Cottage Garden Tour
Hi, friends! It seems Spring has taken a little longer to arrive in Atlanta this year! But finally, I think it’s here, and I could not be happier! I’m sure you feel the same about wanting Spring to be here, too! Today, I’m going to share some pictures that hopefully will inspire you of my little cottage garden in the spirit of moving onward to warmer weather…….
Spanish lavender
Our garden has evolved over the course of 10 years, and is a functioning vegetable garden, as well as a cottage flower garden. We have all types of roses and perennials, statues, orbs, obelisks, and some repurposed items that we created. The beauty of a cottage garden vs. a formal garden is that even when you have forgotten to weed from time to time, it all blends in, and the eclectic nature just kind of looks like you planned it!
Take this area, for example. Morning glories trail all around my peony, but does it really matter? I didn’t intend for those to grow there, but what do the little plants care, right?!
Almost 10 years ago, my husband, boys, & I moved rocks from the neighborhood when they were building houses. We placed those around the edge of the garden to make a wall. We bought the flagstone from a landscape company, and my husband created a path.
I love the Savannah Bird Girl statue……http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_Girl tells you the origin of this statue, if you are interested. I saw this statue in an empty lot, where someone was planning on having a sale. She sat there for 2 weeks, and finally, I HAD to have her. You don’t want to hear all the details, but let’s just say, I went about it in a legal fashion:)
This photo of our garden was taken late one Spring day last year….I love this angle with the beautyberry in the foreground~
This is a bottletree we made with an old shovel head for a finial. A Cecile Brunner climbing rose is in bloom here, and a Miss Kim lilac is the other plant, to the right~ I stick with shades of white, pink, and purple in my garden because I want a tranquil resting place…nothing too bright.
I also love rabbit statues in my cottage garden~
Around Easter last year, I went out to find these beautiful Robin eggs. If that’s not the most perfect color in nature, I don’t know what is! Truly brought me so much joy just seeing those beautiful eggs! It’s the simple things, right?!
We used to have this large rabbit in our front yard, but HOA asked us to move it. ( it’s like 100 pounds of pure concrete…. )It is now in my back courtyard, amidst the ivy, and near a fountain. I think he’s so whimsical! I guess not everyone likes 3 feet tall bunnies in their neighborhood? Say it isn’t so…..
A few pictures of my porch…..
I love this succulent, which came from a gas station on our way back from the beach one year. It is an amazing plant, and has been the gift that keeps giving for over 6 years. I just leave it on my covered porch and it comes back every year stronger and stronger. I think it’s really beautiful! We believe the correct name is Donkey Tail sedum.
I am so ready to dig in the dirt, and get some new projects going in the garden! I found a really great large orb to be my focal point for the birdbath in the center of the garden, and two orbs to go in urns that have finials. Each year, I try to add a few new plants, usually perennials. I try to keep my statues and architecturally interesting items streamlined, so as not to look like Sanford & Son…..:) It may be too late….
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Wikipedia image
For me, Spring is digging in the dirt, smelling the freshly cut grass and the Earth, hearing the birds sing, and longer days to spend with friends and family.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my garden tour….I’d love to hear what you love about Spring, and what projects you have going on!!
Rachael says
April 10, 2013 at 10:10 amMelanie~You have always been a master at gardening! I have always admired your work in this area. It all looks so serene!
Melanie @ The Painted Chandelier says
April 16, 2013 at 3:34 pmWell I don’t know about the “master” thing….but thank you, Rachael, for your kind words and support!!