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| First There Was One |
Remember this stump M and I placed in the front garden in the succulents border?
It was soon joined by this partially decomposed stump that I had in the back garden from when the pyracantha bush was cut down:
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| Then There Were Two |
Then, I added some of the branches we had cut down from the bottlebrush tree:
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| And More |
They joined the other branches that were already in place, which were originally placed as an edging for the beds, which are more or less covered by the succulents and the osteospermum:
What on earth are you trying to do, Bless?
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| Existing Branches Already in Place |
What on earth are you trying to do, Bless?
Well, I've been watching some gardening videos and learning about "stumperies". They are made by placing stumps and upturned roots as a garden feature, usually in a shady part of the garden, and planted with ferns and other shade loving plants. They provide shelter for small garden animals and insects and as they slowly decompose, add nutrients to the soil. In my garden, I'm placing the couple of stumps that I have and some branches among the succulents. I am still in the process of tweaking the branches into what I consider to be a pleasing arrangement. Currently, it looks like I dropped an armful of firewood in front of the succulents!
Maybe I need to ask Gardener M to bring me another stump or two. However, he is not sold on the idea of a stumpery. LOL.
I placed the extra branches in the back yard, next to the side wall - I'm in the process of weeding this area, but, there are asparagus ferns growing here, as well, and they will grow through and over the branches in no time.
What do you think? Would you consider having a stumpery in your garden?
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| A Second Stumpery in the Making |
I love interesting pieces of wood. Besides, if a stumpery is good enough for King Charles (he has a vast one in his garden at Highgrove), then it is good enough for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I've seen videos of the King's garden and it is lovely! It'll be interesting to see how my much smaller efforts turn out!
DeleteMy sister in law has a stumpery. Nowhere to put one in my garden.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can put in a mini stumpery in a small corner of your garden?
DeleteI like your stumpery so far!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie; it's a bit of a work in progress!
DeleteI must admit there is a bit in the back of the garden like that. I think it's why we get such a variety of wildlife as they have somewhere to shelter and to hide.
ReplyDeleteThey are supposed to give shelter to wildlife; I imagine the garden lizards will be happy of a shady spot in which to hide during the summer.
DeleteI am not sure if I would want one or not. I know I would never have them against the house because of termites.
ReplyDeleteI, too, wouldn't have one near the house if termites are a problem. I want to give it a try and, as I told M, we can always take it down if I decide I don't want a stumpery, after all! Or, maybe relocate it to the backyard.
DeleteI have the stump of the rowan tree I had to have cut down but I can't add branches as Tilly likes to go in the raised bed where the tree stump is. I like your idea Bless. I do have the insect hotel that my daughter bought for me but not sure any insects use it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your rowan tree stump can be a stumpery of one! I've seen pictures of stumps with a planter placed on top and if you plant a few flowering plants around the stump, you might be able to have a little garden feature. Maybe place your insect hotel nearby?
DeleteAn interesting idea & I look forward to seeing it progress. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou. :)
DeleteMy sister has dug up several roots from big bushes and made tables out of them among other things. I find the intricate structure of the roots very pretty. I like stumps in beds but we don't have any right now.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of making tables from the dug up roots! Roots can be quite sculptural.
DeleteI think it's a wonderful idea. I have an old stump in my garden. The wildlife love it, and it also makes a great seating area for cats! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. Glad to hear that you, too, have an old stump in your garden and the cats enjoy it! :)
DeleteI absolutely love that idea. It feels right - having nature working around the wood and the plants. Gardens that are too regimented are sterile things. I hope that you can keep sharing pics of this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. I like more natural looking gardens. I will definitely share more pictures of the stumpery as it develops. :)
DeleteI like the entire idea and your usage of things you have hanging around - even if the stumps have to be found off site ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to following your progress.
Thank you, Debra; M brought me another piece of stump on Friday. Haven't placed it, yet.
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