When I built my terrace, I decided it would be a place for outdoor living and outdoor relaxing.
To make it harmonious, both within itself and with its surroundings, its colors must be in soft low notes, with just a touch of brilliance for emphasis.
The 15-foot-square terrace is paved with flagstones and enclosed by low retaining walls on two sides. An 18”-inch-wide strip along the base of the walls left unpaved gives me flower beds.
The Succession Of Spring
For a succession of spring blooms, plant lavender crocus along the front of the bed, backed by daffodils and red tulips.
As summer approaches, I add petunias in cool, solid blocks of blue or white among the bulbs.
One retaining wall parallels the garage, where the dry soil is perfect for New Jersey tea shrubs.
These are low-growing and bloom in July when their dainty cool-white flowers are welcome as others are scarce.
The row is flanked at either end by a single Grootendorst rose, which rewards me all summer with its rich red bouquet.
The other wall runs along a busy highway, so beyond it, I planted two rows of shrubs for privacy.
Foliage of Snowberry
The thick, clean foliage of the snowberry droops over the top of the wall in the foreground.
Behind it, the taller winged euonymus greets the autumn in a rosy, scarlet, and crimson dress.
White alyssum neatly climbs beside the steps, and a blanket of Baltic ivy mantles my outdoor fireplace.
Morning Sun
The morning sun, filtering through the weeping willow, changes the flagstones’ patterns.
And in the afternoon, I enjoy the light shade cast by the pale green leaves of my gray birches.
My terrace, attuned to the seasons, is my private paradise.
44659 by Marvin Holley Gage