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.

Abraham Darby rose in the Japanese garden

This is an English rose bred by David Austin.  It is 90 deg as I shoot this and the bloom is opening as I sketch.  The colors are more saturated than usual probably because it is only the 2nd rose to open this season.  It has a really strong fragrance.  It is one of my favorite roses in my garden

Wisteria blooming in the Japanese garden

I didn't think I was going to get wisteria blooms this year but this morning I found a little purple shining through the arbor.  It was a great surprise.  As I sat sketching this bloom the air was filled with a wonderful fragrance.  It made my day.

Flowers in the garden

pink jasmine, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

The pink jasmine is cascading down the arch in my garden and the perfume is marvelous.

Nuccio's Jewel camellia

These lovely blooms fell to the ground yesterday and I just couldn't let them go unnoticed.  They are a beautiful double camellia which makes them challenging to sketch but lovely to look at