Hammock set in groundcover between house and studio in Cleveland suburb

During the past few weeks, I’ve attended the annual conferences of the Perennial Plant Association in Cincinnati  and of the Garden Writers of America in Pittsburgh. One of the recurring themes in the gardens I saw was the use of the hammock. What better way to enjoy lazy summer days?

Most of the hammocks I saw were strung between two trees. They reminded me of a wonderful saying by Jean de Lattre de Tassigny: “An optimist is a man who plants two acorns and buys a hammock.” 

Hammock on old estate in Pittsburgh

One hammock was on an estate with two hundred year old trees. Although the hammock trees appeared to be younger, they had great branching structure. A gravel path through a formal garden led to the hammock from which one could view the garden.

Hammock on upper level of terraced slope

Another hammock was strung between two painted posts in the lawn of the upper level of a terraced garden. From there, one could contemplate each of the levels and also see all of the visitors who might arrive on the lower level.

Hammock in front of brick wall

A third hammock, strung between one unpainted post and a tree, was positioned in a shady spot at the side of the house, with a lovely brick wall behind it and a shade bed with foliage perennials of varying textures under and in front of it.

Hammock in metal frame

Totally different was a hammock I saw in Detroit last year. It was part of a metal frame set in the sun in front of a manmade waterfall.

As you can see by the images, some hammocks are in shade and some are in the sun. Which do you prefer?