The Garden Edit

Coming Back to the Garden

When our girls were growing up, I was a gardener. I had a vegetable garden and planted flowers. I was also basically responsible for the landscaping in our yard because we couldn't afford to hire anyone. I planted shrubs, trees, you name it. My dad grew up in the country and even though he wasn't a gardener himself, he loved to start trees from seeds and he loved Bonsai. He taught me about trees... how to tell an apple tree from a plum, a pecan from a walnut. I learned the rest on my own, mostly by wandering through garden shops and buying whatever caught my eye.

I'm not sure what happened, but somewhere along the way, I stopped really gardening. Yard work became something I did when I had to, aside from the ten or so basil plants I planted every year so I could make pesto. But then... for some reason this year, I've been craving being outside. I've planted flowers and basil, filled my planters, and I have tomato plants waiting to go in the ground the minute it stops raining long enough for me to get out there and dig.

We have a very shady yard so I have to be strategic when it comes to vegetables, but I'll figure it out.

I think being on my computer and on social media so much has made the outdoors feel like a respite. It's healing and calming to just be in nature without a phone or any distractions... just Amos and Archie running around or laying in the gazebo watching me work. This year for Mother’s Day, I asked for new garden gloves, potting soil and a new trash can (don’t worry, I bought myself a few other things)!

So today, I thought I'd share pictures of my planters this year along with a few garden finds from different sites I've been browsing. Let me know... are you a gardener?

I have pink Mandevilla in the planter above…it’s easy to plant and makes a statement as it grows. It a tropical climbing vine with trumpet-shaped pink flowers and glossy dark green leaves. You can see it starting to send up long tendrils looking for something to climb. They love heat and sun, so the more direct light, the more they bloom.

The planter above is filled with Rieger or Nonstop begonias. These are perfect for shadier spots because they actually prefer part shade and will scorch in full afternoon sun. They bloom prolifically all season if you deadhead them…which is on my list!

The little birdbath above was purchased years ago at a craft fair in the park down the street from our house. It’s still one of my favorite things! I try to remember to keep it filled for the birds.

I bought the gorgeous metal butterfly from a local artist. It’s moved with us three times!

This urn is outside the back door and really spruces up the area by the garage! It planted with five different plants that all work together.

Cordyline - long, strappy variegated leaves in green, cream, and pink/burgundy. Gives height and dramatic vertical lines.

Caladium — the heart-shaped pink and green leaves peeking out. They love shade and humidity, which is exactly right for this spot.

Pink Wax Begonias — soft pink blooms with rounded waxy leaves.

Bacopa - clusters of tiny white flowers. A classic spiller that loves part shade.

Plectranthus - large, scalloped, slightly puckered leaves draping over the edge. Excellent shade tolerance and gives you that lush, full skirt at the bottom.

I have really enjoyed this little planter with lavender on the Vintage Bistro Table on the patio.

This urn is under our porte-cochère which is very shady…. it’s planted with New Guinea Impatiens- they're a step up from regular impatiens with more substantial flowers, slightly more sun tolerance, and they hold up better in heat and humidity. Perfect for part shade.

The white trailing flowers are Angelonia or summer snapdragon. They have delicate white spires cascading over the edge. They love heat, bloom continuously all summer with no deadheading required, and add that airy, romantic movement to a planter.

I purchased these urns that sit by our front door at a gorgeous little shop in Richmond Virginia called Creme de la Creme!

One of the first things we did to the yard 20 years ago was to plant these hydrangeas and they put on a show every year! I literally wait for them to bloom and cut them all season long! My top and pants are from Spartina 449.

We’re still in the process of working on this little area by the woods. I planted the pachysandra behind the bench probably ten years ago. It’s a perfect plant for this area behind the bench but it’s a very slow growing plant.

I found this vintage Palm Beach table a couple of years ago and had it powder coated in this French blue color. It’s one of my favorite things! My dress if from Just Darviny.

Hydrangeas by the gazebo and a clematis climbing up the lamp post in the front!

I cannot take credit for all of the planters pictured here. I had a little help from Beth Hayes at A & A Nursery here in Burlington. She did a great job and now…I have to keep them all alive! I will be out in my garden planting this weekend…and I’ll give you an update soon! I have big plans!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post! I could write all day long but I have book club tonight and have to get prepared for that!

Thanks for reading!

~XOXO Suzanne