Shakkei is a Japanese term that refers to incorporating views of a neighboring landscape into one's garden. We've enjoyed our neighbors' huge old Forsythia 'Beatrix Farrand' for as long as we've lived in this house.. Some years the branches have come right through the fence and we've told our neighbors not to prune them on our account. This is the view along the fence path approaching our hoses and faucet — and the gate into their garden so we can enjoy their plants up close.
Their Magnolia stellata is always a wonderful sight. Usually our trees are more leafed out and the line between the properties is not so obvious.
Next up will be their hot pink and orange Rhododendron shrubs. A perfect pairing of colors from the 1960s.
I love the Forsythia. It's great when a neighbor's garden offers gems like those you describe. In my case, I'm looking at a very sad Brugmansia :(
Posted by: Kris P | Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 01:00 PM
We were so happy when our first spring in this house arrived and we saw that our neighbor was a gardener. Sadly, she has dementia now, and is making strange changes to her garden that I don't think would have happened if she were healthy. I told Jim that we need to run over and intervene if she starts removing her Korean Spice Viburnum or the dogwoods or the huge Oakleaf Hydrangea. Thank you for sharing your neighbor's garden with us.
Posted by: Kristin | Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 04:21 PM