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A Gardener's Notebook: The latest incarnation of my column detailing the trails and tribulations of my garden. Join the list and ask your own questions about gardening Subscribe

Just as every painting needs a frame to complete it, gardens have their frame as well. The frame of my garden consists of my house, my fences and a few elements that exist within the garden itself. This week I was able to complete one small project that had been dogging me for months. While not strictly part of the garden, such as the trees, the hibiscus or the iris bed, this project, nevertheless is an integral part of the garden.

Over the threshold

Like so many homeowners, the maintenance, repair and remodeling of my home often takes on the feeling of an endless battle. As soon as one item is repaired another one requires my attention. Such was the case with the back door that leads from the kitchen to the back patio and on into the garden.

I had accidentally broken the sliding window in the old, ugly door many months ago. After several more months we had a contractor come in to replace the door with a new wooden screen door and a wooden, 10-lite door. This was a large improvement over the old door as it allowed more air flow, the windows allowed much more light into the kitchen and, better still, it opened up beautiful views of the garden.

In order to save a little money I had decided to paint the door myself. Little did I know, though, that it would take me several more months to get around to it. Finally, though, through the help of my wife Rosanne, the cooperation of my 2-year-old son, Joseph, and the pressing deadline of a baby shower, I was able to complete the project this week. It is amazing how the thought of having 30 people visit your garden can jumpstart your motivation.

As of today we now have a beautiful, forest green screen door and main door. It has worked out even better than we had hoped. As you pass through the house, the doorway hints at some of the greenery to be found beyond. It provides both an enticement to enter the garden and a frame for the view. Once outside, the doorway blends into the overall garden, providing a relief from the otherwise stark, white, expanse of stucco wall that the house presents. Walking out through the door the other day I has visions of entering a new world, almost like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.

Moving on…

Despite a few problems with the painting I have found a few other similar projects that would help to spruce up my garden frame. Since we are going to be bringing guests down the alley on the north side of the house I have a thought to paint the gate on that side a deep shade of red, like that frequently found in Japanese gardens. The original theme of our garden, developed by the previous owners, was Japanese so I think this would work nicely. It would also help to define the entrance, which tends to get lost in the plantings and dwarfed by the house itself.

Despite my usual bias against annuals, I am looking to fill some holes in the garden so that it presents a dressier appearance for the party. Perhaps the vision of the garden in flower will spur me to get some perennial plantings completed as I have meant to do for months. I also found some beautiful, upright impatiens at the local nursery that mighty fill some spaces in the more shady areas of the garden.

 

Take a few moments this week to look at the frame that surrounds your garden. Just like a fine painting, the frame is often considered a work of art in itself. You will be surprised what a bit of paint, a few large rocks or a new vine on the wall can do to brighten up your garden.