RamblingNana's Blog

Home Sweet Home!
Mar 22, 2009 | 1:30 PM PST
Tags: climbing roses , balcony , garden centre , Black-Eyed Susan , golf courses , shade garden , rattan outdoor furniture

 

Well. we're all settled.  We are absolutely loving our new condo.  The golf course view is really delightful.  I get such a kick out of watching the the golfers meandering along the grass.  Most entertaining.  Even though it is still very much winter here on the coast, that doesn't seem to stop the keeners.  I see them in the pouring rain, plastic over their golf bags, big umbrellas over their heads.  They don't seem to notice. 

It's really been cold here, ever since we moved in last October.  Our balcony still has construction dirt all over it.  It's still too cold for me to get out there and really give it a scrub down.  I'm looking forward to the warm weather when we will get a power washer out there and get things looking spiffy.  We are living in a construction site and it's still a long way to go before it's finished.  Four more buildings are being built now.  What a mess!  Mud, dust, yecchhh!

It's going to be a few years before the surrounding landscape design looks like anything.  We are so fortunate to be on the back where the only view we have is the treed view of the golf course and the mountains.  Many of the trees are bare but it wont be long before it is just a solid mass of lovely new green leaves.  I can't wait.  Fortunately there are a lot of evergreens, so we never really lose the lovely view.  We can't see any of our neighbouring buildings.  I took a little video of our view the first week we moved in.  Fall was definitely upon us and all the deciduous trees were losing their leaves.  I'll have to figure out how to add a video to my photo album. 

I'm going to have to buy some big pots if I want to do any gardening.  We can't have hanging baskets here.  I don't want to have a lot of cluttery "stuff" out on the balcony. 

We are going out today to look for some nice deck chairs that look like rattan but are designed for the out of doors.  We are also going to hit a new garden store that will have some awesome things to look at.  Should come back with a few more ideas to mull over.

We've found a spot on the balcony for our bakers rack from our old kitchen set.  I am going to make it my little garden centre.  I will put impatiens and tuberous and fibrous begonias on the shelves - all the shade stuff on it.  I think it will look okay.  We are going to use our glass kitchen table and chairs as our picnic table.  It's that sort of greenish wrought iron ... can't recall what it's called.  It's a nice set and I think it will work well outside.  I was determined that I would not "get rid of my kichen set!"  I will put Boston ferns on my fern stands, and that will soften the look.

The balcony is totally covered and quite large so we have an area for the table and chairs in front of our living room and another area for a grouping of matching armchairs in front of our family roon.  We are north facing with only morning sun coming in on a small portion of the balcony.  Too bad ... but I'm not complaining. 

I'll put together something that is happy in low light.  I'm pretty confident that I can get it looking pretty.  All I need is some warm weather!!!  If you've got any tips for me about great plants that are happy in tubs and love the shade, I'm all ears! 

My friend who has the awesome garden (pictures in my album, check them out) has the most gorgeous climbing rose all over the wall in front of her kitchen.  Check it out.  It really is fabulous.  I am wondering if I could grow it in a big pot if I put it in the corner with the morning light and put a support system for it to grow around?  I've forgotten the name of the rose ... but I will ask her.  I'd also love to have a Black Eyed Susan vine.  I wonder what my chances of success are?  Our area gets a LOT of dull weather in the Spring and Summer too ... so light is a big consideration.

I've rambled on far too long.  I just wanted to touch base and say "hi" to all of you.  I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of interesting garden news to share with you anymore - but in my heart I'm very much out there with you!  I'll just have to pretend I still have my wonderful garden.  I can at least share whatever I manage to create in the space I do have. 

Cheers & happy gardening! 

RN