Extending Pathways Pt 2

BY SKEETER

Here is the Butterfly Island Garden with the Key Hole pathway containing a Bird Feeder. (Click HERE to see how this garden started) I found myself walking through the Butterfly Bushes to get to the Semi-Formal Garden. So decided it was time to extend this pathway in my GEORGIA GARDEN. The pea gravel looks white in this pic but that is bad lighting with an older camera, hence, an old photo taken back in 2007.

Spring of 2011, we moved the Butterfly Bushes around a bit in this garden because the Bald Cypress needed room to breathe. You cannot see that tree in this pic. As you can see, this pea gravel is the brown tones so it was moved to the pathways I showed you on Tuesday in my Semi-Formal Garden. Which you can see beyond the grass in this pic.

This was an easy path to construct as it was full of sand and all the old tree roots from 4 sweet gum trees have rotted down over time.

In this photo, I am standing inside the Arbor of the Semi-Formal Garden. I had yet to fill in the blank spot with the moved gravel from the Key Hole path when I snapped this pic. It has since been filled in of course. See how this pathway lines up with the new path?

Here is the new pathway through the island. The Butterfly Bushes are doing great and did not become harmed from being moved. They are tough bushes. I moved these Elephant Ears from the Semi-Formal Garden where they were once located. The dogwood trees had gotten too tall and shaded them. Plus, they were not getting the water they needed during this drought. They are now a bit closer and easier for me to keep happy with water. Here, you can see the Bald Cypress Tree.

Here is the patch of grass that separates the Butterfly Island and the Semi-Formal Garden. I once again must ask myself the question; Do I attach these three pathways or leave them as be? We use this grassy area as a pathway to the Wood/Mower and Garden Sheds. And also, we collect debris and keep it in that area by the sheds as well. We also drive the truck down this grassy path. So at this point, I think this area will remain as is.

Now to the other side of this Walk-thru island. It is time to connect the Island, Swing and Wishing Well Garden.

Once again, Free Brick and lots of digging in the dirt. I spent one day in high heat and humidity taking out the grass. I took it out as sod so as to fill in sunken holes on the east side of the house. That was a tough day and ended with a headache.

Back to work the next day and again, in heat and humidity.

It was tough work in the heat but I was not going to stop until I completed this project. Gravel was laid into place on the third day.

My only mistake, I should have put a curve on this instead of making it straight. But when making it, I was thinking of mowing the grass and how easier it is to keep a straight line trimmed verses a curve. Oh well, I can always go back later on and change this up. But for now, we shall live with it. See that Bald Cypress tree now? It was taking over the butterfly bushes and now it is taking over the Angel Trumpet. The Trumpet shall be moved next spring. Tina, look how your Trumpet is growing this year! It loved the early spring and hot temps.

I do not like the white gravel but that is all we could find in our area. Of course, I could have gotten a truck load of brown tone gravel and it would have been cheaper then a pallet of bags. As I mentioned on Tuesdays post, it is much easier for me to work with bags. I am trying to get Clematis to grow up the arbor of the swing. You can also see faded Castle Rocks used to the left of the swing. I had to get some new ones and they will fade in time.   

With this view, you can see I have yet another garden to attach up with to the left.

The middle of the Wishing Well Garden and looking towards the Fire Pit, Patio and Rock Garden.

I have a vision of an arched bridge and dry creek bed as this area becomes soggy during heavy rains. Which, we have not seen in 3 years! Ha...

You would see the Rock Garden as you walk over the Bridge.

The stepping stones you see in this shot lead from the house to the patio. The Saint has an idea to build a boardwalk of sorts from the house to the patio. Which would now become a deck instead of concrete patio. I think a creek bed running from this area past a bridge connection would tie in together. But for now, no more EXTENDING PATHWAYS, In the Garden...