Re: Bright colour stains for decks and fences
Hello Nan
----- Original Message -----
From: Nan Sterman <nsterman@mindsovermatter.com>
Subject: Re: Bright colour stains for decks and fences
> Sorry Louise, the problem with theories is that they only hold true for the
> theorist! If you saw my garden (or spoke with me) you would never question
> whether I am really into gardening. In fact, I find that peole who are
> interested in more than plants have gone through a "strictly plants" phase
> of gardening and then realize that it takes more than simply plants to
> create a beautiful environment, so they start looking at the overall
> environment, including woodwork.
You should do a feature article from this message in its entirety. I am in
agreement with you on the plants and then moving on to other features in the
garden. There is a delicate balance in there between plants and manmade objects.
In my garden there is a arched bridge over a small dry stream bed (that does carry
water in wet weather). Arched entrance to the garden. A bench in the center of the
garden near the limestone sculpture. Couple of small lanterns placed on rocks near
where one would cross over a bridge. I picked up a piece of formed sculpture at a
garden shop right after Christmas that had been marked down. Had seen photos of it
in magazines for some time. Brought it home and relaized ... whoops... does not go
with the rest of the garden and things are getting cluttered, distracting from the
flow. Looks as though it will have to find another place around here to reside.
> snip........
> When we restuccoed our house last year, I chose a deep terra-cotta color
> instead of the typical white or beige. I chose those colors to create a
> dramatic background for the plants. If you have ever looked at pictures of
> homes from New Mexico, you would have seen how those deep color backgrounds
> make the plants shine like jewels. That is the goal. The plants are
> always the actors, everything else is stage dressing.
We recently had the house, garage ends and smokehouse (now garden shed)
done in vinyl siding. The color is cactus green with white trim. New tin roofs on
the smokehouse and garage are in dark green. On the east side of the house I have
selected shrubs that have red in the foliage for anchors. Peris andromeda and
dwarf Nandina. There is a new deck as well on that side, so when it ages to pearl
gray that should temper things just a bit. I like color, but always to the soft
side that is restful and easy to the eye. Another foliage combination I am working
on for this area is the Cimicifuga Brunete in deep black-red with the veriegated
foliage Jacobs Ladder in bright green and white with the sky-blue blooms. They
will not bloom at the same time, but the foliage combination should be a sight to
behold. Especially if the Nandinas get their red berries by then. Don't know for
sure on the timing as yet.
In this discussion of styles there is one rule that comes before all othes.
Please you eye and feelings first and foremost.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
