The new sunroom is now under roof and enclosed, though still a week or two from completion. This small addition is a luxury for us. Except for boundless plant purchases, I spend cautiously, but this will be a room where we’ll spend considerable time in our imminent retirements. The view from the room is most important, and with additional open ground once occupied by the larger deck, I’m happy to have a new area to plant. The mostly shaded area will allow me to try a few plants new to the garden.

Barbara and I debate if a narrow stone path should intersect this area. For the moment, I think yes. Minutes later, maybe. This is subject to a complete new thought tomorrow, which is a large part of the creative enjoyment that precedes the first holes being dug. Always, I’m in a hurry to get started planting, and possibly laying path stones, but I must keep the area open for the construction crew. While some will go into the ground when construction is complete, no doubt the planting will extend into the spring with planning and repeated rethinking during the winter lull.

Yes, I have a few plants in mind, and some might conflict with the space available for a path. But, in any case, and no matter my obsession with one plant or another, the splendid view from the sunroom into the garden must not be obstructed.

The immediate priority in reworking this space was to remove a tall nandina with arching stems that blocked the view of a portion of the upper level of the two level pond just below the sunroom. This was accomplished a few days ago since the space is just beyond the area needed for access, and a short but densely branched ‘Butterfly’ Japanese maple (below) was planted in its place. ‘Butterfly’ grows slowly, as I’ve seen from another in the garden, so I have no concern that it will impede the view.

The top edge of the pond, that until a few weeks ago was under the edge of the deck, must be cleaned up. A few hostas and ferns will be moved back from the edge to better see the pond from the sunroom, and a seedling, green leafed hosta that grows in a small outcropping in the center of the pond is likely to be removed to improve the view.

Several low growers new to the garden have been ordered to spread between path stones, but I expect that decisions on anything larger will hold off until I see the finished product. No plants will block the view we have today, but I’m overjoyed to be able to add to the garden.