The Middle Path Revisited

As part of the extensive landscaping project in the front yard, a new curved walkway was installed. During the planning, however, I overlooked one important detail: the existing straight pea-stone path leading from the Middle Gate into the front yard.

2017

2025

Once the new walkway was completed, the old straight path no longer felt right. It seemed out of sync with the curved lines of the new landscape and drew the eye in a way that no longer suited the garden entry. As is often the case, one project unexpectedly led to another.

The first task was to remove the old pea stone pathway. Beneath it was a deep layer of crushed gravel that also had to be excavated by hand before any planting could begin.

Once the gravel was removed, I brought in new topsoil to restore the planting bed.

Adding the new soil became a two-day project. Two large bulk bags of soil were spread throughout the bed, followed later by a yard of mulch to finish the surface and prepare it for planting.

The work also required digging and relocating several large hostas that had grown along the driveway for many years. Their roots had become intertwined with the gravel, making removal a challenge. After lifting the heavy root balls, I carefully cut back the roots and removed as much gravel as possible before replanting them in nearly the same location, this time in amended soil topped with fresh mulch.

I then turned my attention to the planting design. An established spirea remained as an anchor for the bed.

Two globe-shaped boxwoods were planted at opposite ends of the front porch—one near the steps and the other where the old pea-stone path had once been.

A large Bowling Ball arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Bobazam') and a smaller transplanted specimen added additional globe-like structure.

Two Azaleas ('Azalea Karen') were introduced to provide seasonal color (purple in the spring)

Existing Hosta were divided and replanted throughout the bed, and red Astilbes from other parts of the garden were transplanted to weave the new planting into the rest of the landscape.

A Bonfire Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Bonfire'), was also added to the garden and will eventually become an important focal point along the walk.

The final step was to create a new approach to the Middle Gate. Rather than reinstall a straight path, I chose faux stepping stones similar to those in the Stroll Garden.

 

The Stroll Garden

The gentle curve encourages visitors to slow down as they approach the gate, creating a more natural transition between the gardens.

The remaining pea stone was removed (not the underlaying gravel), and the mulched bed from the front walkway was extended all the way to the Middle Gate threshold. The garden entrance sign and most of the existing plantings remained in place, preserving the character of the entrance while giving it a renewed sense of purpose.

A series of slate stepping stones were also incorporated into the planting bed, offering an alternate route through the garden without interrupting the flow of the design (in time, as these shrubs grow, we will need to adjust or remove these steps).

In addition, Fountain grasses, divided the previous autumn, now frame the entrance to the curved walkway with additional cuttings placed along the curved walkway.

Looking back, this project became much more than replacing an outdated pathway. It transformed what had once been a broad expanse of pea stone into a richly planted garden space filled with contrasting textures, forms, and seasonal color.

More importantly, it extends the Asian-inspired character of the Zen Garden beyond the Middle Gate and into the newly landscaped front yard. What were once two distinct garden styles—the Zen Garden and the Herb and Rose Gardens—now feel more closely connected, creating a more unified and inviting experience for anyone visiting.

Peony Paradise

The assortment of peonies planted throughout the garden brings a welcome burst of color each spring, announcing the arrival of a new growing season. At the far end of the viewing garden, the Bartzella Itoh Peony and Cora Louise Itoh Peony have matured beautifully, each reaching approximately three feet in height. Their generous exposure to sunlight rewards the garden with a stunning display of luminous yellow and elegant white blossoms, creating a breathtaking focal point that draws the eye across the landscape.

These peonies are among the garden's most anticipated heralds of renewal. Their magnificent blooms, though fleeting, remind us to savor the beauty of the moment. For a brief but unforgettable time, they transform the garden into a celebration of color and life before gracefully yielding to a season of rich green foliage that continues to provide structure and texture throughout the summer.

Cream of the Crop

This year I planted a Dwarf Goatsbeard (Aruncus aethusifolius) along the top ridge of the walkway in the Zen Garden. I have always liked its creamy-white flowers and the finely textured foliage, which reminds me of astilbe. Over the years I've added several of these to the garden, but I especially appreciate the dwarf variety. Their compact size fits naturally into the smaller spaces between the stones and allows them to complement, rather than compete with, the surrounding plants.

One of the reasons I keep coming back to Dwarf Goatsbeard is its reliability. It performs well in the shade, requires very little maintenance, and, perhaps most importantly, is rarely bothered by deer or rabbits. It may not be the showiest plant in the garden, but its quiet beauty and dependable nature make it one of those plants I always enjoy seeing return each spring.

Pom Pom Trim

While cleaning up from the winter, I decided to trim the Boulevard Cypress Oriental Pompon (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Cyano-virdis') near the East Gate. I usually trim this out mid-summer, but the corner where it is planted needed immediate attention.

The Cypress has grown considerably over the last few years. Much of the bottom growth has disappeared, but new growth at the top continues. Hence, I was a bit less aggressive with trimming this time.

Putting off the trimming has resulted in the Cypress losing its faux "cloud pruning" of the past. As a result, I needed to remove a significant amount of growth between limbs to open up those spaces once again.

Pruning the Cypress is a time-consuming task. Also, the space where it is located requires me to be careful not to damage nearby plantings.

Unfortunately, the Heaven Scent Jacob's ladder (Polemonium 'Heaven Scent') I planted last year in the front left corner of the bed did not survive the winter. In its place I planted a remnant of Japanese forest grass I had sitting in a bucket. The grass likes shade and over time will do well here. Most likely it will grow too big in time and I will need to relocate it, but for now, it fills the empt gap well.

I have become fond of the tree. Its ability to thrive over the years has been remarkable. On the other hand, I am concerned that it may be outgrowing the space allocated by the tight corner where it resides. Hopefully, continued pruning will help ensure that it survives for a few more years.

A Wrinkle in Time x 2

Over the years, the narrow bed at the northeast end of the garden, diagonally across from Buddha, has been one of the more difficult places to plant. Its limited space and light have challenged many of the plants I've tried there, and finding the right fit has been an ongoing exercise in patience.

This spring, I decided to try two 'Wrinkle in Time' hostas. 

image taken July 8

Growing to only about nine inches tall, their compact habit seems well suited to this small space. I needed two plants to fill the bed, but together they create a balanced planting without feeling crowded. The purple blooms add a welcome touch of seasonal color among the rocks and greenery. 

Like the other hostas throughout the garden, they should receive enough filtered light to settle in and flourish. With a little luck, they'll grow into healthy clumps that can someday be divided and shared with other quiet corners of the garden.

Gardening often means accepting that some places take longer than others to reveal what belongs there. Perhaps this little bed has finally found the plants it has been waiting for.

Whispers of Spring

The first two weeks of May are always among my favorite times in the garden. Almost every day brings something new, and the viewing and stroll gardens begin to fill with the fresh colors that signal spring has truly arrived.

The First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) leads the way with a brilliant flush of deep red foliage, impossible to overlook.

Nearby, an early tree frog pauses at the base of a fence rail, as if taking a moment to enjoy the garden before the busy season begins.

The Royal Raindrops Crabapple (Mrs. Krabappel) follows with its soft pink blossoms, adding another layer of color to the landscape. It also reminds me that a little pruning is in its future—a garden is always beautiful, but it's never really finished.

By the second week of May, the First Flame has already begun its gradual transformation, its fiery red softening to orange before the leaves eventually settle into their summer green.

For this brief window, though, the vibrant colors steal the show, reminding me why spring is such a rewarding season. After months of waiting, the garden is awake once again.

Deer vs. Goats

As spring unfolded, I found an unwelcome surprise near the back gate of the vegetable garden. The Pink Azalea (Azalea 'Blaauw's Pink'), which I had planted just last May, had been severly browsed by deer. 

2025 - in better days

Looking back, I should have known better. It was simply too close to the fence line of the woodlot beyond, where deer pass through with regularity.

Rather than give up on it, I carefully dug up the azalea and moved it into a bucket, hoping a season of recovery will give it a chance to regain its strength before finding it a safer home later this summer.

The empty space offered an opportunity to try something new. In its place, I planted 'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus), a slightly larger variety that produces airy, cream-colored plumes and grows to about two or three feet tall. 

Photo - post plume trim in July

It should fill the opening nicely while bringing a softer texture to this corner of the garden.

I've come to appreciate Goatsbeard over the years. The dwarf varieties have proven themselves dependable in the shaded parts of the garden, asking for little while rewarding me with graceful foliage and reliable blooms. 'Chantilly Lace' feels like a natural extension of that success. Its creamy flowers offer a welcome contrast to the brighter astilbes growing elsewhere, adding a quieter note that complements rather than competes.

A Delayed Spring

This spring, I fell behind on posting regularly. Two factors contributed to the delay.

First, I postponed most early-spring garden maintenance and held off on major projects within the existing Asian themed gardens because landscape work was underway elsewhere on the property.

Second, I planned a May trip to Los Angeles to visit more than 24 Japanese gardens. Writing entries for My North American Garden Adventure took considerable time and pushed spring and summer projects further back.

The During the summer of 2026 we chose to rebuild our front porch. Serious structural issues resulted in instability that required a new deck and supporting posts.

We took this opportunity to move forward with a full front yard landscaping reconsideration.

We also needed to consider the walkway and herb garden. The walkway was a 20-year-old “temporary” path made of 16 x 16-inch pavers with an adjacent herb garden.

Plants in the front bed and the herb garden were removed.

The new walkway would be installed in spring, after which the old pavers would be reused as a patio base beneath the gazebo in the Zen garden courtyard, slated for completion later in the spring/summer 2026.

I re-landscaped the front yard to introduce curves that would border the new herb garden and create a sweeping bed for the rose garden.

Most of this first phase, including the addition of an acre of mulch, was finished before winter, including planting the roses and other plants. All pre-existing herbs were potted up and overwintered in the vegetable garden greenhouses and raised beds, to be replanted in the spring.

The old walkway would remain throughout the winter until a new walkway could be installed in the spring.

In early spring, we scheduled the installation of a new curved front walkway. Matching the circular geometry we created in the fall was a priority, and the contractor did an excellent job with a stamped-concrete walkway in a natural stone pattern and a brownish patina.

Once the walkway was in, we replanted the herb garden, followed by work along the bed in front of the porch.

We also added a small circular island with a pear tree. I initially considered shaping the bed like a yin–yang symbol, but decided that would be too kitschy, so I kept it a simple circle. 

Later, I placed a small Japanese stone lantern I picked up during my California trip.

There’s still much to do. The plan is to recreate the Middle Gate entrance and connect it to the front yard with new plantings. In the meantime, the rose garden is comig along and the front yard looks much improved.

A large stone and another Japanese lantern are planned for the bed in front of the porch as a separate summer project beginning in July.

Hopefully, these additions will strengthen the connection between the Japanese-themed gardens elsewhere on the property.

Hopefully this explain the long absence from the blog throughout the spring and early summer (note: this post is back-dated but was written in early July).