Wonderful Reincarnation Of The Ravine

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Having a deep enemy on the site, many try to sow grass in order to prevent water erosion of the soil. Forgetting about him for years to come. Only rare enthusiasts turn the "minuses" of the relief into beautiful "pluses"

My godmother inherited from her mother-in-law a land plot of 6 acres with a house and outbuildings. Its main part is located on level ground. There are planted: cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes. A greenhouse was built from cellular polycarbonate for heat-loving vegetables.

At the end of the site there is a very deep ravine. The difference in height is more than 3 meters. Previously, there were impenetrable thickets of cherry bushes plus an old apple tree. From the herbaceous cover, runny and nettles predominated.

Having a great desire to improve the plot, the family set to work together. They chopped down an old apple tree, cut out dry cherry trunks, leaving a few young bushes. We laid out a path of rubble (we have clay soils). To make it convenient to descend to the bottom of the ravine in any weather, they erected steps with railings. Soon the area was transformed beyond recognition!

At the very bottom, near the fence with neighbors, there is the most shady, damp area. A small artificial pond made of a plastic container with ducks on the water surface and figures (gnome, frog, heron) on its shore is organically located here.

The area around the reservoir is covered with gravel. When guests arrive, they put a portable grill here.

Opposite is a very original bench supported by two cute red squirrels. Here, in hot hours, you can sit under the shade of a maple tree, take a break from work, watching living inhabitants: lizards, frogs.

Once the hostess witnessed such a picture. She went down into the ravine, and there a real frog-princess sits on one bird, only the crown was not enough for her. This creature hugged a duck by the neck and rolled around the pond. And such an expression of supreme bliss was on her face! Apparently the animal has already done this procedure more than once. It is a pity that at this moment there was no camera at hand to capture such an interesting shot!

Near the fence are planted: buzulnik, phlox, lilies, daylilies, black cohosh, miscanthus, microbiota. The slope from the side of the pond at the beginning of June turns into an openwork blue "sky" created by thickets of large-flowered varietal forget-me-nots. Sown 5 years ago, it still sprouts every year by self-sowing.

Hosts, ferns, Anderson's Tradescantia, ground cover (Ayuga, sedum), forest pine, junipers, goji berries, sea buckthorn, pink spiria climb up the slope, creating an excellent composition in several levels, completely covering the soil. The formation of the crown in conifers follows the bonsai principle. By their nature, tall specimens turn into bizarre "dwarfs", thanks to the annual pruning of leaders and side branches. From a distance, sea buckthorn looks like a low-growing palm tree (the lower part is bare, the top stretches towards the sun).

On the opposite side there is an incredible number of different species of primroses, hellebores, forest fir, rocky juniper, Konik spruce, several varieties of host, kupena.

We climb the path up the hill, on both sides we are greeted by: thuja, Korean fir with blue cones, mountain pine, cypress trees, weeping larch, boxwood, aquilegia, holly mahonia, grass carnation with blue foliage.

In total, there are more than 40 units of conifers on the site. They form the basis of the composition; herbaceous perennials suitable for decoration are planted around them.

The picture is completed by an arch with climbing roses on one side and maiden grapes on the other, at the end of the path.

What are the advantages of a terrain rugged with depressions:

1. According to the plan, the ravine is listed as only 1 hundred square meters. Due to the uneven relief and the difference in heights in nature, it increases by 3 times.

2. Large area. As a rule, flower lovers always do not have enough space for their "pets". Here, there is room not only for plants, but also for the embodiment of the most incredible fantasies of the hostess.

3. Different lighting. All 3 types are organically combined: shade, partial shade, sunshine.

4. Natural coolness, even in the hottest weather.

5. Creation of small terraces in combination with ground covers strengthens the slopes, reducing water erosion.

6. Ability to plant plants with different requirements for living conditions.

Blooming does not stop all summer. Some plants pass the baton to others, trying to please the caring mistress. Charge her with great mood for the whole day.

No wonder they say that "life does not stand still." So here, the desire to bring something original to an already existing composition pushes to purchase new copies.

Most of the plants are ordered by mail from collectors. Some species are purchased on the market, in stores, and donated by children. As long as there are still empty pieces of land, this process cannot be stopped. And that's great! Let's hope that "beauty will save the world" !!! Let it be endless in this small area.