Many of you have seen this canopy shade (1st photo below) I posted early this year. This is in Rafael Farm, Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines. Due to the high humidity in the area lots of ferns grow luxuriantly at the edges of the roof. I remember many of you appreciated it, and I am also awed by the growth which i want to emulate in our backyard. However, our place suffers from long dry season, which might not agree to this type of design. Our annuals including ferns and epiphytes die during the dry months.
In another area at the foot of the mountain here, I again saw a small garden with small sheds like the above. It utilized leaves of our endemic palm, anahaw (Livistona rotundifolia), which is also our national leaf. The base materials for the roof as well as the posts are bamboos, which also grow luxuriantly in this country.
The topside is covered with mesh nets to lessen wind damage and discourage birds from playing on the loose leaves. However, the edges at the bottom retains water which enhances growth of epiphytes.
Biodiversity finds its way so easily in these structures. The lower photo shows different kinds of ferns and epiphytes growing favorably. It is not uncommon to see orchids also growing there.
This is the full photo of the hut placed under the mango tree. It provides nice private area for cozy conversations, picnics or to welcome some visitors. Temperate country gardens can do away with open structures because they normally love the sun in cold weather. In tropical countries like ours, we need protective canopies from our hut sun and rainy weathers. The Araucaria sp near it provided more charm.
In another part of the garden a cozy table and chairs look very accommodating. In this country where the sun is already hot starting from 9:00am, these structures can just be used either very early or near dusk, and at night. But it enhances the beauty of the lawn.
Another nook in the other side of the garden used another style of canopy, this time utilizing a vigorously growing yellow bell, Allamanda cathartica. It gives a very beautiful sight when the yellow flowers are in full bloom. Benches and table are built under it too.
Now, which do you prefer as a canopy on your cozy garden nooks?
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Looking up at the bamboo struts and the overlapping leaf fans reminds me of our reed thatched roofs. But that is uniform in colour, as the beams are always stained dark as well.
ReplyDeletePS I came to say, thank you for following me, but was diverted by the patterns ;~)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful little covered seating areas that are works of art.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour of this nice oasis.
FlowerLady
I remember seeing that fern roof in your photos before. I like that. It would be nice to have that in the garden.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I did not crop away the area in focus for my first 2 photos today. I attempted to focus on the falling leaves but in vain.
I love vernacular island architecture. These would not be very contextual in Buffalo, but they are wonderful garden structures. I like the rabbit on the roof. You don't see that very often.
ReplyDeleteImpossible to choose, Andrea ... I love them all. The bamboo roof was stunning! How fun to sit beside you and discuss :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the design. Anytime you can use plants with a building structure makes for an artistic addition to the home. I have a ramada covered in cat's vine and solar lights. Would love to have orchids grow on the structure!!! But they don't grow here:(
ReplyDeleteOh Andrea, that is gorgeous... Love that beautiful gazebo -like place... I love seeing all of the tropical plants in your area --and all of that gorgeous GREEN... We are so in need of rain here now that even our grass is turning brown....
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I like the one in the first picture. I have never seen ferns growing like this on the roofs! This looks very unique and natural. I'd like it!
ReplyDeleteI go for the kalesa chairs with table. :) Reminds me of the nights when we, as a family, spend the night chatting and playing in our garden. That was around the 90's! hehehe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful oasis!
ReplyDeleteThese shade structures are just beautiful, very much suited to our tropical climate.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Andrea I would like to create all of them in my garden!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful place to relax. The roof is just beautiful...
ReplyDeleteincredible. this is definitely a winner in a tropical garden.
ReplyDeleteThose are so lovely, Andrea... I'd take anyone, anytime...
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why I opted to build with thatch roofs is precisely to let ferns organically grow into them. It's fairly humid in Lipa to successfully have this in a couple of years. But what I learned though is by the time it's lush enough for ferns and epiphytes to grow on them, parts of the natural roof will likely start rotting as well. I guess when the time comes, we'll have to replace the roofs in phases.
ReplyDeletethe last one is very cute. I love it.
ReplyDeleteBTW- Thanks for the compliment on my
macro flower shots.
I remember that first photo - it would be lovely to have somewhere like that in the garden ........ in my case to keep the rain off me!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you visited me recently... and I am appreciative of the photos and explanation of your canopies and nooks! :-) It would be wonderful to sit within either - or even on those great, sturdy chairs in the open!
ReplyDeleteYour plants are looking Very Lush... we've been experiencing extreme dryness for awhile, so it truly was a treat to take your tour.
that bamboo top is amazing...so detailed. Nice pics...all of them..
ReplyDeleteDo I really need to choose? :-)
ReplyDeleteI like the ferns at the roof edge.
Andrea, I posted the procedure to the 2-in-1 trick in my "Two in one" post. Just scroll down to the bottom and read on. Thanks...
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the last one..very 'wild' & natural! =)
ReplyDeleteTruly it is very tropical to see ferns growing everywhere but I'm surprised when you mention that they don't survive during the hot season.
ReplyDeleteHere they never seemed to die regardless of the weather.
I just love these structures...they are simple, functional, and tropical. And they seem like art...very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your visits and wonderful comments. I certainly appreciate them. I am back and will post again soon. I was out for a week chasing waterfalls, etc., etc.!
ReplyDeletethey are all lovely and it's really hard to pick a favourite. i'd love to have one of these in my garden.
ReplyDelete