Flower Power....
I have so missed blogging lately but my time designing, planting & maintaining clients gardens has my head spinnning! LOL! I try to spend as much time tending to my own gardens during these wonderful warm months too, so that doesn't leave me a whole lot of time for website work (which takes a little respite during the summer months) or blogging. Right now I am slowly starting to get covered in poison ivy & am a bit uncomfortable tonight. I thought I was home free & then jinxed myself by feeling pretty cocky that I hadn't gotten it yet this year so I probably won't & VOILA it appeared! AHHHH! I usually get it so badly that I have to go on a dose of steroids to be comfortable. We'll see how It is on Monday & then I'll either make the call to the dr. or tuff it out. I've been trying to get over to my favorite blogs & have noticed lots & lots of blogging about gardens & gorgeous photos of some really fabulous gardens! I would love to join in so I am posting some photos I took today after a completely enjoyable gardening day in my yard with my sweet hubby. He would much rather have been on the golf course today but decided to do some of the grunt work I couldn't do due to a sore knee! lol~YES! I do feel like I am falling apart right now with the posin ivy & the runners knees acting up! you should have seen me limping around the yard like a 90 year old!
Absolutely LOVE verbena, especially the lavender that looks almost blue! Don't you love this color against the black of the urn?!
My english inspired garden is really coming together this year. I bought a big cement urn for the middle, planted it with a small fir tree & underplanted it with white new waves, licorice plant & lavender verbena. It will be spilling over the sides in no time! I planted 4 small boxwood around the urn to make it look truly english.
A stunning salmon pink hibiscus sits on the vintage outdoor dining table. So does a vase of pretty light lavender rhodys!
A stain glass window hangs from the pergola.
Clematis~
Hostas give me a feel for the victorian era~I have tons of these all over my yard.
Birdbath planted with lavender & pink verbena~I love planting these! Don't worry I have other birdbaths for the birds! LOL!
Here's another birdbath for the birds. It's actually a tracy porter planter I use for the birdies.
Pretty soon this part of the yard will be a sea of pinks, soft yellows, white & lavender. My gardens reach their peak in july where the additional colors blend with all the blooming roses!
There is something so nostalgic for me to watch a sprinkler water the gardens & the lawn. It's what people did when I was growing up. I have never pushed the issue of irrigation with my hubby because I love putting on the sprinklers & listening to the clicking of the water going back & forth.
A very old toolboox planted with white & blue supertunias.
St. Francis watches over the herb garden~
This fabulous bloom ranks number 1 as an all-time favorite! What are your favorite flowers my blog friends? Next post may just be all about hydrangeas! I have quite a few varieties growing now. I think I'm partial to the "endless summer" variety that blooms all summer long & on new & old wood. Stunning! This was just what I needed to feel connected to the blog world again~I'm off to catch up on reading some more of your blogs! xoxo
Your flowers are stunning, I love pretty gardens where you can go pick a fresh bouquet of flowers all the time!
Posted by: Andrea~vintagepaperbella | June 21, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Hi!
your garden is amazing!!
gosh... I would have to say my roses are my fave..then my peonies..My roses are doing poorly..I really must find the time and get out and give my garden much needed tlc..
I have actually tried to grow pink & blue hydrangea but they died on me..for some reason all I can grow are the big white ones! They look like wonderful snow balls..
hope you feel better soon.
~
Posted by: Christine | June 21, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Chris your garden is beautiful.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | June 22, 2008 at 04:54 AM
OMG Chris - I am on my way to visit your garden LOL It is so peaceful and I love all the green! I am sitting in a garden void. I have a few plants in the front bed and my fountain but everything seems insignificant - I know with time it will fill in but really looks subpar at the moment :~( Thanks for such lovely garden inspiration - wanna fly out here and help a girl out?!
Posted by: Jen ~ Artful Dreamer | June 22, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Your garden is absolutely fabulous! How lucky you are, and obviously how talented, to create such a heaven on earth!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 22, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Hi Chris,
So sorry about the poison ivy, I myself have never had it but understand it can be quite miserable. Girl your talent just shines in that garden, amazing.
Hugs,
LeAnn:
P.S. I have missed you!!
Posted by: LeAnn | June 22, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Chris....Your garden & whole area is goreous!!! I LOVE LOVE it!! What an amazing job you have done! I myself have 3 endless summe hydrangea's & they are truly goregous!!!! 2 are whitish pink & the other one is bright purple...I also love my Wisterias...2 of them in the front & I so love the smell!
Maybe next year I can get into more gardening... I want ROSES!
LOL Enjoy yours sweetie...wish I was there sitting in your gorgeous garden! We have missed you too:)
Hugs...
Deb:)
Posted by: DEBBIE G. | June 22, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Oh my goodness my sweet friend~I do believe that you have the most BEAUTIFUL garden this side of Eden!!! Just gorgeous and you obviously have such talent and passion for tending to it!! ~Will email soon~ XOXO~ Janet
Posted by: Janet~Shabbyfufu | June 22, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Absolutely breathtaking Chris!! Will you PLEASE come and help me with mine?? The Verbena is gorgeous! I LOVE the bunny birdbath too! Everything is just beautiful. I wish I had your talent!
Love ya,
Amy
Posted by: Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage | June 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Oh, I forgot to say, my sweet little three year old baby boy is COVERED from head to toe in poison ivy right now :( My heart just aches for the poor little guy! I am so sorry you had to deal with it too. It is just awful!
Posted by: Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage | June 22, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Your garden is so beautiful!! Love the little house in the background it looks perfect. My favorite flowers are the rose and hydranga. I just wish my yard looked like your!
Hugs~Kelly
P.S. Sorry about the poison ivy!
Posted by: Kelly~Rose Vine Cottage | June 22, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Chris,
Your yard and garden are absolutely stunning. I am amazed that you find the time to tend to tour own garden when you are so busy bringing beauty to others.
Janet
Posted by: janet | June 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Oh my gosh! Your garden is gorgeous! I love everything about it! That sprinkler reminds me of my childhood too. Those were the bet kind to run through!
Hydrangeas are my favorite flower!
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | June 23, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Wow,
What a beautiful garden. I really like that window on the pergola.
Have a great week,
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | June 23, 2008 at 04:05 PM
How do find the time to do this breathtaking garden too? Is Verbena a full sun plant? beautiful !!!! When U plant in birdbaths do U put stones or anything on bottom? (LOL) no more questions. Hope itchies R better.
Posted by: LaVonna (customer) | June 24, 2008 at 07:52 AM
adorable pics!gorgeous garden! xoxo Britt :-)
Posted by: britt-sparkledvintagecharm | June 24, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Your flower , gardens and captures of them are beautiful! I too love verbena, that is the bluest I have seen, & it is beautiful in that gorgeous black urn! Love the stain glass window! You are a busy lady! I too know all about walking around the yard feeling like a ninty yr. old lady! :) Hydrangea's are for sure at the top of my list for favorites!
Have a beautiful week!
Cat
Posted by: Catherine | June 24, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Hi Chris! I have something for you over on my blog :)
Hugs,
Amy
Posted by: Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage | June 25, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Oh my, so many pretty pictures!!!
Lovely Gardens!
I'm going back for another look.
Smiles,
KayEllen
Posted by: kayellen | June 25, 2008 at 10:43 AM
WOW! Absolutely beautiful - I could only dream of such a wonderful garden and yard. Thanks so much for sharing the photos. Good luck on the poison ivy.
Posted by: Kathy | June 26, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Wow! Now that is one garden I am in awe of and a bit jealous of! But I'm thrilled you shared it with us. It's beautiful!
Hey, I don't know if you signed up for my giveaway or not but if you are interested, pop on over and sign up.
Hugs,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | June 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Hi! Just found your blog from someone on craigslist believe it or not! I was searching vintage dress forms ~ Being a fellow blogger in this genre, I am sooo happy to have found yours, it is just lovely, and so is your shop!
I'll be back to visit again soon!
xo, Tiffany
Posted by: tiffany~shabbyscraps | June 26, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Chris ~ There are no words to describe your garden except that it's just fantastic!! You are indeed a rare talent! ~Stacy~ xo
Posted by: Stacy | June 26, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Hi Chris. Miss you!!! Have a beautiful weekend!
Hugs
Brook
Posted by: Brook | June 27, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Hi Chris!
I just am back from my week in Naples and had to come visit you! Your gardens are beautiful! I just love everything about them. Did I tell you that when I was in Italy in April, we went to Assisi and visit St. Franscis's tomb? What a humbling experience....
Hope your poisen ivy is all gone by now.
xo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | June 27, 2008 at 04:42 PM