Tuesday 14 May 2013

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... 


22 comments:

  1. Gardens looking gorgeous and i think your a bit hard on yourself about the containers xXx mumly

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    1. Thanks Mumly, I know it's probably me being daft, they're just not quite right and it's bugging me! I can't stop thinking about the planter by the gate, I'm going to have to change it I'm afraid xx

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  2. Gorgeousness - if that's even a word!
    It all looks so lovely, the planter included, mine planters are all empty - that's how useless I am this year so far.

    But just for you:
    http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=gardening%20planter%20ideas

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    1. Haha thank you! I have tried so many different variations of words on Pinterest to try to get some ideas, I hadn't thought of that combination so thank you (As much as I love it Pinterest can be a bit overwhelming at times with its possibilities can't it, much like google!) :)

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  3. oh my goodness it looks fab! I have nothing really as yet...you have colour! The heart baskets are divine! xxx

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    1. Thanks Jane, I'm hoping the colour remains, all my poor tulips have been ravaged by the recent rain! x

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  4. Hello! Those little baskets are very sweet - and that one on the gate looks cute.

    Nasturtiums are good as they fill in gaps and you can get trailing ones. Just beware - they go crazy if you plant them in beds and they're happy (but then I quite like that - and they're easy enough to pull back up again).

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    1. I know what you mean, I grew them last year and they trailed and climbed their way through absolutely everything! I was very thankful for them though, I absolutely loved the colours and they did a grand job of filling up the borders.

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  5. Your house and garden are both gorgeous! I love your pots - I have a few but need to do a lot more, I have a lot of spaces around the garden that could be brightened up with a pot.

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    1. Yes pots do work wonders don't they. As our house is rented they're also very handy as when we move the plants can easily come with us :)

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  6. what a lovely house and garden you have so English country. The plastic pots are a good idea least they wont get frost blown in the winter. The idea is the nasturtiums are good too and tasty in a salad. In a few month we are about to make a new potted area in our garden so its lovely to be inspired by yours :)

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    1. Can't wait to see your new potted area, how very exciting! :)

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  7. What a great house and garden, so tidy too! I had one of those little greenhouses but it blew away last year, would love a proper greenhouse again.

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    1. It is my dream to have a proper glass greenhouse! Am not overly fond of my plastic one but it will do for the time being, it does the job and it was very kindly given to me as my granddad has apparently retired from growing tomatoes :)

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  8. Love the tubs and baskets, a great way to add seasonal colour.

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  9. So lush and lovely and the little hanging basket on the gate is just beautiful.

    Nina x

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  10. Wow, it looks like you've been a busy bean! Loving your baskets and all the colour. Heading over from How does your garden grow :)

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    1. Thanks Charly Dove, I have found some great gardens already from that series. Thanks for popping by :)

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  11. One of the prettiest gardens I have ever seen - love it. I think the pot is perfect and the thyme goes well. I have a great book for planting pots, you may know about it....Country Containers by Stephanie Donaldson. It's an old book but really good for planting ideas.

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    1. Thank you Homebird, had never heard of that book but have just found a cheap second hand copy online, it looks lovely, definitely right up my street! Thank you so much for the recommendation x

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