Friday, June 13, 2008

Summer Garden Tour

Welcome to my home and garden! I am so glad Lisa at The Preacher's Wife decided to host this little garden party! I don't have much of a green thumb, but I do enjoy digging in the dirt and attempting to make things pretty. Thankfully my husband is game to go along with my ideas, since he typically winds up doing the hard labor portion of any project... like moving all the slate from an existing, boring edging and creating the fun border gardens for our front yard.


I fill these urns (they're plastic- from K-Mart- can you believe it? I know!) with bright blooms to make me happy when I come through the front door. Not doing so well this year, but pretend with me, okay? I'll go get new flowers at the nursery tomorrow.) My favorite spot of our home- the front porch where I do my Bible study every morning and sip my sweet tea and watch the girls in the evening.

These are more shots of the gardens we put in the front of the house last year, I am clearly going to be transplanting some of these perennials.


Happy petunias to greet me as I arrive in the garage repeatedly though the day.

One of two pergolas Rusty built for me last summer. I do love that guy! The first one was for the larger part of the deck, hoping to add some shade, but he didn't want anything growing on it. With very little begging on my part, he agreed to build this smaller one that leads down to the hot tub, giving me free reign to cover it in wisteria.
See the big bucket o'stain in the background? That has been his constant companion for the past three weekends. As soon as he is finished, I get to fill in those planters with wisteria... I can't wait. I'm sure the neighbors can't either~ notice the red bouncy ball loitering in the large empty planter? It is soon to be replaced with hosta to mirror the other side of the deck.

You can't see them, but there are tons (OK 5-7) of giant bumblebees hovering over this plant at all times. Any ideas on how to get rid of them?

Ferns waiting patiently to be hung on the back deck as soon as somebody wraps up the staining project of 2008.
A tomato plant to save us from the salmonella scare. We also grow peppers and zucchini and squash. It is so much fun for the girls to go out and pick the very foods they are eating for dinner. Love it. Wish we had 10 acres in the country.
A hydrangea bloom from the plant Rusty bought me our first summer in this house. He knew I always dreamed of hydrangea plants surrounding my home and wanted to start me on the path to making that a reality. I have since planted two more, but they are still little babies and haven't bloomed yet.
And last but not least, my newest addition and second favorite place to hang out. I found this antique glider and coordinating bolsters while yard saling two weeks ago. Woohoo! There is something so peaceful about gently rocking as the sun sets, that just blesses me all over. I think I have many happy moments to be spent here.


Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to tour some gardens and be inspired....

20 comments:

Jenny said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your front porch! That is my number 1 thing I want in our next house. I can see why you spend so much time out there. It's so peaceful looking.

Anonymous said...

Very lovely!

Colored With Memories said...

So beautiful! I love the slate borders!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Gorgeous girl! Thanks for the tour!

Anonymous said...

So cute. I love the porch too. And good luck on your tomoato plant!

Dolly said...

oh can your husband come and build me a pergola too?

thanks for sharing!

Jackie said...

Oh, that porch is calling my name...it looks sooo inviting. You have done a fabulous job... thanks for letting us all see!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Oh for a front porch. That looks so sweet.

And I love the flagstone/slate walkway near the front door. Those are my favorite kinds of paths. I just want to follow it to see where it goes.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

HOw pretty! Love your front entry and all the flowers growing there. Just beautiful. And I see you are a saler too...love those yardsale finds myself. And that pergola! Oh my, I love it. I had a big pergola at my old house & they really add a lot of character.

Rhoda

Jen said...

I love your garden! I love your rockers. My hubby and I sit in our rockers on our front porch all the time ;)

Have a great weekend!

Jen

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

My husband does the hard labor, too! :-) That pergola will be gorgeous covered with wisteria! And your bees are just doing their little pollenation job; they won't bother anybody and they'll help make beautiful flowers for next year. :-)

Erin said...

Looks fabulous!

The Buntens said...

Oh, the deck is amazing! Very beautiful!

Amy said...

Love the deck and the pergolas. Your Rusty sounds like my Husband; very handy to have around to build great things! Beautiful Landscaping!

Janelle said...

Looks like Southern Living! You have done a very nice job. I can tell it is a passion in the making for you.

Unknown said...

I love the perennials and the flagstone borders! Just gorgeous!

Thanks so much for the tour!

B. said...

The flowers! The border! The flagstones! The porch! You have a beautiful garden.

Susan said...

Lovely!
Susan

Girl Raised in the South said...

Beautiful, start to finish. Looks like you have a pretty green thumb to me! And wow, what a beautiful place for morning devotions...

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

Wow, I think your garden is very, very nice!! I have a wee little off center arch going to our patio that I really want to cover with a vine but seeing your nicely built one makes me a bit envious. :)