Roy's Garden Paradise Tour Last Part

As I have been working on these three posts it occurred to me I have mentioned that the reason we visited this wonderful garden paradise was because of a pond party-yet I really have no pictures of the pond. Well, here are a few. The picture above shows part of the stream that travels around the garden and empties into the pond.

Here is one of the ponds proper. I really did not explore the ponds all that much because I was so captivated by the whole garden and the many specimen plants so I can't really talk much about the ponds. They were quite lovely and very nicely done in this garden.

I am not sure how many folks came to this party but I would hesitate to guess there were probably at least 40 people. Roy's house and garden are set up to entertain and I somehow got the feeling he and his wife really like to entertain. I always admire this in people because entertaining is not my thing at all. You know how some folks make it look so easy to throw together a party and everyone has a great time? Well that was Roy and his wife Linda, but is not me:( If you would like to come and visit my garden tho I am pretty good in the garden!) The above patio was right outside an entry to the house and was quite an entertainment area. While I do not show all of the seating areas in the garden I would guess there were more than half a dozen. Everyone had a spot to sit and talk with others and I know in our spot we loved our company and really felt comfortable in the garden.

This was our spot to sit and dine on some really good country cooking food! Don't you love the tropical feel of it provided by the gigantic hardy Japanese banana (Musa bajoo).

This picture shows the detail of a large pergola over another seating area. Splendid!

Here is another little Buddha hiding under the diving board for the swimming pool. Don't you love little surprises in the garden? This Buddha looks like he is ready to jump out and surprise unsuspecting divers.

I finish these posts with another view of a corner garden highlighted by a Japanese style lantern. On our visit to Roy and Linda's garden it was clear this was a garden that is so very loved and tended to by a very passionate garden as well as pond person....

in the garden....

Happy Birthday to my sister Joanne! 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Roy's Garden Paradise Tour Continues

As we continue with our garden and pond tour we are astounded by these gigantic elephant ears. I think Roy said he ordered these bulbs online from somewhere. He winters the bulbs over inside in a cool area and brings them out each spring for planting in some really nice pots. These elephant ears sure add to the overall theme of the garden; which appears to be Asian.

Now this is the greenhouse I would love to have in my own garden. While my little Harbor Freight 6'x8' greenhouse rocks and does the job, this one is so much bigger and more professional. It comes complete with a heater, fan and a very nice shape.

Look at all that space and nice shelves! Roy is ready for garden season and can easily propagate all of the plants he needs for his garden-and even perhaps have some leftover for some friends!

Here is another little Buddha complete with his own temple. Love it!

There are several bridges in this garden and here is yet another one. The ornamentation and nice combination of stone, plants, and hardscaping is very creative and very functional.

Roy's garden has a lot of water features. Like I said in my first post Mr. Fix-it and I met Roy through the Montgomery County Water Garden Society. The very title of this group says that not only do these folks have an interest in water gardening, but they are interested in more than just ponds. Not everyone can build a pond but almost everyone can have a water feature. This small whiskey barrel is outfitted with a rubber pond liner and filled with what looks to be pickerel weed and a few other water plants. The fish spouting water into the basin adds a lovely sound and helps to keep the water circulating to keep down bugs. What a nice idea!

Here is yet another water feature emptying into the pond.

More on Roy's garden and ponds on Friday....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Roy's Garden Paradise Tour

Have you all had enough of winter yet? It is kind of nice to have a break from gardening during the winter, but at the same time you know when the days start getting longer we all just start itching to get into our gardens. It is time!

Well, to tide us over until it is a bit warmer I thought I'd post some pictures from a local garden and pond paradise right here in Clarksville Tennessee. Mr. Fix-it and I were members of the Montgomery County Water Garden Society last year and as such, we were invited to a few pond parties. The last party of the year was held at Roy and Linda's house. Wow! What a treat. I was floored by it all. As you know, most people who like ponds are gardeners. I guess Roy is a even fit for both gardening and ponds and the two hobbies meld well together. Not only that, but Roy is a car man too, so both Mr. Fix-it and I had a fantastic time at this party. I took tons of pictures during the party, and asked Roy if I could post some on my blog so here is the first of three posts. Like always I like to add in a bit of commentary. Enjoy. 

The above picture is a perfect juxtaposition of textures with the evergreen spruce tree, roses, stone, path and the background cryptomeria.

This picture shows a long shot of the pool through a magnificent Japanese maple.

The lot was not a really big lot but Roy and his wife Linda do have two lots. As such there is a lot of hardscaping joining the entire garden together. This arched bridge is part of the oriental influence of this garden. Simply wonderful! Under the bridge is part of Roy's stream and pond.

More of the oriental influence is evidenced in these Japanese styled lanterns. The bright yellow tropical is a nice focal point set in and amongst all the impatiens.

Another Japanese maple is shown to perfection as a specimen in a raised planter. This one was probably 'Tamukeyama' or 'Garnet' or 'Crimson Queen'. One of the dissectum cultivars of the varied Japanese maple family for sure.

Isn't this guy awesome??

We finish this post with a shot of part of one of the many, MANY, seating areas and a small waterfall into the stream that traverses the yard. More on this wonderful garden on Wednesday....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden