West Side of Grounds
In the spring the fencing along the west of the property is draped with absolutely gorgeous clematis that is a highlight of the property.
Often passerbys will come up to the house and ask what they are! There are other varieties of clematis that drape along the fence further back from the street. Hostas, Lupin and Alium (I think I've misspelled this) are mixed with a variety of perennials.
Our neighbor's beautiful blooming Magnolia Tree drapes over the back portion of the fence with beautiful color. It is a messy tree with the shedding of flowers in the summer and leaves in the fall, but the beauty is well worth the inconvenience.
Hospice flower bed.
Hospice in bloom spring 2001
Another view of hospice beds.
There is a brick path and gateway to the neighbors yard under the magnolia tree. Sweet memory of days of old when neighbors were like family. We love our neighbors, Tim, Kris and Anna!
An extra large compost bin has been added in the southwest corner of the property behind the carriage house along this west fenceline. It's back behind the hospice beds. This provides fertilizer for the flowerbeds.
Flower beds surround the west addition. Under the picture window are planted evergreens and flowers bloom through the spring and fall seasons.
Flower bed under Family Room picture window.
As you approach the back entrance of the house from the driveway on the west side of the house, perennial herbs (parsley and oregano) are planted in the beds along the back of the west wing. The area from the driveway to the steps to the doorway is all blacktop except for a circle garden area. A burning bush (green in the summer and red in the fall) is surrounded with annually planted herbs. We use fresh herbs for cooking, and dehydrate them for winter use.
Directly behind the herb garden is a lawn area that goes to the fence line and is boardered by the Carriage House.
Burning bush.
Setting up the herb garden under burning bush
and potted tomatoe plants.
Red tulips rise to welcome you at the back door and spratically in groups around the grounds.
There were so many tulips last year that I dug up over 400 bulbs in this small area. We planted some left over annuals in the spot and planned to replant the bulbs in the fall. We went on a trip and winter came early and we were unable to replant the bulbs until early early spring. They will be late blooming this year but will get back into cycle.
Items gathered to do some gardening, you
can see the tulips along the flower bed.
Apparently I didn't get all the tulip bulbs! You will see the tulips coming up this spring! The remaining bulbs I placed in flower boxes to be transplanted next fall!
This spring's tulips!
An old redwood hot tub was located in the corner of the house behind the west wing and the half bathroom on the first floor. It was set up so that you went through a high window in the half bath to get in and out of the tub. George had it removed, the plumbing capped and the house siding replaced.
A beautiful old vine wraps around heavy metal piping climbing up the side of the corner of the west addition. It drapes over a power line over its roof. Trimmed way back annually, it all grows right back is beautiful as it drapes down the backside of the west addition. Beneath it is a small herb garden where parsley and tyme is grown.
Hanging vine over the west addition.
A column was installed on the back porch replacing a wrought iron support keeping it in the style of the front of the house. The back door area is covered to the side door of the house. There is a separate entrance door that has a stairway to the maid's room. See our Stairway section.
The Front Porch
Come and visit our favorite place! I'll bring the lemonaid and cookies!