tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post5666417115176918013..comments2024-03-07T10:06:13.620-05:00Comments on View from Federal Twist: Garden Diary: Small city gardenJames Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-55739848010581975992012-01-24T06:59:24.939-05:002012-01-24T06:59:24.939-05:00That's my experience with them. I think they w...That's my experience with them. I think they would provide privacy from neighbors on upper floors all around as well as a light shade that gives me opportunity for a broader range of planting beneath them.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-46515668291280741762012-01-23T18:53:56.104-05:002012-01-23T18:53:56.104-05:00Next time you're in town, let me know. Maybe w...Next time you're in town, let me know. Maybe we can connect. I take it you travel a lot. By the way, Diana of Elephant's Eye (in South Africa) tells me she has no problem with the blog loading. I do have a mobile template enabled, and it should load quickly, but only on a mobile phone! Glad you like Paley Park. Too bad you missed it.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-81324335268135847302012-01-23T04:12:50.499-05:002012-01-23T04:12:50.499-05:00And I should have also said that one the great thi...And I should have also said that one the great things about Gleditsia is it's lightness and delicacy. I have planted mine for shade as you will. And the shade is that right level. Not too dense and not to scattered. KerryThe Field of Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198031456340592151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-71058693252088517102012-01-23T04:07:13.343-05:002012-01-23T04:07:13.343-05:00I have just read through all of the posts around y...I have just read through all of the posts around your project. And the comments. (now I am back in the city and have decent net access) I really think what you are about is great. Paley Park is stunning inspiration and I see how you have got to your idea now. I was in Manhattan in September, and if I had heard about Paley Park before then that would have been a place of pilgrimage.<br />I love the idea of the chairs. Furniture is not something that usually gets my interest. But it's just great how the ones you envisage are such a part of the idea.<br />Thanks for the comment on the Gleditsia. We will see how they go. Kerry.The Field of Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198031456340592151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-63268385887214249062012-01-22T09:50:12.363-05:002012-01-22T09:50:12.363-05:00I love the tree, Kerry. Some other garden designer...I love the tree, Kerry. Some other garden designers are encouraging me to consider others because this one is so over used in the city. It also can get much bigger than I want it to. My experience is that it can be kept within bounds with pruning, and if given difficult conditions, will remain smaller. It will be interesting to hear how yours fair in your hot, sunny climate.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-18821297138467721042012-01-22T02:44:53.216-05:002012-01-22T02:44:53.216-05:00I have just planted last week three Gledisia Sunbu...I have just planted last week three Gledisia Sunburst adjacent to our lawn. Of necessity after a blazing summer, with sun that tried to fry the top of our heads. Not sure how they will do. We have minimal turf over gravel. I do know they don't like wind. So within hours of planting we had three days of gales.<br />But a stunning tree.<br />KerryThe Field of Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198031456340592151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-20796391841035600122012-01-13T23:20:07.235-05:002012-01-13T23:20:07.235-05:00Ross, I'm intrigued by your suggestions, parti...Ross, I'm intrigued by your suggestions, particularly the use of an architectural "ruin" appropriate to Brownstone Brooklyn. Also by the suggestion of a small pond or perhaps watery feature at its base covered by moss and ferns. That suggestion reminds me of similar plantings I remember seeing in the Vatican Museum and the Forum in Rome. I think your suggestion will move me to find photos of these Italian features for a new post on this concept.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-61389680657540593172012-01-12T21:15:35.180-05:002012-01-12T21:15:35.180-05:00It's a beautiful plan (I prefer the second, be...It's a beautiful plan (I prefer the second, believing that in small gardens symmetry is best) and the sunburst honey locust is a stroke of genius. My only thought (should you use a variation on the second plan) would be to have a screen than has a (large) architectural fragment at its centre, and perhaps at its base, a small pond? A fragment would fit nicely into the Brooklyn sense of place, I think. Think of moss and fern covered ruins in Italy. Or go insane, and recreate Bomarzo?Ross Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12569764928038655656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-85411595599183631982012-01-01T09:52:37.468-05:002012-01-01T09:52:37.468-05:00I guess I'm feeling rather schizophrenic about...I guess I'm feeling rather schizophrenic about it all. A phase I have to go through as I wait for the construction mess to get out of the way. Maybe there will be no money left for the garden and I'll have to "make do." That would probably be a blessing, being forced to take it slowly.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-71966625882610808812011-12-28T06:44:19.622-05:002011-12-28T06:44:19.622-05:00All I know is James is that this whole new space w...All I know is James is that this whole new space will intrigue you and us for a long time to come, and that it will be entirely different to Federal Twist. Best of luck!Gardener in the Distancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14478393904059307841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-35998086371875300732011-12-26T16:56:51.302-05:002011-12-26T16:56:51.302-05:00Rob,
First sketch is still my preference, but havi...Rob,<br />First sketch is still my preference, but having looking at Brooklyn gardens some more, I think I'm probably trying to cram too much into the small space. It's really difficult grasping the small size of that space. It inflates in the imagination. The deck may have to go entirely, perhaps for a smaller stone or gravel seating area, perhaps a less geometric design. Plenty of time to think about possibilities. Will still try to keep the Gleditsia, wavy hedge, and pool.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-82082719088881626572011-12-26T14:58:35.344-05:002011-12-26T14:58:35.344-05:00Ahh almost a secret garden, like walking through t...Ahh almost a secret garden, like walking through the door of a Riad in the Medina. Well, almost.<br /><br />Plan A's what I like. I'm not suprised you are going to create a wavy hedge.I think it'll look superb in that space. keep 'em clipped.<br /><br />I think it's a good idea to put pen to paper. If only as an embellished list. Truth is James, I reckon designing a space this size is difficult. Not much room for error, but you'll make more than a good fist of it.<br /><br />I think the Gleditsia is perfect.<br /><br />Exciting times.Rob (ourfrenchgarden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05087218232138304239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-80493886490186616002011-12-26T10:54:20.744-05:002011-12-26T10:54:20.744-05:00The Gleditsia "Sunburst' are like bright ...The Gleditsia "Sunburst' are like bright flames in early spring well into mid-summer. The one pictured is in my garden in the country, where I planted three that really languish in my heavy wet clay. I expect much more vigorous growth in the city garden, where I will work to improve the soil. I hope to get lots of bang for the buck. (Even in the country, they make quite a statement even though they certainly grow less than vigorously there.) Thanks for that link to Pearson's web site. I had forgotten about the photos there, and thanks for visiting from Rwanda.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-17314300283713236192011-12-26T10:13:32.593-05:002011-12-26T10:13:32.593-05:00Thanks so much for the mention of Dan Pearson'...Thanks so much for the mention of Dan Pearson's city garden. I visited his website (http://www.danpearsonstudio.com/#/selected-works/private/dans-garden/) and took some inspiration for my similarly long, narrow Wash.,DC, garden.<br /><br />I love the idea of your dark colored interior walls (grey?) with the bright lime Gledistia outside -- like the wonderful light when a storm is almost, but not quite, done. They also look like they will be really pretty and have some kind of presence while still young.Cindy at enclos*urehttp://enclosuretakerefuge.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-46160437758657416012011-12-25T14:10:42.097-05:002011-12-25T14:10:42.097-05:00I love that comment! Yes, as in all dense, urban a...I love that comment! Yes, as in all dense, urban areas, I suppose we want a private space behind walls, hidden away from the crowds and noise, quite like a Roman atrium in Brooklyn. I have no illusions; all planning is contingent, and the plans will, as you say, go "walkabout" as soon as I get into the garden to be. There are over 2.5 million residents in Brooklyn alone, so a hidden, secret garden ... yes.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-8082983892376228532011-12-25T13:52:00.072-05:002011-12-25T13:52:00.072-05:00So we are not talking about A Garden, rather a Rom...So we are not talking about A Garden, rather a Roman atrium or a Japanese courtyard, reinterpreted in Brooklynese. Looking out of the house, and into a Brooklyn style atrium/courtyard. <br /><br />We had meticulous plans and a scale model made by my husband, and day by day those ideas went walkabout!Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-55955825091279237452011-12-25T09:32:53.184-05:002011-12-25T09:32:53.184-05:00I agree. I'm not a big one for paper plans. Th...I agree. I'm not a big one for paper plans. The little diagrams I'm doing are transient and just play, really. (I use Excel, not a program intended for drawing, certainly.) Once in the cleared space with a spade, I'll ad lib my way through the process. There's nothing like standing down there with the other buildings looming over you, the sky above, the Brooklyn dirt underneath (dirt, not soil, for sure), and trying to make things work in the real world. The diagrams do help with knowing what materials (gravel, paving) to get when it's practical to get materials through the house, and having a starting point. Agree too about not wanting a lot of "furniture"--only space, privacy, a little water, and light.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-64405898501588296962011-12-24T23:41:31.447-05:002011-12-24T23:41:31.447-05:00Thanks J..I will endeavour to translate...I regard...Thanks J..I will endeavour to translate...I regard paper plans for gardens as ..well.. a waste of paper! A few rough sketches ok! The 'space' changes with every deletion and indeed addition. When asked to rejig older gardens I first put my hangmans hood on and mark all the vegetation that should go. After removal (space has changed) i will do a lesser cull if needs be. With a blank sheet somewhat different though! I would approach it by emptying the space and then and only then begin to seriously compose. I rarely use 'structures' as generally a well designed ensemble will need few or none. Too many modern gardens have so much extraneous 'furniture'!William Martins 'Wigandia'https://www.blogger.com/profile/07936719799700847694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-84075237845079206302011-12-24T08:59:33.136-05:002011-12-24T08:59:33.136-05:00William, I have no idea what you mean, but the, to...William, I have no idea what you mean, but the, to me, cryptic nature of your comment nontheless makes me think. I believe I can look forward to a winter full of ideas. "Pop up" stores seem to have become very fashionable in NYC and other cities these days. Why not a "pop up" garden? Something I can put in quickly, without huge cost or labor. This could be doing the garden ass backwards. Making it, planting it, then designing it (simultaneously). I'm only half joking. I have no idea what the Russians would do. Best wishes to you, too, in this season of mixed blessings.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-55353821838800731552011-12-24T08:19:35.278-05:002011-12-24T08:19:35.278-05:00Best Wishes James. Only one life after all.Best Wishes James. Only one life after all.William Martins 'Wigandia'https://www.blogger.com/profile/07936719799700847694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-88485028099424437762011-12-24T06:25:14.347-05:002011-12-24T06:25:14.347-05:00My goodness such confidence! This one can never ap...My goodness such confidence! This one can never approach any space with any stridency unless the 'space' is cleared and ready for the usual 'acoustic' ambiance. I am not however a North American or indeed European. How would a Russian mind approach this ?William Martins 'Wigandia'https://www.blogger.com/profile/07936719799700847694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-40647056305036217552011-12-23T17:45:32.984-05:002011-12-23T17:45:32.984-05:00Scott, I'm one of those people who love the sm...Scott, I'm one of those people who love the smell of box!! Particularly on a hot summer day when it's very strong. I brings back old memories of my southern upbringing. Absolutely transports me. Too bad for visitors, huh? I do get your sense of the second garden feeling like a museum. As to losing a tree, these Gleditsias are rather fast growing, and I might think about a more random spacing of the trees. Just playing with ideas at present. Thanks. Give box another try...James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-12968102789126950892011-12-23T17:40:25.420-05:002011-12-23T17:40:25.420-05:00Helen, I do too (prefer the top one) but am forcin...Helen, I do too (prefer the top one) but am forcing myself to consider other options since I can't do anything about it now (in winter, during construction). I've thought about the floating stone steps across the water, and enlarging the pool. Not sure it works in the space and, more importantly, the Brooklyn back garden environment. Like the second design, it may be a little too "polished" for the place. Unfortunately, the lay of the land doesn't allow for sinking anything. It would collect water. There's simply not enough change in elevation to do that. Thanks for the ideas.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-27291226367240213062011-12-23T17:35:56.861-05:002011-12-23T17:35:56.861-05:00Robert, I was also thinking about Dan Pearson'...Robert, I was also thinking about Dan Pearson's comments about layered planting in his own studio garden--on the latest Gardens Illustrated podcast with Tim Richardson and Noel Kingsbury talking to Dan, Cleve West, and Andy Sturgeon.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-41454911401474079202011-12-23T17:26:23.733-05:002011-12-23T17:26:23.733-05:00I can't even imagine having to haul all that t...I can't even imagine having to haul all that through the house! I hate to sound bratty...but all those boxwoods...they do tend to have that "cat-pee" smell...especially in a more enclosed space. It totally doesn't bother some people...but I know a lot who really don't like it. I like the idea of a "platform" deck...just as a separate area...it will divide the space. I admit, I do prefer the less formal design...I always feel slightly alienated in very formal gardens (especially with a lot of hardscaping). I feel more like I'm in a museum, rather than a garden. Also, anytime you depend on a group of evenly-spaced, equal-sized plants you run the risk of the whole design falling apart if one of those plants doesn't quite keep up or (heaven forbid) dies...leaving a gaping hole in the design. Just my 2 cents...can't wait to see what you come up with, if your previous garden is any indicator, it will be fabulous!scottweberpdxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740930947767329183noreply@blogger.com