Yesterday a garden visitor asked me what I was intending to cover my black pergola with. I felt mildly shocked – I love it just as it is. He seemed equally shocked that I would permit unadorned black wood in my garden. I wondered why he picked on that?
However, when we began the garden and made the original pergola it was specifically intended as a support for roses, and did quite well in that role until it rotted and needed replacing. Once replaced I looked at it and thought how much better it would be empty. Looked cool, I thought, in my rather dated way.
Now is that simply changing fashion? Or has my exposure to so many gardens over the last twenty years changed my taste? – I know I am pleased by a cleaner, leaner look now, perhaps the simpler the better. I wonder how I would design the garden if I was beginning it now instead of a quarter of a century ago?
I love it. The black gives it a light touch (at least in the photo), almost like a light sketch laid over the garden, emphasizing perspective (I imagine) and adding a layer of meaning, or perhaps I mean suggests a new perspective. It makes visitors ask the question, ” Why didn’t she grow roses over it?”. Mostly, it works visually.
Thanks James – next time I’m asked about the lack of roses I shall say..”my good friend James Golden says…” !
I know I’m winning now. XXXXX
Nice post AnneWareham 🙂