In the Garden

Whew! I'm having company this week so I worked in the yard all day today. I got most everything done except fertilizing, cutting up a pile of branches and cleaning the furniture. Everything looks so nice. I told Sweety that I think that plants have feelings and know when they are cared for and appreciated. They seem to perk up when I fuss with them. He said, "you really like to do yard work, don't you?" Truth be told, for me it's a means to an end in the summer. I don't like hot weather and usually don't go outside and work as often as I should. In the spring and fall, however, you can't get me inside.

One thing that I have learned in gardening is to balance the plants with a few hard scape elements. It adds such a nice definition and contrast to the yard. Now, garden snob that I am, I am definitely not talking about plastic lawn ornaments and flamingos. I have a few nurseries in the area that always seem to have just the right treasure for me to tuck in among the flowers. I have lots of bunny statues and bird houses scattered around.

I love my Celtic Cross. Be sure to use white in the garden as it shows up so nicely in the evening.

You can use old found objects like this rusty tricycle tucked into a corner.

An iron filigree planter placed in another planter adds character and height.

Old chairs and bird houses can be re-purposed as planters.

A garden obelisk and a cat statue can give you something interesting to look at from inside the house.

When all else fails, you can get a dog to decorate the yard with!

"Stay, Maggie, Stay!!"