This has to be one of my most popular posts. I am not sure why, did everyone like the idea of me risking life and limb,to climb up on my roof? I know why I like it, I get such a great view of my garden, and I am hoping, in a few years, when the hedges start to thicken,you will not be able to see from one room into the other (except in strategic places). This will be the only way to see the whole garden at one time. It is nice to be able to look back over the years and (hopefully) see lots of changes. Last year, I took the photos in early April, so not a lot was in flower at that point. This year I had to wait until early May, I don’t think Ian would be happy about me climbing on the roof without him there to supervise. So you can see the garden is much further along.
In the front, the ‘Magic Fire’ witch hazel is placed against the cedar backdrop. The scilla at the bottom of the photo surround the ‘Daybreak’ magnolia.
The muscari in the Lime Walk are thickening up. On the right, the path will lead into the Yew Garden, on the left, I need to move the plants to create a path to the croquet Lawn.
The Serviceberry Allee at the top of the photo, leads into the Kitchen Garden.
Here you can see the Flora Glade and Kitchen Garden in closer detail.
Maybe one day I will learn how to post photos side by side, so you (and I)can see the difference from one year to the other.
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Barbara H. said,
May 19, 2011 @ 8:16 AM
I’m just happy I discovered the click to enlarge feature! Everything is really coming along, isn’t it? Thanks for the update from above.
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:33 PM
It is finally!!! coming along. Most of the major work is in place, just waiting for plants and hedges to grow! Till I am there full time, I still have some vacant space.
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
May 19, 2011 @ 9:40 AM
Great post Deborah! You know how much I love these! Great to see the layout from this perspective, everything is coming along nicely! How much longer will you stay in Canada?
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:33 PM
I did it just for you, Rebecca. I leave on May 29th, boo hoo.
Jess said,
May 19, 2011 @ 9:08 PM
I just did the same thing (aerial shot) a blog ago, and yes, the answer is definitely the roof shots give people a sense of what we are looking at, even though its a perspective that you don’t actually have in the garden at all!
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:34 PM
It is so great to see it up there isn’t it, although everything looks smaller than I expected.
teza said,
May 19, 2011 @ 9:19 PM
D:
What a refreshing perspective, this coming from one who is deathly afraid of heights! It is so nice to compare the two views to see the progress KG undegone! I especially love the last shot that gives a wonderful sense of perspective….. and I will forever rave about the blue focal point…. I would paint my house that colour if I could, with whipped buttery yellow shutters and eaves….. sorry, got carried away!
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:35 PM
Well, I didn’t get too close to the edge, had to crop out the roof in some of the photos.
Pauline Mulligan said,
May 20, 2011 @ 1:19 PM
A birds eye view of your garden, fantastic! Love the touches of blue, they really stand out.
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:35 PM
Glad you liked it, I must get more blue, my favourite colour.
Elephant's Eye said,
May 21, 2011 @ 3:43 PM
And you Deborah? What do you think? I’d say you’re making very satisfying progress! The muscari are lovely.
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:36 PM
I do love the muscari Diana, I remember seeing them in Rosemary Vereys garden, and was determined to copy it.
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
May 21, 2011 @ 8:51 PM
How did you do this? I would have been so scared up there. Nice perspective though, but the risk? The garden is really looking good and it looks like quite a bit to care for.
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:37 PM
I have a flat roof, but I was still a bit nervous. Thank goodness for the zoom.
Donna said,
May 22, 2011 @ 7:19 PM
I love the gardens from this view and the wonderful kitchen garden…mine is so much more messy…I go to the bedroom and shoot from there …never thought of the roof…of course I am afraid of heights so it would be out of the question..
kilbournegrove said,
May 26, 2011 @ 1:37 PM
It just looks neat in the spring, then gets quite overgrown.