So what’s one to do if they have this garden bench in their front yard but don’t wish to keep moving it to mow under it? Welcome to my newly ivy covered garden bench.
The position of this garden bench happened by accident. Every time we mow, I generally move it into the soil area where the plants are. One day I just found it easer to roll it right into the ivy growth surrounding the tree. And then I thought… that’s not a bad idea! And left it.
And that’s when the ivy took over and just did its thing. Which suits me just fine! I think it looks pretty cool.
No more moving that bench around. Such an easy fix, all due to a little laziness.
Plunk a bench into your garden and turn it into a productive feature… wish I had thought of this 7 years ago!
Ahh ivy….you think it looks natural and rustic and then it reveals its “monster” tendencies and just takes over. I learned from experience that soon ivy can take over a tree and then it doesn’t look so pretty. You might want to keep your ivy trimmed back a bit so you keep the look you want rather than letting it take over.
PS – I loved watching you in action at the spring Lucketts show.
I agree! The ivy started to climb up the side of the house. I let it go because it looked really cool. But when I noticed it started to mess with the gutters, I hired someone to rip it down for me. It left a real mess on the side of the house! Oops… 🙂
Moral of this one… best to not allow it to climb on buildings unless dampness etc won’t be an issue down the road.
It looks like it’s always been there. Great solution!
Love this, looks great!
Donna,
What a happy coincidence ! Looks perfect. Your yard is beautiful.
Smiles,
Alice
Ahhhhh! You may have just solved a dilema I’ve been having as to what to do with a bench I have that is rotting out. I was going to replace the seat boards but that was 5 years ago and clearly I’m not going to do that. This may be a solution as it is currently tipped over in the perriwinkles by my shed. I’ll turn it upright and grow some ivy under it!! Thanks!!!
I get my best ideas, or I should say fall into them by finding the lazy way to do it. Kind of like my easy to build garden obelisk. All the plans I found had angled cuts, which was more than I wanted to do. So I created a lazy way and it worked great. I love it and I have a couple other renditions I can’t wait to try out.
I try to keep stuff to move while mowing to a minimum, but who knew this would look like it has lived there for years!
Just love it!!!…genius!….Looks like it has been there for years cuddled in the ivy!!
I LOVE your “ivy bench”!
I thought of you this morning as I wrote today’s post! Check it out when you get a moment! http://athankfullyimperfectwoman.com/2013/07/08/flowers-and-cows-and-worms-oh-my/
Hi Donna, That is one cool bench in the ivy. Good idea!
I think the bench looks great, I would find an old rusty container of sorts and fill it with your favorite flowers for a pop of color. Thanks for all the great ideas you share with all of us, I love them all. Ty!
Serendipity! It all turned out fantastically and looks very English, don’t you know… I love a garden that looks like it’s been there forever and this does!
~~ Sue at Flea Market Gardening
That looks so cute! I love the ivy just growing around it, love it!
this will look so cool when the ivy grows all up n around the bench. A bench of ivy … very nifty great treasures!