Aqualens, Palm, Banana and Bamboo Garden
The beginning: While touring Longview Garden, we turned the corner of the house and saw the "Aqualens". We were stunned; envy struck us: "Can we get one of those?" The gardener wasn't sure who the sculptor was, so began our quest. My breakthrough came from a call to Michigan: "It's not us, but I know who it is." she said, "It's Alison Armour." We found her and ordered the Aqualens.
We had recently cleared an invasive Autumn Olive that was crowding out everything around it. This left a circle that was just right for the Aqualens. Mr "Landscaper" installed a five foot wide flagstone circle with a five foot center. The Aqualens went there (after we ran power from the house, which is another story).
Mr "Gardener"suggested palm and banana trees to surround it. So he planted them.
Continuing Saga: Later we saw Black Bamboo: Beautiful! Envy struck. "Can we get some for our garden?" Everyone said, "Don't do it! It is too invasive." After consultations with experts, one suggested that "a concrete pot (with walls six inches thick and 24 inches down) might contain it. You'll have to wait five years to see if it escapes." So Mr "Builder" built the pot, but with 30 inch walls (no bottom to the pot) then planted our Black Bamboo. No escapees yet, but 2017 is five years.
Stunning: Returning tourists always want to see the Aqualens again.
We had recently cleared an invasive Autumn Olive that was crowding out everything around it. This left a circle that was just right for the Aqualens. Mr "Landscaper" installed a five foot wide flagstone circle with a five foot center. The Aqualens went there (after we ran power from the house, which is another story).
Mr "Gardener"suggested palm and banana trees to surround it. So he planted them.
Continuing Saga: Later we saw Black Bamboo: Beautiful! Envy struck. "Can we get some for our garden?" Everyone said, "Don't do it! It is too invasive." After consultations with experts, one suggested that "a concrete pot (with walls six inches thick and 24 inches down) might contain it. You'll have to wait five years to see if it escapes." So Mr "Builder" built the pot, but with 30 inch walls (no bottom to the pot) then planted our Black Bamboo. No escapees yet, but 2017 is five years.
Stunning: Returning tourists always want to see the Aqualens again.
Left: Black Bamboo; Middle: Banana; L to R around Aqualens: Palm; and Aqualens
