A real, wild jungle is almost maintenance free (or rather self maintaining, striking its own balance).
Not so much for a suburban and contrived jungle garden. It needs lots of maintenance and the balance is struck by the gardener.
Our supervisor overseeing the work we're doing.
The maintenance is mostly cutting back. With the summer reaching its peak here, growth is very fast and the lush look is easily achieved. To keep the balance and let in more light in the 'jungle' lots of cutting back needs to be done.
Lots to cut, lots to clear!
Most of the scenes you see here are by the bottom patio which is part of the jungle area at the farthest point from the house in our garden.
Let there be more light!
Our canopy along the jungle walk
If you can see through the greenery you can just about notice something new in this area...a concrete block wall which is the new garden outbuilding/garage our neighbor built on his property.
I spy something new...
A concrete wall! But our plants are doing a good job so far screening it
An 'ugly' wall as a backdrop, something to be annoyed with? In theory yes but in reality neither of us are bothered with it. First it's in their property so they can do what they want within what's permitted and legal. Second, I'd rather have that than the prospect of having a large trampoline at the bottom of their garden. By having that outbuilding it means that trampoline scenario is not going happen at all.In fact we gained two significant positives which is an enhanced privacy at the bottom of our garden and the area becoming even more sheltered with less cold winter winds passing through it and the occurrence of frost significantly decreasing as well as settling of snow.
A quad of Aloe suprafoliata gracing the edge of the pond.
And everyone should have a graceful Podocarpus growing in a pot!
One of the views through the jungle walkway
Our neighbor offered us several options to help blend in or soften the look of the wall facing us, almost free reign (apart from smashing it of course). And we promptly did...nothing! So many options we're considering and with life too busy we opted to just let it be for now as it's not bothering us that much. Perhaps something for 2017!Mark :-)
