Zen garden face lift.

face lift, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

It has been a week of unbelievable weather in Southern California. Great for gardening. I got the urge to open up the look of my back yard Zen garden and transplant my favorite roses that have covered the arbor for 8 years. I had given up the idea of having roses when I move to Denver until I visited the Botanical Gardens there and saw that many of my roses were thriving there. So in the attempt to give my garden a new look I also snuck the roses out. This was no easy task since these climbers and major canes and major roots. I pruned them way back and then transplanted them into huge pots. Then I rearranged the furniture a bit. I prefer the intimacy of the previous look but this does look bigger and more open. In the process my local hummingbirds were furious. I had to remind them frequently that I was the one who provided them with food and not to dive bomb me every minute. What do you think of my new space compared to the old?

Welcome to my Zen garden!

copper fountain, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

This is my back yard. I decided to turn it into a Zen garden after visiting the Japanese Gardens in the Huntington Library and Gardens and because my yard is very narrow. (8 ft. by 40 ft.) It is also where Sophie hangs out all day when I am gone. I want it to be peaceful for both me and her and anyone else who enters. There are certain elements to a Zen garden: Vertical elements like rocks, trees and fountains point upwards toward the sky and thus represent air. Horizontal elements such as moss and flat rocks represent the earth. Fountains and rivers or creeks obviously represent water and there we have the basic elements of life. You will always find a Japanese maple in a Zen garden and often camellias. The blossom of a camellia drops to the ground while the bloom is full reminding us that life can end any time and that sometimes it can be cut short. I also have fruit trees: a peach and 2 apples. You can see one of the apple trees espaliered against the fence. Both have fed me well this summer. The garden is small but so peaceful to be in at the end of the day or just to lunch in. Sophie is a lucky dog to spend time alone here. I hope you, too, enjoy your visit.

rock creek

rock creek, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

The creek runs down the length of the garden to end under the peach tree. Kate will say, " I see a little house down there!"

Apple blossom in the Zen garden

The first blossoms on the "Anna" apple tree have started to open.  This tree is espaliered against the back fence for maximum sun exposure in a minimal space.  I hope this will become a yummy apple in about 6 months.