We were very fortunate to have found a home and garden that needed very little. However there were a few changes that we wanted to make inside and out to make the home and garden our own. We have lived here nearly a year, so we are gradually making a few changes. Let’s chat about How to Edit an Existing Garden Without Ruining Its bones.
Before making any changes “take into consideration the garden’s present conditions (light, moisture level, soil)” Figure out which plants are thriving and where.
To be honest I haven’t taken too many pictures of this area because I wasn’t really happy with it. The former owners favored modern roses of which I am not a fan. I prefer roses that are not only pretty in the vase but pretty in the landscape. In my former garden I only used organic fertilizers. Most modern roses require spraying and non organic pest controls to keep them thriving. I knew when we moved here that those roses were going to go. Before editing the area I wanted to see how all of the existing plantings were doing, which ones thrived and which not so much before making any changes.
REAL ESTATE PHOTO OF AREA
This area housed some raised beds where the former owners had perennials and tomatoes. Underneath the raised beds were gray pebbles that didn’t really match any of the other paths and stone. It was surrounded by table grapes on two sides. The other side had an iceberg (one modern rose that I love) hedge along the pool and in front of the hedge and a plethora of hybrid tees in various colors.
HOW TO EDIT AN EXISTING GARDEN
Our task was to define the area, take out the gravel and replace with DG that matched the rest of the pathways, tear out the existing hybrid teas and provide some structure to the raised beds.
My brother in law in his retirement is building these beautiful copper rose arbors. You can find all of his products in his Etsy shop here. They are wonderful.
On either side of the beautiful arbor we planted Crown Princess Margereta. You can purchase here on Amazon, or on the David Austin website here.
ROSE SELECTIONS FOR INSIDE GARDEN AREA
These are the roses I selected as replacements for the existing hybrid tea roses. The colors compliment the colors of the house and hardscapes. You can find all of the roses below on David Austin’s website here, or on Amazon here.
AERIAL VIEW BACK GARDEN AREA
Here is an aerial view of the entire back garden area. This will give you a perspective of the areas we are working on. You can see the gravel in the rose garden area that didn’t match the rest of the DG.
If you look at the photo above, you can see the large open DG area (see arrow). Here we placed the fountain from our former fixer upper garden. You can read about that in the post Backyard Town Garden Design here, and Before and After Backyard Transformation. The iceberg roses are not yet blooming, and the trees have barely leafed out. It will be much prettier once Spring has really sprung.
If you look at the aerial photo above again you can see there was another open DG area that you can barely see peeking through the grapes. Here we placed the windmill built by our friend Jim (now deceased). We can see both the windmill and the fountain from the pool area.
This is a view last summer of the rose/kitchen garden from the pool area last summer when everything was in bloom.
You can read more about the pool area patio space in these posts: How to Select a Harmonious Color Palette for a Pool area, How to Achieve a Collected Look on Your Patio, and How to Make the Most of Your Patio Space. I will post updates as everthing begins to bloom.
If you are looking for unique arbors to compliment your garden check out my brotherr-in-law’s copper trellis store on Etsy. He makes numerous sizes, including smaller ones that can be placed in large planters. Here are a couple of pictures of his trellis’ in his own yard.
Remember when you are considering any changes to a current garden make sure the hardscapes coordinate with each other. See the stone and concrete area above and how the DG areas compliment it. If you live in California you should plant low water use plants together, and the higher water use plants together as well. There were a few roses scattered around in other areas of the back amongst low water plants. We have torn them out and will readjust the drip irrigation as needed.
FURTHER READING:
HORTICULTURE MAGAZINE-TIPS FOR EDITING AN EXISTING GARDEN
Thank you for reading How to Edit an Existing Garden Without Ruining it’s Bones. I will post prettier pictures as Spring progresses.
Cindy, thank you for this post. I am in Georgia and have been frustrated with Tea Roses. I am going to try one of these. I have an area that should get enough light and the peach shade will go with my existing plantings. Did not know there was a whole genre of roses like this, though I have long admired your gardens.
I am late to read this and the plan is great. It’s going to be wonderful. Where is the area with the fountain and fireplace? Is that on another side of the house? What a spectacular property – I just love seeing what you are doing!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond gorgeous!
I love your garden! I have all the David Austin roses you’ve selected and I love them all. They do very well in my garden in Victoria, British Columbia. The weather here is similar to the weather in England. I pair them with ferns, hydrangeas, ivy, wisteria and viburnum. I have lots of small critters in the garden, but no deer. Yet.
I have read and reread your post since yesterday. Wow! Your garden is so beautiful, and with your additions will be spectacular. Thanks for sharing your process and implementation. I can only imagine the pleasure it will bring you all . Cannot wait to see the roses on that beautiful arbor! Your BIL is very talented – his pieces are lovely. I love my (very small, tiny) garden. Most everything we put in came from someone so its special to us Trees from my aunt and uncle, tulips that my son brought back from the Netherlands (which I have never seen bloom thanks to the bunnies, and of course the pots that are enjoyed by the many hungry deer. So I guess its what I had hoped for, enjoyed by all.
Cindy, you’re going to turn your already-pretty garden into something magnificent and I’m here for it! Love your brother-in-laws trellises. Hmmm … I’m good g to scout around my garden tomorrow … I’d love to incorporate something so beautiful. xo
Hi Juliet
Pete lives in your hood!! I think you would love one!
Hi Cindy,
I’m back, I meant to ask you what wild life do you have in your community? It can make a big difference in what you grow, especially in the areas that the wild life can easily get in.
We have to remember they were here before the land got developed.
Hi Katherine
There is everything you can imagine. We have to plant everything in gopher baskets. There are deer and they have on occasion gotten in here. The former owners had a temporary sort of fence around the rose garden area. The entire back area is fenced in but they could jump if they are desperate. We dealt with the same issues in our former garden. We have not had a problem as of yet, which we will have to figure something out if we do. We do have barking dogs on both sides of our property and we plan to get another dog soon!
Cindy,
Your garden is coming along and reflects your good taste and style. I’ve started adding some David Austin roses to my small cottage garden. I’ve always admired the ones you’ve shared, and it will be fun to see how the David Austin ‘Olivia’ (the name of my oldest granddaughter) grows this year.
I always love your garden posts.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
I can’t wait to see how Olivia does! I love her name!
Cindy, boy are you ambitious! We are the same age and I am planting less on my acre and a half in Arroyo Grande, and I am a gardening maniac . I have a plant addiction! I find three hours is all the gardening maintenance I can do these days. Any more, my feet are heavy for Pickelball. Since we are somewhat neighbors, can deer get in your garden? The deer have eaten my roses the last three years, heartbreaking. Nancy
Hi Nancy
As I said to Kathy, this is very similar situation to our former garden…they have had deer on occasion here. They had a makeshift fence around the little garden area. We will do something more permanent should we have to. The entire back is fenced but as you know they can jump almost anything if they are really hungry. This probably will not be the year as they have so much to eat…
Hi Cindy,
The harbor trellis that your brother-in-law makes are nice. Talent runs in the family.
I can see your vision in the back garden. It
will turn out beautiful. Roses are so beautiful, they being so much joy. The roses you selected are gorgeous. Like you the English roses is a variety that I favor too.
The back garden is already special, you will turn it into complete magic.
Hi Katherine
Thank you!
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your lovely post it is looking so good the garden already, and i have saved your brother in law’s Etsy shop in my Etsy favorites! I use to grow many David Austin roses as the scents are divine and the colors and the blousy blown petals remind me of gardens I grew up in in England. I loved my rose bushes and climbing roses dearly but as the summers have become hotter and hotter here in Southern California I was getting less and less blooms and I was worried I was using too much water. I would love a post on rose care and maintenance and what food you use and how much etc: Obviously you know how to tend to them and I don’t think I ever really got the knack. Would love to try again…and you have inspired me! I only use organic in the garden and I can see the good effects of that.
Take care xo
Hi Francesca
Yes, the heat is a problem. The roses that were here struggled last season. That area is on it’s own zone (dripped) The rest of the yard is more water conscious, and we plan to make it even more so replacing things as they die with grasses. I no longer do a complicated program on my roses. I use alfalfa pellets in the Spring and milorganite after. I will let you know how it goes here.
Love how everything is coming along and making it yours! Great arbors as well that would look good in any garden space but love where you added it to make it s focal point s and entry to the rest of the garden. With the roses growing up it will look beautiful! 🌿🧡🌿
Hi Sue
Thank you so much I hope so!!
Your brother-in-law’s copper arches are lovely. The curved arch on Etsy looks identical to one my husband and I made about 25 years ago! We curved the top by bending copper tubing around a huge oak tree on our Georgia property at the time. He got on one side, I was on the other. We still love to tell that story. I have missed it ever since we moved! Thank you for all your lovely posts. You have such great style!
Hi Mary
That sounds like something Steve and I would have done back in the day!
That doesn’t surprise me!😊
What is DG?
I was sondering the same thing!! What is DG???
Decomposed Granite. It is used on pathways and driveways quite often here in California
Cindy, This is not only very beautiful, but also helpful! I am amazed at your talent & vision!
On a completely different note, would you share where you have found your horn jewelry?
Thank you.
Hi Susan
I have found vintage pieces on Ebay and Etsy. One of my nicest pieces came from IBU movement. I have also purchased pieces from these Etsy sellers
https://rstyle.me/+ByHVwqqHnz9RQy_LcgFFqA