as the plants surely will.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising how much light was being blocked by one arch, although we appreciated the plants supported by it.
ReplyDeleteThe desire for open space conflicts with the desire for added interest. I'm sure you are skilful enough to create interest in any garden.
ReplyDeleteGarden designers we are not, but we enjoy trying.
ReplyDelete