My Courtyard Display

[Jon Chown]

I began my love and interest in Bonsai after visiting the Bonsai Society of Queensland Show in 1984. Due to personal circumstances, there were several periods that my trees were largely left to their own resources but in general I have spent the last 24 years increasing my knowledge, collecting, styling and maintaining my trees. They have survived six changes of address during that time and as I am nearing retirement, we have at last found our own little oasis which will most probably be home for another 20 years – God willing.

At one stage 2005/6 I seem to remember having around 150 Bonsai in pots and a further 100 or so in various stages of advancement. As Queensland entered the period of drought and severe water restrictions were imposed upon us, I quickly came to the realisation that I was not going to be able to maintain such a large collection as watering was becoming an absolute nightmare, around this time I decided to reduce my collection to around 50 of my best remaining trees and I sold a lot and gave the rest away to a Bonsai Nursery.

At this time, I decided to renovate my courtyard to display the trees that I had decided to keep. It was my intention to install a rain water tank and an irrigation system in order to make life a little easier. Here is what I have ended up with.
I wanted to create points of interest so that when you walk in, no matter which way you face, your eyes are drawn to a feature, as you walk down the paths there is always a feature tree in the distance.

Here are some progressive photos taken during the work - sorry for the quality, for some reason the early ones were saved in a small format (320 x 200)

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[Jon Chown]

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[mudlarkpottery]

Very nice, Jon. Where does your waterfeature fit in all this?
Penny.

[ketutg]

That's a very nice courtyard you have there Jon.
How long did it take to create?

[Jon Chown]

I did have a go at rendering the towers but failed terribly, so I paid a guy to do it properly. My wife got out and applied the paint.

Here is the entrance with the guard dog just waiting for someone to come in.

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The first tree that is seen as you enter is the Bougainvillea directly in front and it is a picture when it is in full flower.

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Going towards the front door of the house you turn left as you get to the Bougainvillea and you see an Entombed Warrior lighting the way.

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Turn right here and as you approach the foo dogs will keep an eye on you.

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Should you stop here and look back the way you came, this is what you would see.

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[Steven]

Awesome Jon!!! Looks terrific! Your hard work has paid off, it is a first class courtyard mate. You should be really proud of the way it has come together

Regards,
Steven

[PeterW]

Nice work Jon, i know where to come to for advise when i am ready to do something nice like this!
Regards
peter

[Jon Chown]

Looking back the way you have come from the front door.

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Turning right at the Bougainvillea - this is what you would see.

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Looking in towards my studio/office

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Looking out from the Studio to the main feature tree - A Boab grown from seed.

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[Jon Chown]

Walking towards the gate, but going around the raised central planter.

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Making use of the breeze wall.

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Turning right again, we come to the last display area.

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[Jon Chown]

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As you leave the courtyard.

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The remaining shots are just general views across the top.

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[Jon Chown]

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Thank you for visiting my courtyard, I hope you enjoyed the views.

Yours in Bonsai
Jon

[aaron_tas]

wow
thats really great jon

i have great ideas for when i get my own place too,
ill have to wait quite a few years yet, and i have already drawn a few up in autocad

[Jon Chown]

Penny said

Where does your waterfeature fit in all this?

The water feature that I showed in a previous post is in my back yard - this courtyard is in the front yard. I would like to put a water feature here somewhere, but don't have a lot of room - perhaps a bowl

Jon

[Jon Chown]

Thank you all for your kind words Ketutg, Steven, Peter and Aaron_Tas.

I guess the whole project took about 3 months to put together given that I could only work on the project on weekends and I had to wait for one of my sons to come good with the asphalt and the tradie to fit in the plastering - but all good things come to those who wait.

Hey Aaron - Having Autocad, does this make you a draftsperson or Architect?

Jon

[anttal63]

great lay out jon looks like bonsai heavan. enjoy it pal