Thursday, September 24, 2009

A natural pergola, bosque style

I'm sold on the design idea of using a quadrant of trees spaced closely enough together so that their canopies form a natural overhead pergola.

I like this organic design feature because you have the flexibility in opening up ( via pruning ) the canopy of overhead branches to let in as much or as little light as you desire.

It is also quite appealing to watch the native fauna jumping and flying from branch to branch as a light wind rustles the branches back and forth above your head.

Below is a photo showing a bosque of Swan Hill Fruitless Olive trees in Marin County CA forming a natural pergola that overlooks a formal rose garden.

From Loropetalum chinese
Below is a photo taken in the winter 1999 of the same bosque.
This photo was taken about 9 to 12 months after we finished the installation.
From Loropetalum chinese

5 comments:

MulchMaid said...

That's a lovely effect, furthered in your winter picture, by the shorn lavender hedge defining the space. Nice!

Christine said...

Very cool! I didn't know that was called a bosque. I like how it means woodland in Spanish. A composed woodland!

Terri said...

WOW! Gorgeous! What other trees do you think would work well for this pergola style? They would have to be the right size, neat and clean, meaning they don't shed a lot of fruit leaves or twigs.

Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle said...

Hello Jane, Christine and Terri.
I like the thought of a 'composed woodland'.
Nice.
Terri, you nailed the requirements for a comfortable bosque : right size, neat and clean.
Though I have seen a quadrant of fruiting pear trees used in this same manner.

My favorite time to sit in this shady space is right after dead heading the roses.

Michelle

Phrago said...

I remember when you posted this to GW way back then. WQow, how the trees have grown! I love the wat the whole garden has softened with age. Beautiful... Phrago