01 April 2008

A UNIQUE INDIGENOUS GARDEN DESIGN : THE BIG REVEAL Tuesday, 1 April 2008
UPDATE no.10: This is no April's Fool Joke {“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson}

We had to add rocks to the gravel section due to bambinos enjoying the feeling of a bicycle ride on gravel.

The words of Emerson above are very apt for this mammoth detailed garden design. Leanne Cumberlege and yours truly definitely had to adapt to the pace of nature with Leanne sporting loads more patience than me ... always thought that I was the patient type, but was rudely surprised by this garden shaping which pushed the boundaries of patience way beyond its limit. Those who have been monitoring the progress of this design on Doing Life, will know what I am about. We must congratulate Leanne and her team (Leanne Cumberlege Landscapes cc) on truly accomplishing the brief she received from us for this garden design. The end result is exactly and even more than what we envisaged for our little piece of heaven around our new home. Leanne must also be commended for the calm, professional and friendly manner in which she went about managing and accomplishing this enormous project from ground zero right to a magnificent end result.

It is amazing how the pathway takes one on a meander of discovering various hidden corners in this relatively small bushveld garden. There are three major spots where one could sit down, take a few deep breaths, clear one’s thoughts and appreciate nature around you.

These three spots being the Orange Free State Sandstone table and benches from where one have a view over 70% of the garden. This is an ideal spot for that early morning cup of coffee to get the body warmed up for the day ahead. Then there is ‘the Rock’ (no reference to the movie) which is a mid-morning pick-me-up area on which an apple could be savoured to keep the blood sugar at a constant level or just for meditating.

Lastly, the gazebo with the swing bench which are snugly tucked away at the back of the house and have become the official sundowner venue.

Section at Dining Room Window

The hidden section at the side of the house beneath the dining room window has also turned out very interesting. It has become a succulent/cactus garden of sorts. One of the succulents has already sported beautiful flowers (see pic below). The nine pots incorporated in this section’s design aided in giving a more three dimensional feel to a rather uninteresting rectangle piece of ground.

The garden already survived its first onslaught of nature’s fury. A sudden hail storm struck the garden this past Saturday afternoon. The hail came down at an angle. Fortunately all the plants seemed hail resistant apart from the pink rock roses of which only a few was slightly damaged. So at least the garden does not have to fear hail storms … however, we will have to wait and see what the Gauteng winter frost has installed for it.

We just love our gardenscape and so does the birds. Yours truly cannot keep up the wild bird seed supply in the three bird feeders. It really feels like one is wandering in the bushveld and that a little buck of sorts could make an unexpected appearance … just imagine … wishful thinking hey … the closest thing to a buck sited so far, is the neighbours ever watchful cat on the prowl for a bird who has let its guard down. Mmm that ‘slingshot’ is slowly, but surely becoming a reality …

Also note, the swimming pool has miraculously survived the whole ordeal … miracles do happen. Me and Leanne’s patience was actually only really put to the test (my test failed dismally) by the Pole & Timber Centre sub-contractor who has given us shocking service. We just hope that this is not an example of the type of service that South Africans might have to become use too in the future. Watch this space for a possible report on this sub-contractor’s service. To this date, their installation has not been finalized … which says it all. I would like to thank all of you who have been tuning into Doing Life to read each update as it was published as well as all the emails I received complimenting us on the garden and begging for the next update … it all made this project worthwhile. Hope some of you could visit us in the near future to experience our bushveld garden in real life. - Bushveld inhabitant signing off with the following quote: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~Lao Tzu

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:12 PM

    Desire, I think your garden is absolutely stunning - it is neat, beautiful and fun. I wish you many hours of pleasure in your garden space and certainly would love to pop in to see when we come up to Jo'burg one day. Looking forward to see some scap pages of it too.
    Lotsa love
    Carol (the other TP)

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  2. Ab-so-lu-tely stunning!!!

    Your garden is awesome. It is almost how I pictured it and is certainly how I have pictured my small section in my garden behind my kitchen.

    I can't wait to visit you and enjoy your garden.

    Love

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  3. Your garden has really become an eye of beauty...you will reap the benefit for sure.

    Hope to see it in person soon.

    Love,
    ME

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  4. Anonymous10:03 AM

    Stunning, Stunning, Stunning
    Love

    Stella

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  5. Have seen your garden on your blog WOW it is absolutely beautiful, it is so inspirational I just want to get my hands dirty and get stuck in my own garden. Enjoy the tranquillity of your own piece of paradise.

    Miss you lots
    Love
    Nicola

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  6. Anonymous1:18 PM

    Conroy and Desire, you two always only do things properly !!! Congrats your garden is too beautiful. Now please get down and do some kits for us scapping addicts ( only teasing ) enjoy your special garden and this of the TP when you are having your sundowners tonight !!

    Take care
    Lots of Love
    Bev ( green thingi )

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  7. Anonymous2:32 PM

    Oh my gosh, Desire. I thought your garden in kloof was beautiful, but this is absolutely amazing. Your natural ability for design and imagination is truely outstanding.
    I most definately think the Pinetown crew need to plan a weekend trip to see it in real life. Thanks so much for the article on Melissa,
    love Sheila (Olympic swimming Mom)

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  8. Hi Desire,
    I come to know you from the blog hop that's running this month created by Let's Scrap! Something tells me I must see your blog, now I know why and I'm your follower now. Besides crafting which I love so much, I also luv gardening. Your garden is spectacular! I imagine sitting there making cards or just pondering. What a beauty you created! Congrats!
    Hugs from Malaysia!
    Asmah
    www.qinaahanaartsandcrafts.blogspot.com
    ps:I'll be happy if you visit my blog and see a bit of my garden :) Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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Crafty hugs
Desire