As we head into the cooler autumn months, I’ve been reflecting on a few garden projects, notably thrifting, painting, and arranging mirrors along the corner garden fence.
I’ve hung mirrors in the garden before, and continue to enjoy the placement. (summer, 2021) Why look at a dull, brown fence when you can hang mirrors instead?
It wasn’t easy finding mirrors. I went to several thrift stores before my luck changed, and I found four mirrors at one of our local Goodwill Industries shops. Three of the mirrors had black frames, and the fourth was a shiny silver. I painted it a warmer color and hung it above my wall-mounted fairy garden.
I hung the remaining three mirrors on the fence under the tree, only to realize I needed a few more to fill the space. Eventually, I found enough mirrors to fit the bill, and I’m pleased with the extra light and reflection they bring to that corner.
About a year ago, I made another change by removing the ferns growing under the orange tree in the same corner. The orange tree is about fifty years old, so the fruit it produces is no longer sweet. Further, the oranges are challenging to harvest. When we were younger, I climbed on the ladder to get some of the low-hanging fruit, but it wasn’t all that safe. We bought one of those extending poles with a fruit-gathering basket on the end, but it proved cumbersome. It also tended to break the branch with the fruit. The tree continues to provide shade and the wonderful scent of orange blossoms, but it had become a dumping ground of partially consumed fruit from hungry overnight critters. In the end, I hired a tree service to prune the tree, fruit and all, away from the fence. We’ve enjoyed a year without the mess of rotting oranges, fruit flies, and broken branches. I wish I had thought of it sooner.
Note: Move the slider, below, to see the orange tree and ferns, a year apart.
The last adjustment involved moving a molded panel with a leaf motif to disguise the enclosed compost system. Mike attached one side of the panel to the fence, and we repurposed a post to support the other side.
These changes opened up the space, allowing us to add a couple of chairs and small tables to accompany the glider. Removing the ferns lets us see the rock wall and the plants behind it, and we can now walk to and from the compost bin, especially in the wetter months, without rubbing up against wet ferns. I put down gravel and the self-seeded nasturtiums are coming up as predicted. They’re easier to manage, lower in height, and beautiful.
Another significant change to the garden involved removing our beautiful wisteria. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but in the end, it made sense. I’ll write more about that this week.
Gardening Nirvana 
A garden is on-going process. Things come and things go. Holy cats, what a thrill it must be to have an orange tree in the garden.
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Laurie, it’s a thrill to have a garden that lives in the earth and not pots. My gardening was limited to pots for many years as I lived in rented houses or apartments. We bought this house in 1996, seven months after we were married. It’s a gift that I never take for granted, The orange tree came with the house.
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The anonymous comment was made by me, Laurie Graves. Been having WordPress issues lately.
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You’re not the only one. I’m not sure why these issues persist. Thanks or letting me know it was you, Laurie.
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I’ve never grown orange trees so forgive this question if it is too obvious. Will you have to trim the orange tree each year? The area certainly looks nice with your adjustments.
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Thank you, Judy. I’m really pleased with the sitting area. We started having lunch there on the nice summer days, and we had friends over for appetizers and dinner, starting with time under the orange tree.
My reading tells me I’ll need to keep pruning the tree, and the number of green oranges currently on the tree bares that out. I’m hoping I can stretch it to every other year, and I’ll know more by next spring.
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I didn’t know that old orange trees produced bitter fruit. When we lived briefly in the Phoenix area our friends had several orange trees in their front yard. One they called the ‘bitter orange’ tree and I always assumed that was a specific type.
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Laura, thank you for your questions. You’ve sent me on an interesting Google adventure. Orange trees can live between 50 and 100 years, but the best fruit production begins in years 2 – 5, and by twenty years, production declines. Most professional orchards replace their trees every twenty years. Our boys used to make orange juice and set up a lemonade stand (orange juice stand) when they were young. The trees are also sensitive to both over and underwatering. We’ve had many years of drought in our area, so I imagine that has impacted the tree as well. It’s a beautiful tree with glossy green leaves and a nice shape, so I hope it remains healthy.
Bitter oranges are a different variety. They’re used for making things like marmalade, or for cooking.
In just one year the foliage is as dense as ever and green fruit is forming on the tree. I may need to have it trimmed every other year if this process continues. I hoped it might last a bit longer. Thanks for reading.
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Your sitting area looks most inviting. I like that moulded panel a lot.
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Thank you!
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Sometimes plants outgrow their space or our needs change so there are always adjustments to be made. I like the mirrors!
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Indeed! Thank you so much.
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We’re surrounded by neighbours who have a variety of citrus trees, from kumquats to mandarins to navel oranges to bush lemons. And the bird life is determined to share the bounty with us, so we have the detritus without the benefit of the fruit ourselves. You do have to be quite aggressive with pruning, I’ve observed. Meanwhile, I dream of having my own blood orange, bergamot, Tahitian lime… and then I remember the mess!
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So true, Kate.
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It certainly looks like a lovely spot to sit in the evenings Alys. 😃 It’s sometimes hard to make changes in the garden, but this seems to have worked perfectly.
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Thank you, Cathy.
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You are moving your garden to perfection! I love the mirrors on the fence and congrats on opening up the space. Wonderful photos!
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Thank you so much!
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I love gardening but have found aging does not agree with the work. Making things simpler in the yard is a good plan. Wisteria is beautiful but requires much maintenance. Look forward to reading more.
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Exactly!
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What a great idea those mirrors were! They look great, Alys. I was interested to read about your fern removal. I have quite a large patch of ferns that are just beautiful … for about 2 months. Then because there is not enough shade cover, they turn brown, die, and look awful. I am contemplating removing …. we shall see!
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Thank you, LB. Our property is small compared to yours, and as such we all have fences. It’s nice having options to break up the space and refelct the garden. Unless you can provide shade for your ferns, like a tree that shelters them during the heat, taking them out is a good option. I look forward to hearing more about it.
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Oh, how I love mirrors in a garden, Alys! Your wooden fence provides the perfect backdrop for your beautiful collection of mirrors!! Absolutely lovely! I adore your ‘new’ seating area near your orange tree. All of the changes have made such a difference. The uplighting is a perfect invitation to come sit and talk in the evening! So lovely, my friend!!
🩷Dawn
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Dawn, thank you! I often think of your term “right sizing the garden” or at least that’s how I remember it. Some of the changes will allow me to continue caring for the garden with ease.
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