Garden Photo of the Day

Make Curves out of Pie

Rachelle Koester from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan has a great solution for a pie-shaped property.

"I'd like to share some pictures of my garden. I have a large pie shaped lot that I wanted to appear smaller. By curving the corners of the yard, I was able to create large beds separated by grassy paths. I try to use mass plantings of showy flowers while paying close attention to shape, color and texture. It's a work in progress that I hope is never finished."

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Comments

  1. user-7007498 03/24/2016

    Rachelle: Well done. Beautiful mix of textures and shapes. The perennial/mixed borders are stunning. Love your pictures. I, too, am a fan of curves, as none of my garden beds contain a straight line (even the walk to my front door is curved). I think curved garden beds enhance the mystery and excitement of what is "around the corner (or curve)". The seating area in the 4th picture looks like a lovely place to relax. Thanks for sharing.

    1. diane_lasauce 03/24/2016

      I am told that curvy is good Feng Shui...keeps the devil confused...;-)

  2. frankgreenhalgh 03/24/2016

    Lovely garden and photography Rachelle. Yes curves create intrigue. Must be an art to mowing the grassy pathways.

  3. user-4691082 03/24/2016

    Wow, now that is a beautiful garden! The borders are so crisp! Do you do it all yourself? I sure hope you host garden tours in your area...I am sure your neighbors love to have an excuse to pop over! Thanks for sharing !

  4. diane_lasauce 03/24/2016

    SO pretty! And I can assure you that gardening is never finished...delightful photos too! Great effort! This has to be the perfect place to garden, as I see no fungal issues anywhere! Amazing!

  5. Quiltingmamma 03/24/2016

    What a great solution to a sometimes awkward shape. Then there is the lovely result. Such a beautiful garden and photos. I like the second to last one with the pink lily and spent allium head. Nice layers.

  6. staceycastleman 03/24/2016

    Absolutely love this. I had a large pie shaped backyard and and have been struggling to come up with a plan. Wondering if you have more pictures. Your space is breathtaking.

  7. greengenes 03/24/2016

    Curves are good! Pie shape works! You have created a beautiful place and putting these two designs together! Curves in a path seem to draw one forward. I love your colors, softness and the motion in your gardens! Your garden will never be done. Thats a fact of life with a garden! Have fun and enjoy your spring! Thanks for sharing with us!

  8. User avater
    meander_michaele 03/24/2016

    Rachelle, your generously curving pathways of green are such a perfect compliment to your gorgeously plant filled beds. Neither one without the other would look as grand. And that oh, so handsome mature tree is an additional wonderful element that gives your space elegance. I love how your have planted asiatic lilies to pop up amongst the foliage of the hosta and peonies...it is so sumptuous. Beautiful pictures and beautiful garden.

  9. wGardens 03/24/2016

    Absolutely wonderful! You have achieved your goal in grand fashion!!! Lovely photos. Thanks so much for sharing! What is the white flowering tree in photo 5?

    1. RachelleK 03/25/2016

      I think it's a serviceberry. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

  10. anitaberlanga 03/24/2016

    your garden is gorgeous! I love curves because they hint at what's to come - and in your garden 'what's to come' is glorious, indeed!

  11. Sunshine111 03/24/2016

    Your garden is exquisitely beautiful and your photos are not only stunning but very well composed! A real treat for me this gray morning in NH. Thank you so much!

  12. NCYarden 03/24/2016

    What a grand garden. I empathize with you, as my property is a pie piece as well. If you hadn't told me, I never would have guessed though. The curves are always a favorite aesthetic - very organic and certainly soften the sight lines. The large old tree is a fantastic anchor, and a nod to some history only it knows...how the land and garden have changed around it. Great variety of plants. Will be sweet to see all that is "unfinished" - in due time. Thanks for sharing.

  13. NWAgardener 03/24/2016

    Every picture is stunning! Your garden design, execution and maintenance - all superb. You are a landscaping and gardening artist!

  14. sheila_schultz 03/24/2016

    Beautiful gardens, Rachelle! Looking out from your home must bring a smile to your face season to season. The comforting curves of the crisp edges backed by sweeps of color and texture are perfection to the senses. Your photography is pretty darn great, too! Speaking of great... those edges are amazing!

  15. mariebulgin 03/24/2016

    I wholeheartedly agree with NWAgardener. It is gorgeous. What is the blue flower hanging from a container. Wow!

    1. NWAgardener 03/25/2016

      Hi Marie - the lavender/blue flowers are petunias.

  16. hontell 03/24/2016

    I love how the river of green gives a peaceful balance to the riot of color in the beds. Keep up the fantastic work.
    Howard

  17. VikkiVA 03/24/2016

    Oh my your garden is fantastic. Such beautiful composition of plant material in your curvy beds. I also have curvy beds and have always loved the feel they give the outdoor space. Is that a Sum and Substance Hosta towering above the other plants in your 8th picture? Vikki in VA.

    1. RachelleK 03/25/2016

      Yes that's a sum and substance.

  18. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 03/24/2016

    Nicely done!

  19. GrannyMay 03/24/2016

    Rachelle, great photos and a wonderful garden! Especially love the last 4 photos.

  20. GrannyCC 03/24/2016

    Congratulations your gardens are beautiful.

  21. CJgardens 03/24/2016

    Rachelle, beautiful gardens. I love all the flowering shrubs and trees. The curves and edges are impressive. I'm surprised by the lilies growing so exuberantly in the same light conditions favorable to hostas. I'm going to copy the idea of planting lilies near peonies.
    Central Wisconsin received about 8" of snow in the last 18 hrs. Should melt this weekend. I want Spring!!

    1. Luvfall 03/24/2016

      I'm also intrigued by the lilies amongst the hostas. I'm going to try that and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't turn into a Bambi buffet.

      1. RachelleK 03/25/2016

        The way the sun moves around the yard, the sum and substance is shaded by the big tree in the hot summer afternoon sun. They had another tree that shaded them a bit too but I cut it down this past winter so I am curious how it will change my garden. I will also keep my fingers crossed for you : )

    2. RachelleK 03/25/2016

      Thank you!! I put a lot of my lilies in morning sun. They seem to bloom just as well but tend to be a little smaller in height. I like to put allium and lilies with my peonies to get three blooms at three different times and I can hide the ugly legs and leaves.

  22. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 03/24/2016

    Rachelle, you've made your garden so soft looking with the curves and at the same time, vibrant with color. And your photography shows it off beautifully. It must be satisfying to have created such a great sanctuary. Is it covered in that nasty white stuff after this recent storm?

  23. thevioletfern 03/24/2016

    What a beautiful serene garden! Curves are where it's at! I love your combinations of grass and flowers - informal yet very formal with those perfectly maintained and edged beds - true perfection!

  24. Meelianthus 03/24/2016

    Rachelle ~ Your photography is stunning and your gardens are just beautiful. I love all of your textures and mix of plantings, you have done a lovely job with an oddly shaped lot that doesn't even look odd at all. A sign of a true gardener is one who enjoys the 'work in progress' and the hope that it is never finished.

  25. User avater
    HelloFromMD 03/24/2016

    Gorgeous. You had me with the white picket fence framing the flowers.

  26. Cenepk10 03/25/2016

    Oh my Lord. Thought I was in heaven for a moment... So lush, meticulous & colorful..... What a fantastic design for that lot !!!!! I'm literally light-headed from seeing your garden pics.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

  27. darylsavage 03/25/2016

    Gorgeous! People like to dis grass nowadays, but your photos remind us of how good it can be when it is used like this.

  28. perenniallycrazy 03/25/2016

    Well done!

  29. ClareRocky 03/25/2016

    WOW! I love the curves, crisp edges and the riot of color in the beds, What a fabulous garden!

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