When it comes to dressing, style mavens and mothers have strongly suggested for years, that one leave something to the imagination. In this time of TMI, there's even a smart-chic blog called Always a Lady that kindly advises young women on the art of elegance, poise and putting some freakin' clothes on.
A little mystery goes a long ways. This same concept applies to your garden.
I've known of this design principle and experienced it before; with a twist on the path or a tantalizing backyard gate. While walking the streets and squares (pronounced in two syllables as squay-ahs) in the historic district of Savannah this week, I became even more convinced of the power of promise.
Set an obstacle between me and a beautiful garden and I become the nosiest-Nancy. There I was sticking my eye up to the crack in the boards of a garden door, poking my camera lens through the fretwork and filigree of an ironwork fence, searching out a thin spot among vines. The tighter the view, the more determined I was to take it in; anxious to see yet another secret garden of Savannah.
They don't disappoint.
All that business about enclosure, framing the view and focal points. All that stuff about symmetry and serpentine lines. All the fuss about foliage when flowers are few. These small spaces are some of the most successful and satisfying gardens I've ever seen.
Enjoy the view without all the embarrassment, I took care of that already. The things I do for my readers...
A little tease... The Garden Buzz
Then the full view... The Garden Buzz
A sneak peak...behind the Juliette Gordon Low home The Garden Buzz
Red Leaf Banana Trees at each corner by the fountain The Garden Buzz
These adorable lambs greet visitors...and snoops The Garden Buzz
