Magical Merry Makeover

Great visit with a young mama who wants to share gardening experiences with her two little ones. 

This family recently added a phenomenal porch complete with bar, 

cooking area and lots of sitting space to watch Georgia games. 

Just outside the party porch is the area above...

PERFECT for a veggie/cutting garden!

Two ideas so far :

3 "beds" on each side of pathway which lead to throne

OR

a "keyhole" design with rays of beds outlined with
 hardy sun-loving annuals


AND

We are keeping the iron "throne" that is against the brick wall with a 

path leading up to it from

 the tiny "walk up" steps in below right corner. 

The dwarf nandinas to the left will be moved to cushion the throne.

The ideal plant list includes:

strawberries

Easy Cut Flowers for kids:   zinnias cosmos sunflowers

okra

corn

tomatoes

a variety of herbs for grilling: rosemary, basil, chives, mint and parsley

INSPIRATION

One color of hardy annuals outlining garden

One or Two areas for perennial herbs

Strawberry Patch

Bean Teepee for far upper right corner

My Trip to Co County

I can't go "out of town" without stopping at a local garden store. 

This week, after a garden consult in Appling, I visited Greenbrier Nursery on Washington Road. 

What a sweet shop and nursery. 

Couldn't help but notice this...

Viburnum macrocephalum (doesn't that mean big head in Latin?)
Chinese Snowball bush or tree in this case!

Had to have a flat of  Diaschia "Romeo"
...looks more like Juliet.

 Pretty urns for arrangements & gardens, funky rubber boots, and lots of goodies inside the adorable shop.

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Instant Impact: Think Inside the Container

This guest post was written by Ashley Patterson, owner of The Art of Gardening in Augusta, GA. Ashley graces front porches and pool sides across the CSRA with her gift of container planting. We are all rushed for Masters Week here in Augusta to host one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. Ashley shares her great ideas with us.

For Instant Impact: Think Inside the Container

     When spring arrives in Augusta, it means one thing: The Masters Golf Tournament can't be far behind. Whether you're entertaining out-of-town guests or renting your home, you want to make a good first impression. So, what can you do to add curb appeal? Start by dressing up your front door and making the entrance more inviting. 

Summer container
Diamond Frost, Margarita Sweet Potato vine, Fern, Begonia

     If you're looking for instant impact, think INSIDE the container. Planted containers that complement your home's design add interest and immediate beauty. Plants near an entrance frame the door and say "welcome". When selecting containers, it's important to think of tone, texture and colors that will work best with the architectural style of your home. Remember that larger containers give you greater planting space and make a more dramatic impact than several smaller containers. In addition, larger containers hold moisture better during Augusta's long, hot summers.
     

     Boxwoods and conifers such as Lemon Cypress and Arborvitae are good options for your larger container's focal point. These shrubs are also available as topiaries. Depending on whether your entrance is shaded or sunny, you will need to under-plant with carefully chosen plants to keep the container looking fresh year- round. There are many varieties of trailing plants such as ivy and Creeping Jenny that stay green- or chartruse- yearlong. You can add color or simply white for contrast using trailing annuals such as Million Bells, Diascia or Nemesia as well as Diamond Frost. Other plants that work well for under-planting include Coleus, Angelonia, Lantana, Scaevola, Potato Vine, and Blue Daze. 


     Shade containers are magnificent with mixed textures such as a combination of ferns, Cast Iron plant, ivy and caladiums. 



Contact Info
Ashley Patterson
706.284.0306
ashley.patterson@comcast.net








Blessings from the Garden. 
ML

Supper Club Update

This is an idea from P. Allen Smith. 

Love it!

I probably don't have this many daffodils,

 but thinking about a combination of flowers for 

Supper Club

Remember though, if you are cutting your daffodils to bring inside,

 they produce a nasty sap that will kill other cut flowers.

 Best to let daffodils stand alone.

Blessings from the Garden. 

ML