Thoughtful Gardenening
Wedding Gift
August 18, 2007
The little mosaic flower pots are weatherproof, and can be used outside on a deck or balcony. The sanded grout contains portland cement, and the adhesive made for outdoor use. Inside or out, the new couple will always have bright spot in their garden, no matter where they go.
Flowers, gardens, and botanical studies have long been a favorite subject for artists, and many have created their own garden space for work, as well as pleasure. Renoir and Cezanne had beautiful gardens, and Monet, a most spectacular garden.
Artists are often cash poor when it comes to their supplies, and their gardens are no exception. So how did painters like Monet ever develop such magnificent gardens? They started small. Monet rented the house at Giverny for seven years before he was able to purchase the property and make it his own.
Monet also owned several blue and white flower pots, which he took with him everywhere he lived. The bold colors of the pots added a striking contrast in the garden. Useful as focal points, they also served as a reminder that no matter where he made his address, he was always home.
The original garden at Giverny wasn’t exactly lacking in color. Fruit trees are often pruned for maximum sun penetration, giving interesting forms to the trees. They are magnificent in the spring when covered with tiny blossoms, and fall foliage is often quite colorful.
Fruit trees and ornamentals provide natural vertical elements in the garden. In addition to tree ripened fruit, they attract both butterflies and birds. We added two crepe myrtles this year, which are attracting more goldfinch than butterflies, but they’re just as pretty! Crepe Myrtle bloom all summer, and are capable of enduring the unbearable heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic region. Don’t overlook these little gems when planning your garden oasis.
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.
Vertical elements are important to garden design. Visually, they break up “dead” space, give the eye a path to travel, and provide screening of unsightly elements. Pay no attention to that man behind the bush…
We’d love to have a water garden like Monet’s, but the neighbors would have to move and take their brick house with them. Adding a home made fountain would be much more practical, as well as neighborly. A small outdoor fountain would provide a water source for butterflies, birds, and of course, the bees. Want something smaller? Make a table top fountain! Looking for something a little more elegant? Try this one.
Garden design is really quite similar to planning a painting. Color, contrast, and focal points are important to both. It’s no wonder artists have the best gardens!
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What a great post Lisa! Those trees are beautiful, the colour on the pink one is especially striking…I may have to think about adding one to my garden next year!
I love your pastel piece from the previous post as well. Are we going to be seeing more botanical and landscape work from you?
You’ll probably be seeing more of it for a while. Monet’s garden path is leading me to some weird places, like the vision problems encountered by so many notable artists.
Renoir and Manet are on my to-do list, and so is Degas. Expect some figures when I get to Degas, although I may have them dancing with the can-can girls from the Moulin Rouge.
Once I complete my tour de France, I’ll be off to another country. Ain’t travel grand?