View of the Kellum Fountain through the gate to the upper garden early on a very foggy January morning. This gate is on the same axis as the steps up to my patio, so I have a view of the goldfish pond from my patio through the gate. [the iron gate has been taken down for repair.] As you can see it's a somewhat untidy old graden. My home was bult in 1919, so this year is it's 100-year anniversary. I suppose the Garden was begun around 1919. I know the Wisteria arbor dates back to near that time. I added the fish pond about 18 years ago.
Julia Child in the foreground. Altissimo is the climbing red rose in the background, and Graham Thomas (pale yellow) can be seen behind and to the right of Altissimo.
The lower garden, upper terrace, in winter. The lower terrace to the South can be seen to the right. This is looking East. The large round green shrub to the right of the grass path is a ~50 year old gardenia. Below the lower terrace lies Gordon's Creek which overflows its banks every few years. Some figs and hazels can be seen as well as a very large sweet gum to the far right.
In the foreground is the Hyb. Tea Tiffany. a fragrant and vigorous modern rose that is excellent for cutting. It's relatively disease free in hot humid climates when grown on Fortuniana, as it is here. In the upper left corner is the modern, tough as nails, climber "Parade". A gaudy , hot pink rose, that gets its vigor from its "New Dawn," heritage. New Dawn is a sport of the equally vigorous Dr. W. van Fleet , a once blooming rambler that was at one time ubiquitous in old Deep-South gardens. The Dr. blooms on a fence elsewhere in the garden and is stunningly beautiful when in full bloom in late May and Early June. It has none of the gaudy brashness of its grand child, Parade.
In the background center is the red China rose, Cramoisi Superieur, on its own roots. One of the great trouble free shrubs for the South. It blooms heavily Spring and Fall and sporadically in between. Light fragrance. It can be grown as an informal hedge. It is nearly evergreen in Zone 8b. There is nothing not to like about Cramoisi Superieur. It's one of the best shrub roses for mild climates in existence.
Upper garden on Feb. 7. Garden Entrance and Nandina Hedge to the North on the Left. The Wisteria arbor is on the East side.
The circular layout is evident. Behind the camera position is the path to the lower garden.
