Planning for (Daydreaming of) a Summer Border
Even with Easter just around the corner, Spring doesn't seem to be arriving soon enough. I do enjoy winter gardens, but about now I start to feel like I've been holding my breath for the last few months. So I'm daydreaming (or planning) my garden, looking through last year's photos to try and remember what it was I wanted to do differently or the same.
This particular border at my last house was such a lovely surprise. It was primarily passalong and swap plants, and not my usual classic pink and blue cottage garden color scheme. But I loved how it turned out and I ended up continuing the theme for the entire border. And I love the birdcage, too. Nothing says cottage style like birdhouses and birdcages, right?
I'd like to play with this color palette at the new place, although it will most certainly evolve. But I am glad I rediscovered these photos. Sometimes trying a completely different color palette leads to fabulous results. Of course, sometimes it can be a disaster. Sometimes doing something different is freeing and liberating. Sometimes trying too hard to be different makes a huge mess.
So how are you going to plan your summer garden? Meticulously? With the tried-and-true? Freewheeling? Going for the experimental? Or maybe no planning at all?
Seriously, I want to know.
Comments (41)
Hi Angela, we are just wrapping up summer of course and we did nothing! The water restrictions mean no new plantings, but we did install a rainwater tank so hopefully nothing else will die and next summer we will have enough water.
Posted by Jodie | February 28, 2008 10:59 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 22:59
What a lovely garden. Go ahead and try something new. It's not like you can't change it later, right? After all, some of our best stuff came from some of our biggest mistakes. Can't wait to see pics of your new garden.
I don't have much of a green-thumb. But I did purchase a beautiful bright pink calla lily plant for inside. I'm hoping I can keep her around a long time. She makes me smile!
Posted by Melissa Lewis | February 28, 2008 11:21 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 23:21
I love your daylilies. They really define summer for me. Trying something new is the way to keep things interesting, don't you think?
Frances at Faire Garden
Posted by Frances | February 29, 2008 2:27 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 02:27
I certainly have some planning going on. You can pop over and see the beginnings.
Love seeing the color. It is just that time of year. WE WANT COLOR!!!
Posted by Lisa at Greenbow | February 29, 2008 2:47 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 02:47
Hello again !
Your blog looks so light and airy .. just the right format to display those pictures with !
I have a few daylilies and they are due to split up to share with friends .. I like the idea of them going to a friend "bank vault" .. so if something goes wrong and I lose one kind .. my friend has the carbon copy ? LOL
I can't wait for the end of the snowwwwwwwwww !
Joy
Posted by Joy | February 29, 2008 4:16 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 04:16
I don't plan. I really dont know anything about garden design and I love everything. If it blooms, I LOVE IT! Having said that, I have certainly made mistakes, but I have learned from them. If it doesn't thrive I either move it or toss it. Ruthlessly. I still have a lot to learn and a lot to do in my garden, but the "bones of my garden are perennials, so I don't have to rethink it all each year. I fill in with annuals, whatever strikes my fancy that year, so I have a little something different on a regular basis. I'm a thrifter, so if I can get transplants from friends, or find perennials that are end of season toss outs (and I have found some great ones!) I take them and figure out where to put them later. My garden evolves, just like me:>)
Posted by Kathleen Grace | February 29, 2008 4:41 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 04:41
I love your combination at the top. The barely open daylilies with the wire basket. Yumm. I start dreaming about my garden with these beautiful springlike days. I really do dream at night of plant combinations, paths I want to create, beds I want to build. I can't wait for spring to really begin. This weekend, I'm going to the garden school at the Myriad Botanical Gardens and then to the OK Hort. Society's talk.~~Dee
Posted by Dee/reddirtramblings | February 29, 2008 5:23 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 05:23
How I wish I had a large back garden! Ours is currently totally eaten up by our pool, which was for the kids, but I dream of a lovely English cottage garden...
Beautiful pics!
Linda xoxo
Posted by linda | February 29, 2008 5:40 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 05:40
I'm not a planner - at least it's not natural for me LOL! I just kind of go with the flow. But I do think I now have to give more thought to what I plant because of the drought. I love hydrangeas and I have quite a lot of them, but they really need lots of water so I won't be planting anymore of them (at least not this year). I'm looking into more drought tolerant plants and evaluating what I have. I may have to get rid of somethings :-(.
Have a good weekend!
Manuela
Posted by The Feathered Nest (Manuela's) | February 29, 2008 5:56 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 05:56
Sounds like you've got a good strategy for getting through the rest of this never-ending winter. I have some vague ideas rattling around in my brain, but I think I need to see the soil again b4 I can get any inspiration.
Posted by Mr. McGregor's Daughter | February 29, 2008 8:01 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 08:01
Your cottage garden looks perfect! Pretty, informal & lots of colour.
Posted by Jayne | February 29, 2008 9:03 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 09:03
You already know I relish the whole planning and daydreaming bit. I don't plan color schemes though and I think it's interesting to hear how other people plan their gardens. I always think in terms of what flowers I want to cut to bring into the house, what vegetables I want to harvest from my own yard, and what herbs I want to cook with. I do enjoy when people work with color palettes in their gardens but I think all colors go well in nature so I let it be a complete mish-mash most of the time.
However, I suppose, as I'm thinking about this, there is some small nod to balancing the colors we put in the yard because I was trying to have a lot of variation with the roses I'm planning to plant. Tying not to have them all be pink (though that's my favorite, it's not Philip's).
What a great discussion!
Posted by Angelina | February 29, 2008 9:36 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 09:36
Love the daylily and birdhouse pics.
I do plan my vegetable garden, because I have very little space and lots I want to grow. If I didn't plan each veggie, I wouldn't get it all in!
As for my non-food garden, I have it broken up into really loose "themes." There's the native plant bed, the coral-coloured bed, and the black-and-white bed. Within those confines (and sometimes not!) anything goes. I inevitably move plants around more than once during the season, refining and defining the garden as it grows. It's totally a trial-and-error thing for me, and a work in progress. I love it!
Posted by Heavy Petal | February 29, 2008 10:20 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 10:20
I did some late fall plantings that will be a bit of a surprise when they hatch...we'll see what pops out! Love Lilies. I have my fair share. Foxglove is what I NEED more of! I love those. I add spots of while in each garden spot. White glows so pretty in the summer dusk.
Posted by Kim | February 29, 2008 11:01 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 11:01
Hi! I love that birdhouse hanging on the shepherd's hook! This year, I am really going to try and stick to my basic pinks and whites. This is year number 3 for several of my peonies so I am keeping my fingers crossed for some long-awaited blooms. And I have a rose arbor project in the works. Hopefully, we will have some rain here in the South, unlike our drought last year.
Posted by Katie | February 29, 2008 11:02 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 11:02
I have that same bird cage! I'm starting to come out of my winter funk and think about spring too. I just can't wait!
Posted by Jen | February 29, 2008 11:11 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 11:11
Know what my plans are? I'm looking to your for inspiration my friend, and much needed help!!!!!
Hugs,
Rose
Posted by Rose@Classic Charm | February 29, 2008 1:32 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 13:32
Well I'm taking my first try at a flower garden this year. Up until now we've lived in an apartment. I have NO CLUE what to do or where to start. I'll be the one taking loads of photos to the local garden center come spring and saying....do we live in the climate for this? Can I have this? Do you have any of these? Or how do I get this look? Oh boy are they gonna love me! lol
Posted by Heidi | February 29, 2008 2:09 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 14:09
I am new at the gardening game! We moved into our house in January of last year and so what was planted there was a lovely suprise! And since I'm an absolute beginner gardener, I didn't know what any of it was, other than pretty. But I've started my own herb garden to get my hands dirty and hope to learn more. Your pics are beautiful!
Posted by Shannon | February 29, 2008 4:20 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 16:20
First of all, I love your birdcage! What a great piece of garden jewlery!
My garden is done in a purple, orange, and white scheme with a lot of perrenials. But I love mixing in some brave new annuals each year and let them keep things looking different. I also do a lot of plant swaps with a friend and love how we save money as we share. This will only be our second year here and it was fun to see what the previous owner had planted as it came up, fun to move some of the stuff around, and really fun to add my own things. Peruvian Verbina is my current favorite. It looks pretty paired with big, fat marigolds and white sweet allysum up front (purple,orange, white!).
All the best to you in your garden this spring and summer. Can't wait to see what comes up!
Posted by Jennifer P. | February 29, 2008 5:01 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 17:01
Your english cottage garden is so nice...
Daylilies are fabulous... I also love them and have plenties...together with my old roses, iris, hollyhocks, digitalis, peonys and roses again... :) I wish you a nice weekend ~Annie
Posted by Annie | March 1, 2008 3:58 AM
Posted on March 1, 2008 03:58
Angela, that lovely photo stopped me right in my tracks! Ahhh, I can almost forget the snow and ice we got last night...almost...
I especially love the pretty bird cage in the garden. Silly me has one like that tucked up in the attic, guess where it will be this summer!
Posted by Melanie | March 1, 2008 7:00 AM
Posted on March 1, 2008 07:00
I love the birdcage. The pictures are just so lovely. I'm absolutely mad with desire for summer. NO MORE SNOW.
Posted by oliver rain | March 1, 2008 9:44 AM
Posted on March 1, 2008 09:44
Aaaahhhh spring, I can't wait!
I have plans for the periennial bed around the back patio. I noticed some non-blooming times last year, so I'm looking to fill in with some late spring-early summer blooming plants.
My annuals and hanging baskets I just play it by ear...whatever strikes me when I walk in the greenhouse usually determines the color palette for the year.
I'd also like to do something with the front of house, but that will require major landscaping and maybe a professional. LOL
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | March 1, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on March 1, 2008 11:15
Oh Angela,
I so desperately need to have a good garden consult with you...I really should send you some photos so you can help a sister out.
Lisa
coastal nest
Posted by Lisa | March 1, 2008 1:06 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 13:06
Angela
Some great spots in your garden, how nice to visit now when we need it!
Posted by Tara | March 1, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 16:30
Thanks for sharing the photos. Sigh! I keep reading on many blogs that "Spring is in the air". Well, it isn't "in the air" where I live quite yet (Canada) and am hoping that all of my american friends can blow some warm air up my way!! LOL! Your garden in your old house is lovely. I can't wait to see what you do with your new garden.
Posted by Jill | March 1, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 16:53
Isn't fun to see what "happens" in those more haphazard gardens? I tend to plant with a fair amount of planning and then see what happens over time. I usually like the way plants find their ways into spots of their own choosing.
Cheers!
Carol
Posted by Carol Soules | March 1, 2008 7:20 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 19:20
It's so hard to plan for Spring when there so much Winter still on the ground in the form of snow-lol.
Actually I'm not laughing out loud because I've been the one shoveling with my husband out of town. No fun!
At least I can live vicariously through your photos, right?
Have a great week!
Posted by LIsa | March 2, 2008 6:07 AM
Posted on March 2, 2008 06:07
Hi, just found you while blog-hopping this morning. I love the color of those flowers! and what a clever idea for storing thread - a lesson learned in keeping my eye's open and thinking outside the box. now I want a cute storage container for all my pretty threads I have hidden away for no one to see.
Posted by Diana | March 2, 2008 7:14 AM
Posted on March 2, 2008 07:14
Most of my favorite plants were those that were shared out of others gardens. They are always the ones that do the best too..since they have already proven themselves in the local area.
Posted by Julie Size | March 3, 2008 12:35 PM
Posted on March 3, 2008 12:35
Hi Angela,
I have been dreaming of spring too, and think I will have to start my seedlings soon. I am not sure what I want to plant this year, something different I think for sure.
Ellen
Posted by ellen Crimi-Trent | March 3, 2008 12:50 PM
Posted on March 3, 2008 12:50
I love those photos of your garden! Last fall I gave away 8 of my rose bushes that suffered from black spot and lack of sunshine and planted a lot of bulbs so this spring and summer will be full of surprises and hopefully lots of blooms too! Sure do enjoy your website!
Posted by Lindy | March 4, 2008 10:31 AM
Posted on March 4, 2008 10:31
Sooo beautiful! Love the colour scheme and the wonderful bird cage. Thank you, you inspire me!
Posted by Poppins | March 4, 2008 12:19 PM
Posted on March 4, 2008 12:19
I have every intention of planning my garden, but somehow, when I get to the nursery, my plans fall awry and I end up with something of a mishmash. I need to go with a list and stick to it.
The longing for a pastel English garden wars desperately with the desire for colour - then there's the country French part of me that says something else. I'm a schizophrenic gardener!
I do plan my vegetable garden, rotating the crops through the beds and such.
Lorrie
Posted by Lorrie | March 4, 2008 12:53 PM
Posted on March 4, 2008 12:53
I wish I had the gardening gene. I'm lucky if I get a few pots of flowers on the front porch. It gets so hot here I usually give up on flowers by mid July. We work hard at keeping the grass alive. I will have to live vicariously through you!
Posted by lucinda | March 4, 2008 3:34 PM
Posted on March 4, 2008 15:34
Angela,
I am so glad I found your blog! What a wonderful time I have had here. I will be back soon to visit. Please come by and see me sometime at Nora Lee's Nook.
Have a great day.
Sandra
Posted by Sandra | March 6, 2008 4:53 AM
Posted on March 6, 2008 04:53
Oh....I needed these pics on this cold grey Texas day. Bring on the spring and the flowers!! I love your page.....so beautiful and inspiring!
Best,
LaurieAnna
Posted by LaurieAnna's Vintage Home | March 6, 2008 8:53 AM
Posted on March 6, 2008 08:53
Good question! I do planning and freewheeling in equal measures. Shocking, isn't it, for a designer I mean. :-) But it's my own garden so I can do what I want and BTW my garden has its say too. And the kitties have their say, and the birds, and the butterflies and ......... Well, let's say that the end result is a combined effort! :-)
Have a great weekend!
Posted by yolanda elizabet | March 7, 2008 1:55 AM
Posted on March 7, 2008 01:55
Humm - just checking on you. Not like you to wait a whole week to post~!
Posted by Julie Size | March 7, 2008 8:20 AM
Posted on March 7, 2008 08:20
I LOVE birdhouses and birdcages! Your birdcage is SO cute how you have it hanging in the garden! It's beautiful!
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 4:37 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 04:37