Sunday, April 18, 2010

Is There A Reason To Look Out Your Window?

We should all have a reason to look out a window, whether it be to look at who is passing, the dawn, the sunset, the stars, a storm, but most important what we have in our landscapes should be the best reason of all. 

I went around the inside of my home the other day peering out each and every window and, to my amazement, I did have points of interest through just about every window.  I am not sure that this was a major concern when I was landscaping this blank slate.  However, I do remember thinking about the placement of the Chanticleer Pear and the Star Magnolia.  Each one of these specimens fills my view as I look from my dining room windows, the Pear straight ahead and the Magnolia to the side.  I still have some views to improve on my shade side of the garden.

As I move to the living room windows, which are in the shape of a bay, there are flowers visible from all angles.  When I pull up the sheer shades, it always reminds me of that old story The Night Before Christmas when they threw open the shutters and pulled up the sash and saw that magical scene of Santa and his sleigh.  Oh, sorry, I got carried away, but throw back your curtains, pull up your shades and see what you have outside your windows.  Is it interesting?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Eileen, You really are most fortunate [but I think that you have planned very carefully] to have such treats and pretty views visible from the windows of your house. Your magnolia is, of course, quite spectacular.

I absolutely do believe in the importance when planning or designing a garden of starting from the house and working out.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Eileen, you really do have the most enviable views from your windows. I can see my star magnolia through the sitting room window! Its petals are falling now - such fleeting beauty:-)

Jeanne
x

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Edith,

I guess I did much of the view planning unconsciously because I do love to look out the windows. Gordon Hayward also suggested we go upstairs (if possible) and look down. I am new to doing this and observing the layout of the garden,

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jeanne,

I have a great many windows in this home which can be a problem when it gets very warm or very cold.

However, I think it's worth it for the view.

Eileen

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

Eileen great views from your windows, mine are still a work in progress. But I did go up stairs (on my roof actually) and take pictures looking down on my garden. I put them up on my blog last week if you are interested in taking a look.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Deborah, you are really brave. I will look at your sight to see the photos.

Eileen

joey said...

You are blessed with great views, Eileen, something else we have in common :)

garden girl said...

Pretty views Eileen.

Our den has a picture window and sliding doors looking out onto the patio and garden. I love it. Upstairs, the guest bedroom and bath have the best garden views. I've taken many pictures from those windows. I enjoy looking at the garden from above.

Mr Brown Thumb said...

We got new windows this year and throwing open the curtains in the morning to see what's blooming outside has been a lot of fun. It is like a Christmas surprise every day.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Joey,

You certainly do have great views. I really enjoyed the photos of your home and gardens.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Garden Girl and Mr. Brown Thumb,

It is wonderful that you both have great views. I appreciate these views more and more as I blog and take photos.

Eileen

Becca's Dirt said...

I have views that are pretty too. Though not all of my windows can say that. Work-in-progress.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Becca, I know what you mean. I kind of forgot about that north side, planted but nothing tall enough to see through the windows.

Eileen