The 'Path'


"At the end of the 'landscaping' section, they had shoveled in all the dirt and created the shape of the beds. Next, they wanted to install the home-made bridge. (See the Big Pond for how it was made!) First, they had to decide where they wanted the bridge. It seemed logical that there should be a dry streambed that ran from the back of the big bog out into the woods. This could be used for overflow from the pond during monsoon rains or hurricanes."	This was the perfect place to put the bridge! But first, we had create a streambed so that we actually 'needed' a bridge! The trench was dug over 4 feet deep and 6 feet wide. We used a piece of plastic fencing to hold the dirt up and to make a good anchor for the rocks. Then lined the whole length of the trench with heavy rocks. After 2 years of weathering - not one rock has moved!	"After the bridge was in place, the humans laid the stepping stones. The stones started from the edge of the patio, led along the back of the Koi pond, then along the fence line and back to the patio around the far side of the Goldfish Pond. Some stepping stones were so big they required Mike's tractor to lift, and the rest were muscled in by Mike and Karen. Then Karen went tree hunting. In retrospect, perhaps they did this in the wrong order!"	Karen bought a rather large Weeping Beech that would be the focal point for the beds behind the pond. A VERY large beech. It was so big, that it didn't fit into the 'ball cart' that we had rented to move it. There was no way the 1000 lb.+ tree was going to be muscled over the stepping stones, and it sure couldn't fit over the bridge! Sooo... We then covered up all the stepping stones in MULCH to give us a smoother path. Here, the stepping stones are mostly covered.


Mike tried to figure out how we were going to get this 'thing' off the trailer. As you can see - it was a bit bigger than he was. We ended up attaching a come-along cable and winching it off the trailer to keep it from squashing Mike.	The winching system worked so well, we decide to use it to move the tree. It had to go to the left side of the goldfish pond, all along the back of both ponds, and into the corner. We laid plywood over the mulch which covered the stepping stones to give us a smooth surface. Then, Lenny helped Karen and Mike winch the tree, inch by inch, along the path.	"Luckily, Rocco showed up just after the last picture was taken. The problem was that the tree had to go up a small incline into it's bed. They used every tree along the way to attach the come-along, and slowly it moved. With Rocco, Lenny Mike and Karen all struggling, the tree was maneuvered into it's bed."	The entire process, from unloading from the truck, mulching the stones, and finally moving the tree took nearly 6 hours and 4 people. We were all exhausted! Thank goodness the tree didn't have the added weight of the leaves! The gorgeous purple leaves came out 2 weeks later, and the tree looked particularly beautiful. It is spectacular in winter and summer! Here it is - finally - planted!


OK! The tree is in, the stepping stones have been uncovered and the mulch spread into the beds. Next, the entire path and surrounding beds were planted. We will walk along the path from one end to the other.	Standing on the patio, you can see the first 3 stepping-stones before the bridge, and a big rock and it's bed of Primula.	Close-up of the Primula. This one is a double-flowered short variety. All the plants came from Sunny Borders Nursery. The Primulas come in lots of pleasing colors that all look great together. The bed is nearly solid with plants now!	"As you walk along the path, you must take some time because the stones are a bit uneven. That is part of the charm. The path is to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with beautiful vignettes appearing at every step."


Just before the bridge, there are sedges to the left, and then a large stand of a rare, landscape miniature Iris on the right.	The Iris form a purple carpet in the spring before and just after the bridge on the right.	From the top of the bridge, you can see the newly planted bed of Miniature DayLily on the left just before the bed slopes up to the BioReactor.	Here we see the path in summer with the waterfall running, and the plants in their glory.


The BioReactor was completely surrounded by a dirt bed, held up with several large rocks. The first thing we planted were 3 rare Japanese Hemlock that have a windswept appearance and are very gnarly. These are at the top of the bed, and overhang the top of the waterfall.	"The goal of the planting was to have something in flower from the first of spring to the last of fall in a woodland setting. The plants had to be able to survive the harsh winters, not take over large areas, and thrive in low-light situations as well as require very little water! Quite a list!"	To the left of the Japanese Hemlocks, Karen planted a rare pink flowering Chaenomales or Flowering Quince. The small shrub makes a perfect transition between the Daylilys below, the Astilbe bed surrounding the BioReactor and the Hemlocks. It overhangs the waterfall's right side, and is spectacular when in bloom!	Here, the BioReactor bed is fully planted with Astilbe. The bed is in complete shade, yet they flower extravagantly! The Astilbe are mid-sized and bloom in all shades of pink. They run from extra early blooms to extra late blooms, so something in the bed is in flower for well over a month!


"The entire path is also lit with fun landscape lighting. Some of the 'liquid silver' rocks have lights that show their texture and shine. Some of the path is lit with copper 'Mushrooms', and the beds are lit with Japanese-looking square lanterns. There are also 2 granite pillar path lights, and the large granite Japanese 'Snow' lantern. Some lights throw shadows of bamboo or interesting plant structures onto the rocks!"	On the opposite side of the path from the BioReactor is a lovely stand of Tiarella. They bloom for nearly a month, and have delicate brush like white flowers that sway in a light breeze. Their maple-leafed foliage is variegated and very beautiful even when the plants are not in bloom.	You can see the BioReactor on the left, and the Weeping Beech in the center, top. Along the right of the path all along this corner are gorgeous pink Bergenias that bloom in profusion for a very long time!	The same pic in late summer. The Astilbes and Bergenia are finished blooming for the year, but the texture of the foliage is a delight!


Closeup of the Bergenia 'Rosi Klose'.	As we round the corner, we can see the path meandering off to the Quarantine tank just behind the trees in the upper left.	The path narrows ahead. There are more Bergenia on the right, and ferns and Tradescantia on the left.	A nearly identical view in the summer, with the 'Snow' Lantern on the left. Just to the right of the lantern is the stone wall surrounding the Quarantine tank.


Here the 'Snow' lantern is framed by 2 of the maple trees. On the right, out of the picture, is a bed of Kirengeshoma.	"Most of the garden is supplied by drip irrigation. The water comes from a mid-level intake from the pond, and is then filtered and pumped through the irrigation system. The pond water contains nitrates from us fish for natural fertilizer!"	A big stand of Brunnera or "Forget Me Knot' around a sprinkler head. This is the variegated variety, and it provides a bright focal point even without the wonderful blue blooms.	Close up of Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata.'


Standing next to the Quarantine tank, the lid for the vortex is in the left bottom corner, and you can faintly see the stepping stones that go between the Koi pond and the Goldfish pond.	We continue down the path on the backside of the goldfish pond. A Weeping Hemlock is surrounded by Painted Lady Ferns and small Astilbe on the left. The bed also has purple Tricyrtis for fall bloom, and Ajuga for the spring.	This bed is to the right of the path just outside the previous photo as the path curves back to the patio. The bed has just been planted with Chrysogonum 'Pierre', and has bright star-like yellow flowers all summer! Tall ferns surround the rocks on the upper right.	"All the water that is taken from the pond for irrigation is automatically refilled, and serves as the pond's water changes. This way, doing water changes for the pond did not increase the load on the well at all!"


"With a pond this big, the water changes need only be about 10% per week. The plan is for a total of less than 20 large fish - someday! There will never be a big load on the filtration! Right now it would be nice if there were ANY fish in the pond!"	As we round the corner from behind the small pond, we switch directions! The camera is not shooting toward the patio any more, but FROM the patio into the corner with the bed of Chrysogonum.	The bed on the left of the path in the previous picture contains a myriad of viola and columbine. They are just terrific in the spring. The colors naturally complement each other!	At the corner between the greenhouse and the house is a life size potted bonsai - a Cloud-Pruned Hinoke Cypress. This tree has been one of Karen's projects for about 6 years, and is just about ready to be wired so the branches hold the clumps of foliage at more pleasing angles.


The connecting path between the two ponds. This picture is taken from the back of the ponds going towards the patio.	"It takes some trimming and staking to be sure the path between the ponds is not so overgrown that the humans can't walk there!"	The small goldfish pond in the spring. Plants are just emerging, and the Grape Hyacinth is blooming.	Close up of the Grape Hyacinth around the 'meditation rock.' This rock features huge chucks of mica!


Taken from the edge of the patio. Just to the right is the Koi pond. The plants are just beginning to emerge in the goldfish pond.	A good view of one of the Japanese granite path lights at the corner of the goldfish pond. The spring bulbs are blooming!	"The granite path lights and the 'Snow Lantern' help to anchor the landscaping. The path lights are just over 2' high, and the lantern is just over 4'! It needs to be that big to stay in scale with the rock work."	Shot from the corner of the little pond across the Koi pond right before it was plastered.


"If the landscape planting is done right, the beauty of the winter textures and forms makes up for the lack of summer greenery. The garden must have artistic beauty in all seasons!"	The Cloud-Pruned Hinoke in the snow.	The Weeping Hemlock in the snow.	"That's all for now! Hopefully, all of us poor fish (from the original Big Pond) that have waited for 3 years in the basement will get to enjoy a fabulous home in 2004!"

Mike tried to figure out how we were going to get this 'thing' off the trailer. As you can see - it was a bit bigger than he was. We ended up attaching a come-along cable and winching it off the trailer to keep it from squashing Mike.

OK! The tree is in, the stepping stones have been uncovered and the mulch spread into the beds. Next, the entire path and surrounding beds were planted. We will walk along the path from one end to the other.

Standing on the patio, you can see the first 3 stepping-stones before the bridge, and a big rock and it's bed of Primula.

Close-up of the Primula. This one is a double-flowered short variety. All the plants came from Sunny Borders Nursery. The Primulas come in lots of pleasing colors that all look great together. The bed is nearly solid with plants now!

"As you walk along the path, you must take some time because the stones are a bit uneven. That is part of the charm. The path is to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with beautiful vignettes appearing at every step."

Just before the bridge, there are sedges to the left, and then a large stand of a rare, landscape miniature Iris on the right.

The Iris form a purple carpet in the spring before and just after the bridge on the right.

From the top of the bridge, you can see the newly planted bed of Miniature DayLily on the left just before the bed slopes up to the BioReactor.

Here we see the path in summer with the waterfall running, and the plants in their glory.

The BioReactor was completely surrounded by a dirt bed, held up with several large rocks. The first thing we planted were 3 rare Japanese Hemlock that have a windswept appearance and are very gnarly. These are at the top of the bed, and overhang the top of the waterfall.

"The goal of the planting was to have something in flower from the first of spring to the last of fall in a woodland setting. The plants had to be able to survive the harsh winters, not take over large areas, and thrive in low-light situations as well as require very little water! Quite a list!"

Here, the BioReactor bed is fully planted with Astilbe. The bed is in complete shade, yet they flower extravagantly! The Astilbe are mid-sized and bloom in all shades of pink. They run from extra early blooms to extra late blooms, so something in the bed is in flower for well over a month!

On the opposite side of the path from the BioReactor is a lovely stand of Tiarella. They bloom for nearly a month, and have delicate brush like white flowers that sway in a light breeze. Their maple-leafed foliage is variegated and very beautiful even when the plants are not in bloom.

You can see the BioReactor on the left, and the Weeping Beech in the center, top. Along the right of the path all along this corner are gorgeous pink Bergenias that bloom in profusion for a very long time!

The same pic in late summer. The Astilbes and Bergenia are finished blooming for the year, but the texture of the foliage is a delight!

Closeup of the Bergenia 'Rosi Klose'.

As we round the corner, we can see the path meandering off to the Quarantine tank just behind the trees in the upper left.

The path narrows ahead. There are more Bergenia on the right, and ferns and Tradescantia on the left.

A nearly identical view in the summer, with the 'Snow' Lantern on the left. Just to the right of the lantern is the stone wall surrounding the Quarantine tank.

Here the 'Snow' lantern is framed by 2 of the maple trees. On the right, out of the picture, is a bed of Kirengeshoma.

"Most of the garden is supplied by drip irrigation. The water comes from a mid-level intake from the pond, and is then filtered and pumped through the irrigation system. The pond water contains nitrates from us fish for natural fertilizer!"

A big stand of Brunnera or "Forget Me Knot' around a sprinkler head. This is the variegated variety, and it provides a bright focal point even without the wonderful blue blooms.

Close up of Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata.'

Standing next to the Quarantine tank, the lid for the vortex is in the left bottom corner, and you can faintly see the stepping stones that go between the Koi pond and the Goldfish pond.

We continue down the path on the backside of the goldfish pond. A Weeping Hemlock is surrounded by Painted Lady Ferns and small Astilbe on the left. The bed also has purple Tricyrtis for fall bloom, and Ajuga for the spring.

This bed is to the right of the path just outside the previous photo as the path curves back to the patio. The bed has just been planted with Chrysogonum 'Pierre', and has bright star-like yellow flowers all summer! Tall ferns surround the rocks on the upper right.

"All the water that is taken from the pond for irrigation is automatically refilled, and serves as the pond's water changes. This way, doing water changes for the pond did not increase the load on the well at all!"

"With a pond this big, the water changes need only be about 10% per week. The plan is for a total of less than 20 large fish - someday! There will never be a big load on the filtration! Right now it would be nice if there were ANY fish in the pond!"

As we round the corner from behind the small pond, we switch directions! The camera is not shooting toward the patio any more, but FROM the patio into the corner with the bed of Chrysogonum.

The bed on the left of the path in the previous picture contains a myriad of viola and columbine. They are just terrific in the spring. The colors naturally complement each other!

At the corner between the greenhouse and the house is a life size potted bonsai - a Cloud-Pruned Hinoke Cypress. This tree has been one of Karen's projects for about 6 years, and is just about ready to be wired so the branches hold the clumps of foliage at more pleasing angles.

The connecting path between the two ponds. This picture is taken from the back of the ponds going towards the patio.

"It takes some trimming and staking to be sure the path between the ponds is not so overgrown that the humans can't walk there!"

The small goldfish pond in the spring. Plants are just emerging, and the Grape Hyacinth is blooming.

Close up of the Grape Hyacinth around the 'meditation rock.' This rock features huge chucks of mica!

Taken from the edge of the patio. Just to the right is the Koi pond. The plants are just beginning to emerge in the goldfish pond.

A good view of one of the Japanese granite path lights at the corner of the goldfish pond. The spring bulbs are blooming!

"The granite path lights and the 'Snow Lantern' help to anchor the landscaping. The path lights are just over 2' high, and the lantern is just over 4'! It needs to be that big to stay in scale with the rock work."

Shot from the corner of the little pond across the Koi pond right before it was plastered.

"If the landscape planting is done right, the beauty of the winter textures and forms makes up for the lack of summer greenery. The garden must have artistic beauty in all seasons!"

The Cloud-Pruned Hinoke in the snow.

The Weeping Hemlock in the snow.

"That's all for now! Hopefully, all of us poor fish (from the original Big Pond) that have waited for 3 years in the basement will get to enjoy a fabulous home in 2004!"