OMG! when you first described the pergola I thought what a brilliant solution and addition, but I had no idea how it was viewed from above. This is so elegant. I so hope you will be able to post pics as the trees leaf out and the roses bloom. Thank you for posting this.

Wow, I love this photo. Updates are always appreciated. How charming.

Photo of the pergola, taken today. We added a bed this spring, taking up paving stones from the terrace (DH did this heavy job) and making a slightly raised bed. Its current occupants include artichokes, a powerfully ornamental plant, variegated and plain culinary thyme, golden oregano, and one plant of pinks. It's a start. The idea is semi-rock-garden. We intend to add a second columnar oak at the near end of the bed to complement the one at the far end. It may be evident that I don't believe in uninterrupted paved surfaces.

I am so happy you are adding photos to your wonderful prose, Melissa. I really like interrupted paved surfaces. How much acreage do you have? I am realizing my wild future is coming faster than I thought. I'm 5 years in to your at least 15, I think. Do you deadhead roses?

What a beautiful country property you have, Melissa. Without photos I think I've concentrated more on the sheer hard work it has been to transform it all, but now I have more of an idea of how wonderful it looks. That area must be heavenly during its peak spring bloom.

Hello, Ingrid! We live in beautiful country. The garden in its better areas and moments is moving, enough to give me an idea of what I want it to be.

Peak bloom is wonderful, you're right. Summer is the period of maximum weeds, and between that, the beating sun, and the absence of irrigation, the garden looks rather shabby this time of year. It would be less so if we had more and larger trees, but they take time. I notice in summer how welcome foliage and shade are, and they offer enough variety in form and texture to be aesthetically pleasing, even when flowers are few.

Sheila, I generally dont deadhead roses: it's simply too big a task, and I'm not that set on maximizing rebloom. If I do it's probably most often part of a job of green pruning.

If your garden is just five years old you've achieved amazing results. I really like what I see of it in photos. I don't know how much garden we have; probably somewhere between two and four acres. The entire property, consisting, aside from garden, of meadows, woods--not very good woods--and some brushy areas, is thirty-three acres. We've been gardening here for about seventeen years; it has been very slow.

What a beautiful view! Love those ramblers!

Here at the country place we are on a flat land , really flat. Here is a view from carriage house 2nd floor decking.

OMG! You guys all live in paradise!

Mine is not paradise though, more like a land of weeds. Lol There is a horse barn two doors down the road, and an organic farm cross from the horse barn (10-15 acres away). Two doors down towards the other way (10 acres away) there is a cow farm with a lot of goats. I got flies being in between. Lol

But plenty of manure, unless the organic farm has laid claim to it all! LOL! :-0

Summers, beautiful! At least you have organic farms by you. I have a mow and blow guy next door who advertises his political leanings, uses Roundup, and sends us emails about our weeds, meadow and milkweed. Fortunately he is selling and moving soon.

Thank you for that, Melissa. I did work very hard to get things going and put in irrigation. I'm glad you have more rain because maintaining the irrigation is a big job. I'm glad you have survived without deadheading. I see you have quite a lot of territory to consider. I really think the way the roses are going, and the size these Teas are getting will make deadheading really hard. I am going more for health of plants than maximizing rebloom. No one is really looking except me and my husband and family and a few friends.

Ingrid, my inspiration, I am thinking of you often. You have taught me so much about climate and gardening in heat. I know we all need to be aware of the way the world is going. We all are getting older and can develop energy reducing conditions, so I am appreciating everyone sharing their challenges because it will be all of us eventually. Your garden looks lovely this Spring. My best to you and Cecil.

Lisa, good luck on your recovery from your THR.