Enter the Dragon

I finally decided to make some major adjustments to the Dragon's Spine area.

Originally, this meandering edge was not meant to be part of the Zen garden. It was just the property line along the back yard. We thought that the edge looked like a dragons's spine, with the tail end at the far end of the property behind the garden shed, and the dragon's head at the retaining wall-edge that overlooked the Zen garden. In those early days, a sump pump spilled water into the Zen garden (long since diverted elsewhere).

Over time, I filled the bed with a variety of plants and shrubs, some of which are still there, others moved to locations elsewhere on the property. 

When I decided to build a Sukiya style gate, I placed it at the far end of the Dragon's Spine. As a result, a small portion of the meandering edge was cut off, reducing the amount of meandering. Over the next few years I used the bed as sort of a dumping ground for plants which had nowhere else to go.

Some of the long term plantings include a large and small boxwood, small pine tree/shrub, and or course the red dwarf maple at the center.

I had been hoping that some of these plants would grow into a hedge wall that would act like a fence. However, that hope was not realized. My desire for a hedge wall contributed to my unwillingness to extend the Japanese style fence that I built in the Zen garden, and subsequent Viewing and Stroll gardens down along the back of the Dragon's Spine.

However, I have now decided to try a variation on the fence idea. The woodlot behind the house is not pleasant to look at. So, a fence would go a long way to improve the view.

Searching around on the internet I happened to come across an image that sparked my interest. 

In addition, I had taken a photo of a gate at Sho-fu-en in the Denver Botanic Garden that had elements that I thought might help with a new fence design.

Combining the two images into one design allowed me to come up with the following plan:

The post structure is similar to the existing fence style, except that it will be stained black. Instead of cedar panels, the left and right panels will consist of 1" diameter black bamboo screens. The center panel will be centered behind the Red Dwarf Maple and consist of naturally stained cedar slats laid horizontal with repeating gaps to create a screen. This should give it a "pop" from the rest of the fence, and the lighter cedar behind the dark red Maple will help the Maple stand out.

It will take a few days to get this project finished, especially before the arrival of winter. So far the first day saw me remove some planting and install the posts. 

Day two consisted of installing most of the rails and top rail, as well as a first coat of black stain. 

Over the next week, I should be able to complete a second staining and install the bamboo. The center slats will take some time to create and install. In the meantime, I'm happy with how its turning out.

Rain Day

Today was a beautiful fall day with a gentle rain that made the garden a wonder to walk through. 

The Charlotte (Veronica Longifolia 'Charlotte') near Guanyin was in full bloom

The bees were even willing to brave the rain in order to sample the blooms.

Throughout the garden there were lots of plants, both planted and potted, that were  beautiful to behold.

It was one of the most enjoyable rainy fall days in the garden I have ever experienced. It was a nice way to start the end of the season.

Ring My Bell

After waiting all summer, I finally got around to renovating and re-installing the garden bell. 

2021

The bell had been taken down when the new back porch was being built. Having the post-bell too close to the rain chain would have resulted in two vertical features competing for visual attention. So, it was decided to remove the post-bell.

However, after the porch was completed, and the rain chain installed, I struggled with finding a location within the garden where the bell could be re-installed. There simply was no place to put it. Its location had to make sense and fit in with the overall aesthetic of the garden, while simultaneously having a bell in a location where it might make sense to have a bell worth ringing.

After much thought, I decided to place it in the small island at the corner of the gazebo. 

I was worried that it would compete with the maple. Again, an over crowding issue. However, the maple is growing very slowly and I think I can trim the tree as needed. On the other hand, I would have to move the newly installed rock and plantings to make room for the post.

Having the bell in this location will help break up the harshness of the gazebo post, and being at the entrance of the gazebo might make it a place where one might want to ring a bell - for diner perhaps.

I followed a similar approach to the installation I conducted back in 2015. 

First, I had to replace the old post which had rotted. This time I added a post protector at the base. 

I also replaced the bell roofing with a PVC underlay that will not rot. The remainder of the roof is made of the newly sanded and re-stained pieces from the original, including the flowerettes.

I then replaced the stone and some temporary plantings at the base.

Its nice to see the bell back in the garden. 

Hearing its chime is soothing and its return helps contribute to this summer's rebirth of the garden.

Switcheroo

Last year I neglected several of my large spirea, including the Spiraea japonica 'Alpina' (Japanese Spirea - aka 'Nana') located on the corner of the garage that was first planted in 2013. 

2013

I really liked this spirea because it had darker foliage than most of the others I have. It also had wonderful pink full flowers that were accentuated by the dark green foliage.

2018

By 2018, it was one of my best formed spirea. I had learned that in order to keep its shape, one needs to trim it two or three time each summer. Sometimes it meant cutting it as it was flowering, but doing so kept it from getting too stringy and out of shape.

2021

Alas, I was to busy with fence repairs and other tasks, I neglected to keep up with the trimming, and by the fall it was stringy and woody, and when I trimmed and removed dead wood, it had basically became a sickly looking shrub. I left it for this summer, and although it recovered slightly, it was still a mess.

I have had this problem elsewhere with other spirea and have learned that cutting it down and relocating it to a better, more sunny location can slowly help bring the shrub back. In fact, I had been spending the last two year rehabilitating a spirea out in the front yard island. It has now do so well that I had to move it out of the island. 

It had grown too large for that location. However, I was able to shape it into a more globe like shrub. So, I decided to switch the two spirea, the newly healed and shaped one would be moved to the garage corner, and what was left of the 'Nana' would move out to the front island.

Rehabilitated spirea moved to garage corner

Spirea 'Nana' moved to the front island

The 'Nana' is in bad shape, but no worse than the shrub it is being switched with when I first moved that other spirea to the island two years ago.

If all goes to plan, the "Nana' should get better while the spirea at the corner continues to fill in that prominent location in the garden.

Only time will tell.

Pruning Time

The pine tree in the viewing garden was becoming a bit overgrown, so it was time for a trim. The last time I prunned it was back in July 2021. At that time I was concerned that I might have over trimmed the tree and potentially killed it. However, it recovered just fine.

This time around the tree was not as overgrown as last time. learning from the past, I knew to keep the pruning simple - don't over prune.

The gaol is to open up the growth so that you can see the trunk. 

The finished pruning is not as tight as the last time, with some of the needle ends of branches extending a bit longer that last time. Nevertheless, I did remove at least 30% of the growth.

Overall, the tree looks better. I will need to see if this becomes an annual or bi-annual necessity. In the meantime, I will simply admire the beauty of the tree.