Comments on: Great Garden Gates

By: Jayne (Green and Serene)

Jayne (Green and Serene) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:16:04 +0000

What a wonderful collection of gates. While I don’t think we could have a fanciful gate in our suburban neighborhood, you’ve given me the idea of creating a fence and gate within the garden, from the main garden to the, as yet unstarted side garden. Thanks for the inspiration.

By: commonweeder

commonweeder — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:01:48 +0000

I visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in 2008 where they were having a temporary exhibit of garden gates created by local artists. Amazing.
http://www.commonweeder.com/2008/09/11/

Very cool. Thanks for letting us know! Debra

By: Jan (ThanksFor2Day)

Jan (ThanksFor2Day) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:34:48 +0000

Great gates, photos and thoughts, Debra;-) I need to replace gates on both sides of our yard (next to the house) and this has given me food for thought. Mine needs to be quite simple but I have a couple of ideas already!

Hi, Jan –I love your wildlife photography and the premise for your blog—so uplifting. Thanks for stopping by, and do let us know how those gates progress, OK? Debra

By: healingmagichands

healingmagichands — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:10:08 +0000

I love all those gates, especially the wrought iron ones. I wonder what you would make of the “gate” into my back yard that isn’t really a gate yet since the actual gate hasn’t been built! That actually gives quite good insight into the procrastinators and very busy people who live here. . .

Then there is the gate between the inner back yard and the outer part that is actually never closed now that Ruby has learned to stay in her own yard. That also speaks to the people who live here who get tired of opening that gate every time they need to hang a load of wash or go out to the vegetable garden.

I like the gates that are embellished with living plants, although I have to say that I have enough plants in the ground demanding my attentions (and not really getting enough) that it would never occur to me to put one on a gate in a container so I would then have to tend to it every day. I suppose it would never be neglected, though, since I go through my gates numerous times every day.

I’ve seen ivy growing on a gate that was opened and closed several times a day. The ropy stem of the plant was flexible enough to withstand the movement. Plants are nothing if not resilient! Debra

By: Lois J. de Vries

Lois J. de Vries — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:29:14 +0000

Thanks for the quote, Debra.
Regards, Lois

And thanks for your good info! Debra

By: Jane Auerbach

Jane Auerbach — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:24:17 +0000

Thanks, Debra, for that lovely compliment! I’m honored that you’d consider my photos for your book, especially as I own “Designing with Succulents” and love the photography in the book.

As a Master Gardener, I visit a lot of amazing private gardens for our continuing education requirement, and have photos (much more than is online) encompassing some particularly gorgeous and/or unusual plants and plantings–let me know if there’s ever something particular you’re looking for.

BTW, since the HTML on the rustic grapevine fence didn’t work, here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nowhereonearth/2684965148/in/set-72157607762820328/

Hi, Jane — Intriguing idea, and very colorful. Thanks! Debra

By: rebecca sweet

rebecca sweet — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:33:19 +0000

What a beautiful idea for a post – love the concept of a gate swinging open to the new decade! And I LOVE the ocean gate – just stunning!

Those succulent wreaths…gorgeous! I ordered one for Michelle G. (Fine Gardening) this past Christmas from a woman down your way (dessert succulents.com) and as we were talking she said some of her wreaths were featured in your new book – what a coincidence!! (she said you were just ‘lovely’, by the way…)

Thanks again for the great photographs!

Thank you, Sweet Rebecca! If I had a garden gate, it would definitely be adorned with a succulent wreath, or perhaps with a flat-backed pot filled with succulents. Debra

By: the inadvertent farmer

the inadvertent farmer — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:02:02 +0000

Wow…those are great! I have the wood sitting in my garage for 6 gates, you have inspired me to add a little personality to each, thanks! Kim

Hi, Kim — And you’ve inspired me as well. Re your Jan. 9 blog post, I love the reflections in chrome. My city (Escondido, CA) has a “Cruisin’ Grand” event once a week, where owners of classic cars park along Grand Ave and cruise this main street. Now, thanks to you, I can’t wait to take my camera and shoot some chrome. Debra

By: Whitney Freeman-Kemp

Whitney Freeman-Kemp — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:26:47 +0000

This is a great collection of gates. And isn’t it amazing, the impact of just focusing on one garden detail and looking at all of its incarnations? I recently did a study of stone walls, but didn’t take pictures, now I think I should! What a great source of inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

Doors are wonderful, too. I was looking at a salmon-pink front door today on a Spanish-style home with clay roof tiles the same color—striking. I wish I’d shot more doors when in Santa Fe, NM. Debra

By: Connie Williams

Connie Williams — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:38:57 +0000

Ooooh! Nice article, Debra. The gates are all wonderful, but the last is my favorite…..a touch of mystery, yet just enough privacy, contrasting colors and textures…..really lovely!

Connie, you’re a wonderful artist—I treasure your comments. Yes, Ingrid Rose had a remarkable eye for design. And she was from England…can you tell? Debra