Arborvitaes

East 2008

The arborvitaes are adorned with snow. Again. They are two perfect rows of Christmas trees framing the garden east and west. We planted the east arborvitaes in 2001 because we felt exposed to the neighbor closest to the cottage. They are huge now and the space between them has long since closed.

East 2004

 In 2001, the neighbor on the west was an elderly lady that became a good friend and a champion of the garden. She loved the view from her east windows, so we left the space open. When she sold the house, we found ourselves living next door to the neighbors from hell. We discussed a privacy fence, but once again settled on the idea of a living barrier.

For the west side 2009

After planting the west shrubs, they were repeatedly kicked over by someone who hated beauty. My sweet husband would go out daily and right them and once again stomp the dirt around the roots. I watered and prayed they’d make it.

Kicked over 2009

These neighbors clearly proved that, “You reap what you sow,” when the patriarch was shot dead on the porch during a summer party. This was traumatic for all of us, except the arborvitaes, which chugged on. About a year or so later, we again had good neighbors. They erected a privacy fence, which once again changed the garden dynamics. Now I have a place to hide my big pots!

West 2012

A living fence of arborvitaes absorbs sound in addition to wind protection. As you can see, these guys are not instant gratification as far a privacy goes, but well worth the wait.

West Early Spring 2013