This is what I worked on:
Crikey! I'm rather embarrassed to reveal it to you. What you're seeing is a tree– or rather, what's left of a tree– that takes up most of our front yard. It's not pleasant to look at, but Kym won't let me remove it since it casts much-needed shade over our bedroom and removing it isn't worth the expense or effort involved. Though he has a point, I'm struggling to explain to visitors why it appears like that. I suspect it was once a beautiful wattle, but nowadays it's just a trunk with several determined branches reaching upward.
This morning I chose to quit scowling at it from the other side of the yard and take action. So, I trimmed the smaller limbs and cleared the untidy lower section, then positioned some potted succulents round the base. I reckon I'm on the right track. Though it's still a work in progress (I now have ambitious ideas to gather more succulents to arrange near the tree) I reckon it's substantially better, wouldn't you agree?
(Please disregard the heaps of branches scattered in front and behind the tree, I lost interest once it came time to tidy up)
Kym completed the excavations I had begun a couple of months earlier and set up our new planter boxes around the back yard. More blogs will follow about these as we intend to convert them into vegetable gardens. We sourced the frames from this supplier.
I'd like to share some thoughts on your damaged seat. That spot in the garden seems promising for a creative project. Your first concept—planting lavender beneath it so the flowers bloom through the seat opening (allowing you to name her Lady Lavender)—is quite charming. Alternatively, converting it into a bird bath would be equally delightful. Perhaps you could consider other options: a quirky planter for trailing flowers, a decorative piece for outdoor entertaining, or even a rustic side table for garden tools. What appeals most to your garden's aesthetic?
Kate xxx
