Contessa’s Garden………..

May 16, 2015 54 Comments

The garden is doing HER thing!All I did was stand back after I pruned and fertilized and waited.She out did herself this year!It is quite the PERFORMANCE right now……….and if we are OH, so lucky tonight a bit of rain will come sauntering down from the heavens and spray HER with moisture to make her even stand more erect!

I have a garden that I have done myself with NO HELP from a landscaper folk or gardeners. I have dug and planted more then 284 roses and seen the KENTUCKY Blue Grass die from my geese…….only to be scattered with PENNYROYAL for years and years.Now,it seems with our drought and the dogs the PENNYROYAL is giving up the THRIVE to dance and spread………..so now what. FAKE GRASS?My friend LINDA swears by it!Decomposed granite, well that would be pretty but the VERY precious ITALIAN has to have a slope for the water to drain so that will not work!Besides what WATER……..we are in a DROUGHT here in CALIFORNIA.

A FOUR YEAR DROUGHT!

More pavers………….. I have suggested and put in my request so we can have more POTS………….GORGEOUS POTS and more comfortable places to sit.WE shall see as I am married to the CONSTRUCTION MAN and I am at the bottom of the LIST!At least the house is done………well kinda!Do not look to closely for molding……..it’s missing in some spots!

Enough CHATTER………lets go into the garden shall we?

Looking down on top of the third terrace.The white rose is SEAFOAM the only rose ever made in Italy!The yellow is LIMONCELLO, like the drink my Italian makes in house!That rose was for him!

One of my Favorite Pots I got from all my neighbors for a birthday awhile ago!

The watering can stays pretty much here as I have a need for it further down…..where water does not reach!

This rose I bought for my 40th birthday………I know the name but it is slipping past me at the moment!More orangey peach but I just had to have it!I only do WHITE and YELLOW in the back.

My doors got a redo this fall.A bit GREEN but don’t I look like GIVERNY??The green leaf is LEMON BALM……….it self seeds and pops up everywhere.I adore it.The smell is DIVINE.Pink rose is one of the very FIRST roses I ever purchased…….at a drug store.Once I had made up my mind of my colors I couldn’t pull her out!She is VERY fragrant and has always struggled in her spot.

The BEASTIES of the fountain………GOLDFISH not KOI!Happy little guys………

This is the foundation of my garden.The white Meidiland rose.Not much fragrance but a powerful GIRL!!

This is what my NURSERYMAN sold me when he did not have the white MEIDILAND in stock………….not my favorite but I do not have the heart to send HER on HER way!So, she stays and I snip her for the house.

SIR WINSTON…….watering the SIR THOMAS GRAHAM ROSES.This will be a spectacle in another year or two……..I have three roses pretty close together here…….all the same.I know I should lift them up but I have A LOT of STAR JASMINE behind them………….

AS you step out of our kitchen this is what you would see…………can you make out the slope in the ground here……drives me NUTS!

This Rose is a stunner……….strong and tall.

LIMONCELLO with a bit of WHITE ROSEMARY scattered in between……….

Second Terrace……….ground cover PENNYROYAL that self seeded it’s self through out the garden years ago.The smell is intoxicating when one walks on top of it!

The 40th birthday rose……anybody know the name?

This is what I call the BRIDGE of SIGHS…………it will take you to the Vegetable garden.The POTATO VINE died last year in the cold so we cut it all back to about two feet……..this is ONE years growth.I have roses on the other side which should make their debut this year!The arbor was made by that ITALIAN!!!!!!!!!

Hello………….care to cut me for the house?Not really I say as I like you there!

Early morning dew………….so pretty.

The Meidiland rose in the walls of the terraces…………

PILLOW FIGHT ROSE arching with the OAK TREE!

More MEIDILAND……….

Bolero on the LEFT…………….very FRAGRANT.

GUIDO’s Bride in the chicken coop making a nest and staying PUT in a chandelier……

SPANISH STEPS…………..up to the house.Lemon Balm,Jasmine and that white flower is a type of MOCK ORANGE.

MY NEW ARCH for my rose WHITE EDEN, I purchased last year…………..a white climber………..stay tuned for how she takes off!

54 Comments

Leave your reply.

Donna~Faded velvet
· Reply

June 3, 2015 at 1:52 PM

Elizabeth~
Your garden is a wonderful reflection of you, my dear. Whimsical and exuberant! When you come to visit I shall have to put blinders on your eyes and pie you with MUCH vino, so you shant be bored with my annuals and lack of perennials! the fireflies will have to really put on a show.
Somday, my dear, I shall walk the steps in your yard and trail my fingertips in your pond.
Someday soon.
Donna
Faded Velvet
Myfrenchkitchen
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June 2, 2015 at 7:00 AM

such a lovely garden…I love a garden that is left to follow its own rules..
Ronelle
Marsha@Splenderosa
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May 27, 2015 at 9:06 AM

This is total heaven! If I came I would never leave you.
The animals, the fish, the fowl, the flowers and YOU !!!
Sheer heaven!!!!!!
Annie M
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May 25, 2015 at 5:54 AM

Huge garden fan here – and yours is superb! Two white roses which would fit right in are Mme Hardy which has a lovely lemony scent and Blanc Double de Coubert which smells of the old Pond’s cold cream (in my mind at least….)
- contessa
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  May 25, 2015 at 8:50 AM
  
  ANNIE………I HAVE BOTH of the roses you mentioned.The BLANC DOUBLE DE COBERT I have five of them and the MADAME HARDY at least THREE!THANK you for telling me this as I had forgotten the name of the MADAME HARDY!!!
Town & Country House
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May 21, 2015 at 6:51 PM

Your garden is sublime! And your corgi (with full tail it seems!) makes the most charming yard man! 😉
Catherine
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May 21, 2015 at 2:14 PM

The name of the rose that you can’t figure out is Golden Celebration. I am not into yellow roses but this was one of my favorite climbing roses.
linda teplitz
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May 20, 2015 at 8:58 AM

Your garden is the embodiment of you! Enjoy it (and let’s sip an espresso in it soon).
Jody Brettkelly
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May 19, 2015 at 8:53 AM

She’s a stunnah! Gosh those roses look so happy to be living with you. Am loving that shot of green too – what would you call that shade, is that Kelly green. Well old Grace Kelly would fit right in in your garden, Much love Elizabeth, am missing you. Let’s get together after this graduation nonsense is over!
- contessa
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  May 19, 2015 at 6:46 PM
  
  ABSOLUTELY……..look forward to it!
Loree
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May 18, 2015 at 1:07 PM

Your garden is a DREAM!. See, this is what that garden I was talking about needs. I think you and I need to be the gardeners – except I would need to have more reds and pinks among my colours. Our little patch out back is like a crazy rainbow right now. We have red, yellow and garnet-coloured roses, hot pink hydrangeas, marigolds in yellow, orange and gold, red tropical canna, dark pink geraniums, baby pink geraniums, nasturtiums and a hibiscus that’s like a rusty wine (if that even makes sense). Most of them grow in pots. We’re still waiting on some other to bloom. Our back yard is really quite tiny compared to your gorgeous garden. My father in law grows roses. He even created a hybrid. His roses have the most wonderful scent and he always picks me a bunch as soon as we arrive at their house in MO and puts it in our bedroom. He is so sweet.
- contessa
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  May 18, 2015 at 2:32 PM
  
  VIA EMAIL:
  
  I wish one could “scratch and sniff”all your beautiful photos. Lovely.
- contessa
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  May 19, 2015 at 7:39 AM
  
  ARE you coming to the STATES this summer?WE should chat if you are……….I would be happy to ring you!XX
Gaylin
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May 18, 2015 at 7:03 AM

Wonderful inspiration! Off to the nursery to find my own midlands rose! I am so in love with the one white cloud I have and need more white!
My husband slowly has removed our grass. We are simply changing our yard to water wise. However we live where we can get recycled water and my garden LOVES the natural fertilizer 🙂
That frees up “drinkable” water for a few tomatoes and herbs!
My husband has declared this not a drought but California!
Enjoy the cool weather and possible sprinkles this week!
kim
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May 17, 2015 at 10:09 PM

Gorgeous!! I love your beautiful yard. It was so pretty even in February so I can just imagine NOW!! Great idea just doing white and yellow. Really makes an impact doesn’t it? I think I love the most that you did it yourself! It’s a labor of love and you truly do reap all the work in the yard. I just spent yesterday in mine and it is the best for the mind, soul and what ails you. Now did you say your dove is Guido?? LOVE!! xxoo Kim
- contessa
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  May 18, 2015 at 6:11 AM
  
  GUIDO, is the name of MY MALE DOVE………..he was a very bad BOY so got to live in the chicken coop by himself for a few years!I have just given him a BRIDE.He is HAPPY.They have made a nest in a chandelier……..you can imagine how happy that makes me!XX
French Basketeer
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May 17, 2015 at 7:52 PM

I was absolutely positively enchanted by your garden in wintry January…but I love seeing the riot of blooms in spring…You have truly created a magical space! Brava on such amazing roses~~Love!!
Elliot
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May 17, 2015 at 6:31 PM

It is hard to believe you have 284 roses, my oh my!! What is your secret in caring for them? We have 30 and they all have black spot!!! Ugh.
- contessa
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  May 18, 2015 at 6:13 AM
  
  I too have BLACK SPOT………this is the time where they are all thriving!Will not be as pretty come deep summer time…………I did hear once dish soap with water in a spray bottle will HELP!!
Julie Russell
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May 17, 2015 at 5:08 PM

Pea gravel is a GREAT suggestion. We spread it around our vegetable beds and LOVE it. Our four-legged family members LOVE it too and it saves the lawn – which is holding on for the moment but I fear the worst. Thank goodness for last week’s good rain and the cooler climate since.

Your rose garden is BEYOND.
- contessa
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  May 18, 2015 at 6:14 AM
  
  May I have a viewing of your PEA GRAVEL………….???PRETTY PLEASE!
Doré @ BurlapLuxe
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May 17, 2015 at 10:40 AM

Oh Elizabeth you have so many ways to go with resolving your garden issues. I love Penlopes idea of pea gravel that would be a first choice for me! As for your rustic over growth it’s truly divine loving all the cement accents and the old galvanized pieces along with your nested Chandelieres. You must be in your garden year around pruning, cutting back and planning.

What a garden to love.

Xx
Dore
Tara Sayers Dillard
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May 17, 2015 at 6:26 AM

Will you stain your Bridge of Sighs the same shade of green as your doors?

Make peace with your slope, very desirable to have.

Get all your pots, benches, focal points LEVEL. The slope will then jump forward as PERFECTION. Love your land’s undulations as a layer of design.

Your garden lives big in design, history, plants, land, axis, focal points. Happiness.

Garden & Be Well, XO T
- contessa
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  May 18, 2015 at 6:18 AM
  
  I Know they are in the leaning TOWER OF PISA MODE at the moment the Urns, and benches…….Every year we need to adjust.I will get on that!
  NO, the BRIDGE OF SIGHS willNOT get that coat of paint!But I do like the idea…………!!!XO
Catherine Robinson
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May 17, 2015 at 4:20 AM

Gorgeous…I’ve very much enjoyed walking around your beautiful garden this afternoon…accompanied by Sir Winston 😉
Enjoy the rest of the weekend xx
Anita Rivera
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May 17, 2015 at 2:40 AM

Good morning gorgeous friend! I am happy to see you have posted AGAIN in a short amount of time! What can I say but that these white beauties are so FRENCH, so European and fabulous. Out here in Minnesota, unfortunately we can’t grow any of the white variety of rose climbers due to out extreme winters, but we just planted a ramblin red rose climber. I am not a fan of red BUT these are hardy climbers and the LOVE of roses will one day bloom in my garden.

YOUR WATERING CAN! I have two and I can’t wait to get my garden all dolled up. School is still in session, until May 29 then in June, HERE WE COME TO CARMEL!!!!!!! Your garden is my style, and like you, ours is singing happily with birds and the lush green is starting to emerge. HUGS TO YOU ELIZABETH! And…I have been on Instagram now for two weeks and I love it. I’m following you now! Anita
anita@letshavelunch
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May 16, 2015 at 10:52 PM

Elizabeth, on the drive home from Jindivick I remembered that I had this to look forward to when I got in.
I turned the PC on……..and I wasn’t disappointed. It truly is a special garden that belongs to a special person. The roses are at their absolute peak and you’ve captured them perfectly in these photos.
Cheers Bella xx
p.s. I think that gold rose is a David Austin called Golden Celebration.
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 4:20 AM
  
  THATS IT NEAT!
  THAT is the rose I bought myself for my 40th birthday celebration!
  THANK YOU………….XO
Elliot
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May 16, 2015 at 7:37 PM

What a beautiful garden!
Bonny neiman
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May 16, 2015 at 6:29 PM

Amazing and gorgeous!
Miss Mary
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May 16, 2015 at 6:17 PM

Oh, Contessa! What a stunning garden you have created! I love everything about it. The colors, the dew-laden roses, the furry helper, the terraces, just EVERYTHING!

My little bird had told me of this lovely place, and now I can see for myself…Monet has NOTHING on this garden! Breathtaking! I KNOW this beautiful space was the product of so much work-you should be proud!

Thank you for sharing this with us-you are truly a generous and grace-filled spirit, with talent BEYOND compare! <3
- LA CONTESSA
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  Author
  
  May 17, 2015 at 10:20 AM
  
  MISS MARY……….your words are SO BEAUTIFUL.I thank YOU SO MUCH……
  You must fill me in on POWER to the THIRD!!!!YOU always end with that!
  EXPLAIN!!!!!!!!
foodiefan
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May 16, 2015 at 5:45 PM

Really enjoying looking at your beautiful flowering garden as I look out at grey clouds and concrete at the Hong Kong airport before I depart for home. Having wandered up and down your terraces in early Spring before the rose buds had bloomed with the fragrance of Penny Royal under foot it is lovely to see it in righteous colour. Your garden is an expression of you! xo
- LA CONTESSA
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  Author
  
  May 17, 2015 at 10:17 AM
  
  SAFE TRAVELS…………and I look forward to seeing YOU next month!
  XO
D. A. Wolf
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May 16, 2015 at 5:14 PM

Amazing! What a magical place.
Jennifer
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May 16, 2015 at 4:43 PM

Gorgeous! Funny you say you just prune, fertilizer and let it do it’s own thing. But YOU had to plan it, design it, arrange where things are. It’s masterful. I think I woud spend every moment of evey day in your backyard. And sir Winston, is helpng you out!! How sweet of him. I do love that green on your doors. Bright cheerry and very Giverny!!
xox
Susie Nolan
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May 16, 2015 at 3:20 PM

What a wonderful way to wake on a wet Sunday morning. I adore gardens that take one on a magical carpet ride!!!! This one did not disappoint!!!! Stunning not held back but free and glorious. My husband created an Italian and French garden lots of topiary and box hedges, not much fun! So much work, looked superb but….. I so miss the roses and Iris over 400 hundred species. I adore your garden Elizabeth and look forward to seeing What Happen’s Next. Don’t laugh, I now have one rose, not a very happy one either. So I will transport myself to yours. Love Susie xxxxx
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:50 AM
  
  YOU are WELCOME any time SUSIE……………….thank you for this WONDERFUL comment.
  I can send you a photo every other week or so, so you can ENJOY!
  ONE ROSE!!!
  What color?
  XX
Sharon Stanley Ruggerio
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May 16, 2015 at 2:42 PM

Thank you for sharing this most personal creation. You have captured grace and peace within this lovely garden. No small accomplishment.
My garden lends me its surprises, cheer, and hope each and every day. I lend it my heart and care. And that sweet dependence upon each other is the TRUE reason that I can not bring myself to move from my slowly declining neighborhood. We will carry on together.
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:48 AM
  
  BRAVA!!!YOU canNOT leave your garden and ALL those years of work and DEVOTION!
  It would be VERY hard for me to leave too……………thank you for sharing this with me.XX
suzana
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May 16, 2015 at 2:39 PM

what a lovely slice of heaven you have. xxx
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:46 AM
  
  GRAZIE………I think so too.
Heather in Arles
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May 16, 2015 at 2:36 PM

I have had the good fortune to travel a bit in my life but there are still many places that I would love to see. Currently, the top of the list is looking like this:
1) Venice
2) the Greek Islands
3) your house and garden
And not necessarily in that order! For me, this is your most beautiful post so far, visually speaking and will send me off to sleep with rose-filled dreams…
Merci…
XO
H
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:45 AM
  
  SO,I have another idea.I come teach YOU to drive and then we train it to VENICE!!!!!!!!!
  The GREEK ISLANDS are on MY bucket list TOO!I think I have missed the bathing suit days but lets go for the history, food,and photo opportunities!!!
  XO
Penelope Bianchi
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May 16, 2015 at 2:21 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!

It is gorgeous; as are you! Maybe I am flattering myself; but it does remind me of my garden!!!

We like wild and wooly!! What about pea gravel??? I love it; and it is permeable! It is perfect in places things won’t grow!!! And you can put chairs and tables and anything on it! We like 3/8 del Rio!
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:43 AM
  
  NO, Penelope………..you and I are on the SAME COURSE IN LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!
  THANK YOU for the pea gravel INFO!Have already asked the ITALIAN and he says YES,that will work!
Katie Clooney
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May 16, 2015 at 2:18 PM

OMG… Dear Contessa…. Your garden is positively magnificent! Love the Bridge of Sighs and your coi pond!!! I that garden were mine I would NEVER step INSIDE!!!! I can tell that you and your darling FUR BABY have lots of fun in your outdoor PARADISE!!! (I wonder if the lady who yelled at you for using caps, reads my comments. I HOPE SO!!!!!!!
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:41 AM
  
  YOU made me laugh out load again!I need to learn to cut more and bring inside the flowers that exist outside……..it’s REALLY REALLY hard for me to cut them!I do not lack in VESSELS either to host them indoors.Getting better but its still a thrill to see them outside.I feel they last longer too.
Diane
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May 16, 2015 at 1:40 PM

This world you have created is sublime, without compare. I always have the feeling I’ve gone through the looking glass…
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:38 AM
  
  What a gorgeous description you have given me here……………thank you!
Pat
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May 16, 2015 at 1:28 PM

Remind me…why did we go on the Orinda Garden Club tour when we could have just stayed at your house???!!!???
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:37 AM
  
  Because it was an OUTING for us to be together………and we ENJOYED peeking at those other beautiful homes!
Sandra Sallin
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May 16, 2015 at 10:10 AM

Gorgeous. I just posted them on Pinterest.
- contessa
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  May 17, 2015 at 9:36 AM
  
  Why thank you…what a compliment especially from the EMPRESS who paints exquisite roses.I will try to title each photo in the coming posts to make YOU HAPPY!!!!
  XO