Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Evolution: From Dream to Reality

The evolution from dream to reality takes work.  But before that, it takes planning.  And before that it takes an idea!

I have an area in my garden that has not been utilized for 10 years.  I just never go to that side of the house!  Simple enough.  Except, I wanted a garden there.  Something big.  Something spectacular.  Something that would entice me to that side.  Something, of course, with roses.

At first I thought of a walkway lined with rose-covered arbors.  I really tried to make it fit in that space.  But, somehow, it just didn't work.  Back to the drawing board.

Then, you may recall, we slew the dragon, and the gazebo landed back there.  Now, I had another problem.  How to fit the gazebo into the design, or tell Mr. Holleygarden to move it - again.  Easier to figure out how to fit it into the design!

That's when I saw Christina of organicgardendreams' post on Hyde Park.  There, roses are trained to climb wooden poles.  The poles have a chain or rope swaged between each pole.  Eventually, the roses will cover the poles and the chains, for a seamless swag of roses.  A caternary!  I immediately wanted one.  Hmmm... how to fit it in?  Can you see how the idea evolved?

Finally, I decided.  A caternary behind the gazebo!

Thus, begins the evolution from dream to reality:

Start with some posts

Dig some holes

You didn't think I was digging these by hand, did you?

Holes done!  Looks like the work of a big gopher, doesn't it?

In go the poles.  Don't worry - I'll straighten them up.
And please ignore all the mess.  This is a work in progress!

There we go - all straight!

Some may think this is a little too dramatic.  A little too over the top.  But I don't.  I think a caternary would even fit nicely in a corner of a suburban lot.  Or on one side (or both!) of a walkway.  Anywhere you want some vertical interest.  That's what I wanted - vertical interest.

Eventually, it will be a wall of roses behind the gazebo.

It takes some imagination to see what will evolve from here.  Next step requires someone (not me!) to get on a ladder with a chainsaw to level off the top of the posts. Then chains will be added (my job).  And roses.  And, I know, even after that, there is probably another year's (or two) worth of work to complete.  A walkway leading up to the gazebo.  Flowers lining the walkway.  And, upon request of Mr. Holleygarden, a way for the tractor to be able to drive around in there!  Imagine it for a moment.  Can you see it?  I can.

We've evolved from dream to reality.  Now the evolution from reality toward the dream begins.

I'm linking up with GardenWalk GardenTalk's Word for Wednesday meme on evolution.  But I want to know.  What do you think?  Do you just see a mess - or can you see the dream?  Too over the top for you?  Or just what the space needed?  Don't be afraid to say - I don't bite!  You may even have a suggestion I can use.

47 comments:

  1. Big dreams, big plans and big progress. I see abundance of roses with birds chirping and bees buzzing. I might just want to join them there.

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  2. Oh my that is really grand, as in grand! You have a big area so you can very well execute your dreams. I can perfectly visualize it with you and i can even smell the roses. Maybe some people will even want to have their vows in the gazebo. What plants will you plant at the gazebo's post? I can imagine that later the area around it will also be landscaped well. I can't wait to see the photos of its evolution.

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  3. Wow! That's one of the biggest garden projects I've ever seen on a garden blog. My hats off to you. What do I see? I see lots of land! My goodness, I wish I had more of the stuff. I think those flowers will love climbing all over your creations. Can't wait to see what it's like a year or two from now. The smell of roses on that gazebo will be heavenly.
    David/ :-)

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  4. Holley, I am so in AWE of this project. The caternary is amazing....I can definitely see the dream! Vertical interest intrigues me no end. I so hope you post about all the details of this project, it's going to be absolutely fantastic. It already has the feel of Stonehenge about it, mystical and lyrical.

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  5. HolleyGarden, I love how a single photo can spark a grand plan. I admire the swagged roses I've seen along with the patience and diligence it must take to train the roses correctly for their beauty to shine forth. Having gotten this far (great job you've done and great husband you have), I'm positive you will go the distance. I do hope you will have regular blogs on the progress of the roses. I need pointers on exactly this situation. I need to move Clotilde Soupert, Cl to a post, and she'll have to go up and then sideways like yours. I'm sort of chicken to move her yet since I have not shown much aptitude for this type of training heretofor. BTW, you definitely created a magnet for that side of the house! Great post.

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  6. Holley, I've wanted a pergola in my backyard for almost as long I've had my house, but couldn't afford it. As an alternative I put up shade sails on five wooden redwood posts and have been trying to decide what plant I wanted to climb up them. I might have to have my own caternary. I would kill the roses so I'll need to think of an alternative.:)

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  7. Holley, I think your design is over the top in the very best sense! The way I imagine it to look when the roses have matured is that it will be a jaw dropping sight of beauty. Congratulation to being brave and doing something unusual. I can't wait to see the progress of this project. Thanks for mentioning my post about the Rose Garden at Hyde Park and linking to it.
    Christina

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  8. Cool! I for the life of me could not figure it out till I saw the Hyde Park post, then I went, Oh..interesting. Lady Banksia would certainly cover those posts in short order! But Climbing Pinkie would be gorgeous :-) Are you planning to put finials on the top of the posts? Where in the world do you live the Metroplex with that much land??? You needed something with this kind of scale with that much property. Looking forward to progress reports :-)

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  9. Wow, so much land to work on which is like a big piece of empty canvas for an artist's masterpiece. The pergola looks very nice even when bare, so I can visualise how lovely it will be when all covered with scented roses. Good luck!

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  10. Oh wow, what a grand looking project! Glad to hear you've had your Eureka moment and your idea is now turning to reality :) Looking forward to it's progress!

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  11. I see a future area that will be beautiful. Lovely ideas for the future.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  12. I can hardly wait to see the final results. This is a wonderful project.

    FlowerLady

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  13. This sounds amazing. Can hardly wait to see this project "evolve".

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  14. That is a big space that requires something dramatic and I think you hit on it. I cannot wait for the chains and roses. Once you have the roses in, then the path with beds and flowers will flow...it will draw you and other to that side of the house perhaps there may be some entertaining there...oh I can see the dream!!

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  15. Your dream is coming along nicely with all your planning and hard work. I think it will be truly amazing when it is finished. It looks like you have balance in height with the Ponderosa Pine in the far background. It takes big structures to compete with those babies (if that is what they are). And the roses when growing, will be sunning. Thanks for playing along Holley.

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  16. Cool - I think it will be spectactular and worth the work! My only suggestion is to add a bench so you'll be able to sit and enjoy the scents and beauty! : )

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  17. Greggo - You always make me laugh! Yes, we do think big in Texas!

    One - Thanks for including the birds and the bees. I had forgotten to put them in my vision. Now they're there.

    Andrea - I hadn't thought about weddings there. But, I do want to put a white climbing rose at the bottom of each post. I'm trying to make this garden with mostly whites (I say mostly, because I can never stick to a color scheme!).

    David - I do have a large area to landscape. And I have a few more projects after this one. Then, hopefully, I'll be able to maintain it all! It will take a couple of years for the roses to grow big enough to make an impact. That's the hardest part of gardening - the waiting.

    Karen - That means a lot coming from you, the Queen of big projects! This will be the first time I've ventured into vertical interest. But it's been intriguing me for some time now.

    sherry - I knew it had to be a big something to get me to go to that side! It has been just a neglected pasture for so long. I have never seen this done in real life, just pictures, so I doubt I'm going to be the expert on training roses correctly, but I learn best by trial and error. And I've never been afraid to attempt something.

    Girl Sprout - Oh, your shade sails sound fabulous! I bet they bring a lot of fun and color to the garden. You could always put honeysuckle, trumpet vine, or moon flower vine on the posts. I'm certain you'll come up with the perfect idea.

    Christina - When I saw your post, I immediately knew this was my answer. An walk of rose covered arbors just didn't fit, but this one-sided concept was perfect. And much less cost involved, too!

    Toni - Glad you went to the Hyde Park post. I tried to explain it, but without the end result, it is hard to imagine. I'm wanting a white rose, and am considering LaMarque or Sombreuil, but am open to anything right now. I live outside the city. This is the biggest project I've ever embarked upon. It's going to be a lot of work, but hopefully worth it!

    Autumn Belle - An empty canvas - yes. And sometimes those are the hardest. I hope it eventually looks like the vision in my head. At least I've started, which is a big step!

    Mark and Gaz - I think this project is comparable to your big pond project! A lot of work involved, but onward to the goal!

    Cher - Thank you. As parts of my garden start to mature, the future doesn't seem as far away as when everything was tiny. I now know that plants grow, and things can work out as envisioned.

    FlowerLady - Thanks. I can't hardly wait to see the final results, either!

    Heather - An evolution is so correct. There are a lot of different parts to this one big project. I have to remember to just keep working!

    Donna - I think putting up the chains will make a big difference, even without the roses. But yes, the path will be a very big part of it too. That's something I'm still working on in my mind. Most people do projects that are all 'complete' in their planning, but I do it step by step. It's easier to envision that way for me.

    GWGT - I appreciate and value your opinion. I think the scale may have been why I've never tackled this side before. The pines are, I believe, Loblolly, so they will only get taller! They are the reason I was so concerned about the drought this summer. I couldn't imagine having all those beautiful trees dead.

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  18. charlie b - Yes, I will add a bench, or two! And I definitely want fragrant roses there!

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  19. That is going to be magnificent. It is amazing what a bit of vertical can do for a garden.

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  20. This is so beautiful even in its current stage. I am really looking forward to seeing the final product. I love the idea and the roses will make such a beautiful border.

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  21. How exciting. I have always admired swags of roses but only seen them on ropes never chains. I am looking forward to seeing how it will evolve

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  22. Its gonna be great! It will have a wow factor for years to come. So much fun (and work) planning and planting too, but will be worth it.

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  23. Tufa Girl - I think I'm really going to like the vertical element. It will be fun to be 'surrounded' by roses!

    Sage Butterfly - I am looking forward to seeing the final product, too! :) I hope it doesn't take too long!

    patientgardener - I decided chains would be easier for me to work with (and last longer) than ropes. At least, I think they will!

    Kelli - I think the hard work will pay off in the long run. If it works out like I imagine it, it will be a fun area to go to.

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  24. This looks like a fantastic project - and you really have the space to pull it off! The ones in Hyde Park really are gorgeous... looking forward to pictures as yours develops!

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  25. It looks great! I can't believe it was a DIY project, it looks really professional. I can't wait to see the blooms.

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  26. Oh my gosh! Now that is a project! And an evolution! It will be fun to see it evolve over time. Cheers!

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  27. had to look uo catenary! The verticals are not OTT because of the woodland backdrop. Look forward to watching this evolve Holley - not only Hyde Park but also Regent's Park Queen Marys Rose Garden has these. Here is the link for a panorama
    http://panoramicearth.com/88/London/Regents_Park_-_Rose_Gardens_in_Queen_Mary%27s_Gardens

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  28. Courtyard Gardener - The ones in Hyde Park are very nice. I can only hope mine will look half as good!

    Masha - Thanks. It helps to have a perfectionist husband!

    PlantPostings - I think it will be fun to see it evolving, too. It will take several years for the roses to fill in. That will give me time, perhaps, to complete the rest of the area!

    PatioPatch - Thanks for the link. Regents Park looks gorgeous. Love their double swags!

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  29. Oooh, I think I can see it in my mind's eye. I can't wait to see the finished result though. You're going to be busy in spring with rose and flower planting I can see!

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  30. Great to see the process behind creating your new garden space. I like how a blog post sparked an idea for you.

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  31. Curbstone Valley - I'm so glad you can 'see' it! I am going to be very busy - for a long time!

    Marguertie - Isn't it wonderful how we bloggers motivate and inspire each other?

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  32. Wow, what a big project! I look forward to seeing what it looks like with roses climbing the poles. I am not good at visualizing things, but it looks impressive as is.

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  33. Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
    It is rewarding when a dream or vision becomes a reality, isn't it? Like Marguerite I think it is neat that a blogpost was the germ of an idea.

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  34. Every grand scheme starts with 'first dig a hole' or two or several.

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  35. What a great start!! I can't wait to watch the progress. I absolutely love the idea of the roses growing along the chains.

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  36. Corner Gardener Sue - I am anxious to see it finished, too. I hope it works out like in my mind's eye.

    Jennifer - It was exciting to finally get it started. I've been dreaming of this area for some time.

    Seedscatterer - hahahaha! So true!

    Erin - I can hardly wait myself! Although, I know it will take a few years for the roses to grow that large.

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  37. I first saw this idea in England while we were on a garden tour, and I thought it was the coolest way to grow roses. I know yours is should look great.

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  38. Les - How wonderful to have seen roses growing this way. I've only seen pictures, but hope I can pull it off. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  39. Good heavens, Holley. I leave the blogosphere for a week's vacation, and all this excitement happens! Your idea really sounds fabulous. The caternary (what a great word) sounds beautiful all by itself, but also as a way to accomplish all the things you need in that area, right down to leaving room for the tractor. I've seen photos of roses growing this way in a French garden, and they were so beautiful--just the right combination of structure and softness.

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  40. Stacy - Thanks for the encouraging words. Structure and softness - love the way you put that. I agree, structure and softness is a winning combination!

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  41. I see the Dream!!! Cant wait to see it covered in roses!!

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  42. GardeningBlog - :) That makes me happy that you can see my vision!

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  43. OMG!!! That is freakin' amazing. You are my hero!

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  44. Houston Garden Girl - I don't know if it's amazing now, but hopefully it will be when it's completed. Not sure when that will be.....

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  45. Had to check out your caternary - because I didn't even know what that was! It is going to be mind-blowingly awesome someday. Can't wait for you to share pictures with us!

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    1. The key word is: someday. I am making very slow progress. But someday I think it will be beautiful. At least, I hope so!

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