new pots & arch

I've made a few changes to the garden recently. Some I'm really happy with. However, let me be open and honest here (I'm amongst friends after all) some just aren't right. 

I got it into my head (like I do) that I wanted some pots by the front gate to make the entrance a bit more cheerful. I went for plastic pots as cars quite often park on our front and I didn't want a nice pot breaking, I don't mind the black plastic planter either really, it's cheap and cheerful and does the job. 

I'm not keen on my planting job though, it needs some work. I've been researching container ideas as I really am struggling at the moment, I don't know whether anyone else gets like this but I feel rather uninspired. If anyone has any nice planting suggestions it would be much appreciated and might be just the ticket.  

I've planted orange geums, bronze fennel and a purple dwarf lupin which I like together.

And some little forget-me-nots.

But the thyme just looks plain weird in there, like a big yellow blob. As do the little violas that I put in to fill in the gaps, they're just too small. Am thinking maybe some nasturtiums might look nice and maybe some chocolate cosmos for a wild and cottagey effect. Any ideas folks?

I also treated myself to two little heart baskets as I admired them so much in Maria's garden. They were just £9 for two from Sainsbury's which I thought was an absolute steal as they are rather adorable.

I've rearranged the pots too as some of them were looking a little sad.

Plus I had to make room for some purchases. The little square pot with the fern below is new. I'm trying to build up my collection of plants to last through winter so this little beauty is evergreen. 

As is his little friend, the grass below.

I also re-did the two planters behind the table and chairs as everything in there had been and done its thing in early spring and looked in a pretty bad state. Am not too happy with these either I'm afraid, I told you I was feeling uninspired and I wasn't kidding. Again I popped some violas in that I had leftover from the heart baskets, I also planted some thyme and hebe but it's just not right. Oh well, at least nothing in there looks like it's on deaths door, it just needs a little more thought. Maybe a trip to the library is in store (closely followed by the garden centre).

Allsy helped me put up the arch which I'm liking though.

I'm going to grow Clematis 'The President' up one side and the plan is to grow Sweet pea 'Matucana' up the other side for a big arch of purple, sweet smelling loveliness. That's the plan anyway.

Anyways, luckily the garden is romping away nicely without my interference, even if the pots aren't quite right...

It's starting to fill up nicely, a little on the wild side but that's how I like it. The Aquilegias are about to flower any day now too so I am so very excited for their return. Much to look forward to...