Destination Solitude

At the far end of the garden is a newly open area. I'd like to create a destination for garden visitors, a place to stop and rest, where one can look back over the garden toward the house and the woods. The location is behind the large maple tree, shown by the yellow box in the photo above.

My first concept was suggested by an image on Peter Janke's website showing a rather format "allee" of old apple trees (I believe) and grasses with a seat at the end. I was intrigued by the contrast of this formal element with the wildness of the rest of the garden.


On further thought, this may be too different in character from my garden. I've reached no decision but I think this concept of a contrasting area isolated from the rest of the garden has a lot to offer. The view looking back across the garden from this point is a pleasing one, and the sense of isolation and separation imparts a feeling of tranquility. Here is a first very simple sketch of what the new area might look like.


This still feels rather stiff, so I'm considering loosening the planting to simply suggest the effect of straight lines, and possibly adding a mixed planting of perennials and shrubs on the right to break up and partially block the view back to the main garden, and to provide an even greater sense of separation. Perhaps the focal point won't be a seat. It could be a little pavilion, even something quite modern made of wire mesh. The possibilities are endless.

But it's early February ... perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself.

What do you think?