Download time on 56kpbs Modem is 15

Download time on 56kpbs Modem is 15-25 seconds.-10 seconds on broad band/ DSL

My Bonsai Garden-Construction started in September 2005 and continued for six months as all the main elements were added. In 2006 and 2007 I refined the images and now the garden has started to grow in to its own character. As this is an image page the download will take no more than two minutes on a 56kmodem and 0 seconds on DSL/Broadband. The general Chinese garden images are further down on this page. Small images: click for larger pic. Slide shows use the arrows on either side to scroll through the set up then click any image to enlarge it.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO A RECENT SERVER CHANGE SOME OF MY IMAGES WERE UNFORTUNATELY LOST AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF RESTORING THESE TO THIS WEBSITE

Overview: The garden.
I had my trees on benches for the past five years since moving here and the trees were always crunched up. I wanted something that would regenerate my interest in my own Bonsai and to do that I needed to make a more open space. My garden is very small and I was also hampered by being on a steep slope immediately behind the house which was used as a very large rockery with steps down two sides.. That’s the problem living on a hill. I had built a bamboo garden on one side of the house and on the other I had a large decking area that serves us well in better weather. I wanted elements of a Chinese Garden as I am particularly interested in this style. However I needed to combine function with form and function was utmost in my mind. To this end some Japanese elements were going to become part of the form from which I could chose the many variants of garden design. The idea was not to make it too mixed up but still allow a clean design with some eastern ideas suited to western needs. It this case it was a need to display my Bonsai. The only problem with this is that I have too many trees for the display. As my enthusiasm for the garden develops and my re kindled enjoyment on my own Bonsai develops, I have started to get more material to work on and this is a big issue. Inevitably, I also need a work in progress area and that already is proving an issue I did not initially consider. I just do not have enough space. Something's got to give. But what?

Slide shows use the arrows on either side to scroll through the set up then click any image to enlarge it.

The first part of the job was to remove the slope on one side, the left. That meant retaining walls to support the upper area and decking. I extended the construction work as far as I could without removing the lawn which my wife insists on keeping . The foundations for the walls were built when the trees and shrubs that were on this are were removed. Over nine tons of soil was removed and the are was sectioned in by a side and bottom wall in addition to the rear retaining wall. This took three days. The telegraph poles I was using were around 1¾ metres tall and all were sunken ¾ metre into the ground and concreted in. Terram was laid over the poles and onto the ground to stop weeds coming through. I then laid dark purple cobbles, wide flat stones, onto the terram. I did not wish to use slate as that looks fine but can break down when stood on. These were stone and so would be durable. I bought 15 large roundish marble boulders supplied from the Isle of Skye who had also supplied the other stones and ground covering I needed. You can find decorative stone suppliers in your area who will have similar stones.

In January ( mid winter) I planted three White Nepalese Birch that I bought bare rooted from Ashridge Trees (http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/index.cfm) who are one of the top UK specialists tree nurseries and they delivered the three two metre tall Betula Jacquemontii from Somerset. Fortunately these were sent bare rooted which allowed me to plan the design easily when planting. These have been planted together in a small grove or two and one in front of the end unit: When they take root In will incorporate the white boulders around the bases of the trees.

Click for larger picture

Birch Grove Work Column in grass away from Display Rear wall before new gate and wall are built

Slide shows use the arrows on either side to scroll through the set up then click any image to enlarge it.

On this side I used the off cuts from the posts to build a small retaining wall between two different ground covering stones. I wanted a lighter colour for the front that the dark purple cobbles would be at the back. The small posts would act as tables for my Mame Bonsai and allow good light to get to them. I was stuck for space so could not do anything else at this early stage. I made a small water feature trickling over some large stones from Turkey that are dark green with white stripes. This would add the element of sound.

Slide shows use the arrows on either side to scroll through the set up then click any image to enlarge it.

Part three: The other parts of the garden

The existing swing seat is now enclosed to better fit into the rest of the garden

One thing was to use what ever areas I could find without totally filling the space. I dug up the old plants and overgrown shrubs in the rockery and levelled off part of this are and placed some posts. I also planted specialist varieties of Hostas I bought from an expert grower in Belgium. Hostas were good here as this was a more shady area.

I did not want a specific Japanese Garden, I was more interested in Chinese Gardens. I am writing a book on that subject and have studied Chinese Gardens for many years. However I was stuck. I needed function over form. I needed space to display the Bonsai but in essence, that was to allow me room to work on the trees. A luxury I had not really had for five years. I asked Frank Xu (www.potsforbonsai.com ) to make me a series of different fence units for the garden . In fact 39 pieces were made. Some of these were Japanese designs and some were Chinese but all would harmonise into the garden design I needed to make. 39 sections were normally too small an order for Frank as he needs 290 pieces to make up a container but he is a friend and helped me out in this instance but the freight was expensive for such a small order.

plus 20 large thick bamboo poles for me to make a feature and to edge of the exposed. These have to ce cut or split.
8cm x 8cm square fence support posts and other areas...

Bonsai Teacher