Frisbee Lawn Arch

This archway leads from the driveway through onto the Frisbee Lawn. This archway is planted each side with a climbing Iceberg rose.

These roses are no nonsense roses, pruned and deadheaded with the hedge-clippers. One Iceberg rose was already here when we arrived, terrorising the fence. On the opposite side of the arch I planted a cutting-grown Iceberg.

It's a little close to the lime conifer and is struggling in the drier soil. The conifer itself is gradually getting too big, and one day soon I will have to make a decision about its future.

Dry Sandy Soil

The plantings underneath this arch have to survive the very dry and sandy soil. In spring there are all shades and designs of blue and yellow pansies, as well as basic blue flowering geraniums, at the base of the rose. Spring daffodils, blue aquilegias and a red flax fill the rest of the space.

In summer, after Iceberg's first flush of flowers, the clumps of wine red daylilies start to flower. I cut the geranium foliage right back and within a month it has new fresh ferny growth. The Heuchera at the path edge and the neighbouring reddish brown tussock echo the wine colouring of the flax and the daylilies.

Then there's the second flush of rose flowers to look forward to. These later blooms are often pinker than the first flowers. The brown tussock grass glows with rich autumnal reds and gold.

Sheep vs Taj-Dog

When the sheep are brought into the Frisbee Lawn to graze, this arch is blocked by a red portable electric fence. The first time it was put up Taj-dog decided to race in to check the sheep out. He came to a sudden shocking halt. He has never made the same mistake again.