8.17.2009

My Garden


I wanted to paint my door a fun new color, but due to strict HOA's I had to get creative in order to make my home stand out from the crowd. I bought the dragonfly door knocker years ago from Target and painted it white. The two lanterns are from Homegoods and added the simple pop I wanted. I did love my doormat, but with the new set up I am thinking I need something more simple and clean. Now on to the backyard...


We love to grill out, sit around the fire pit and roast marshmallows, and of course simply play. Oh, and there is a big ole playset at the far end of the yard, but I figured I didn't really need to show it. I would just love to paint stripes on the patio, but that will just have to wait till it gets cooler. Also I am planting creeping fig all along the back of the house in hopes of covering all the vinyl. Thinking back we do wish we paid the extra to have our home four sided brick instead of three. Then again we also thought we would have moved by now, but this lovely market is keeping us settled here.


This is where we dine alfresco. The hydrangeas in the back are limelights. They do great in the Alabama clay and full sun. Although the one on the far left is having quite a hard time.


Close up of a piece of my garden. Foxtail fern resides in the foreground, lamb's ears are the big green plants in the middle. I just love the texture and silvery hue they bring to the mix. They too are great for the clay soil and full sun. They start out small, but they have more than doubled in size since planting them last spring.


This area takes up a good portion of the yard. It first began because the sod all died and we thought it would be cheaper and easier to just plant a flower garden. We were wrong on both accounts, but are very happy with the results. Well, except for the butterfly bush that has all of a sudden decided to wither and die. I am hoping after cutting it back it will come back next spring. I can't wait to share new photos next year when everything becomes more established and full.

30 comments:

Traineeship said...

Your home is lovely. Your door is looking Fabulous with those added door accessories.

whole house water filter said...

I love your little garden very neat and beautiful the arrangement is well organize I love it.

Julia said...

How delightful! I love the front entry, it's charming with the knocker and lanterns!

frenchie said...

love what you've done with your front door!xxx

Anonymous said...

what a fun little tour of your garden! love the plants:) we're big marshmellow roasters too...think we might even have the same fire pit.

Sarah said...

Love the front door set up! I just painted mine too, and actually thought of a dragonfly door knocker. I wish you bought it more recently, I will check Target anyway!
www.realestatestyle.blogspot.com

My name is Erin. said...

I'm sorry you can't paint your front door. It does look nice the way you've decorated it though. I just recently painted our door the very shade of green that is on your doormat. I'm so happy with it.

Your yard is cute, too. And I LOVE the idea to paint stripes on the patio. That will be so cute!

Reid said...

Love your back yard! sorry you can't paint the door...I just put the first coat on mine. Hope to have some before and after pics up by the weekend. (painting a door red, requires SEVERAL coats!!)

Jennifer said...

looks lovely, Paula! might have to try some limelights ...

Haven and Home said...

Oh I loved seeing this peek at your house. Love the back yard and lanterns in the front!

bluehydrangea said...

Everything looks great!! One of my closest friends had that same dragonfly doorknocker and her front door was hot pink!! Seeing ti reminds me of her. Love it!

Blair Friedeman said...

Oh, so lovely! Love those large lanterns out front and your knocker is adorable.

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

It looks like a lovely place to have summer dinners. I covet your hydrangeas!

Britt said...

I love what you did to dress up your front door - it's beautiful! And I think that growing creeping fig up the walls of your house would be so pretty! In both of our last houses we tried growing ivy up the walls, but we weren't in either house long enough to see it really grow.

Monika said...

You have a wonderful garden! The butterfly knocker is so great!

megan and melissa said...

Your home is beautiful....I love hydrageas...they are one of my favorite flowers. Hope you had a good weekend. Oh and by the way my sister and I are hosting another fabulous giveaway on our blog...we would love it if you stopped by and entered for a chance to win!
xoxo-Meg
fiddlesticksandfunnygirls.blogspot.com

Char said...

beautiful and serene. I would love to sit around the fire pit having a glass of wine

angela hardison said...

your backyard looks really gorgeous... good job!

LindsB said...

What a beautiful front door and backyard- I love the little dragonfly knocker!

Vana said...

lovely front door. I have a thing for beautiful and nicely detailed doors.

Miss | A said...

simply beautiful!!! love it. my backyard is full of doggy poop!

Jenni Horne said...

I've really enjoyed catching up on your blog tonight! Just a little warning on the butterfly bush if it does decide to reappear next year, they grow very large! I have two the height of my house. But what a wonderful sight when the butterflies are enjoying it. I look forward to reading more very soon.

Under a Green Roof said...

your garden looks great! and isn't it funny the way house/yard projects that you think will be "cheaper" end up being the biggest money pits ever! at least it looks awesome!

Estelle Hayes said...

The front door area is beautiful and love all the photos and description of your backyard. I've been obsessed with my yard lately so hearing about yours is so fun.

Gracie said...

That looks like a great place to be with friends and family. I adore your bbq area. Your front door is cute with that dragonfly knocker. And the lanterns on the side are a really lovely touch.

la la Lovely said...

so pretty!!!! You are such a good decorator..even outdoors!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Paula- your yard looks so great. Loving the hydrangeas....

kadler said...

You have such a beautiful yard! Living in an apartment, I miss grass and outdoor time so much!

inkWELL Press said...

Paula, you have the most beautiful garden space. I thought you would - you are such a big gardener! I love that last image the best... I'm inspired.

belinda said...

gorgeous! i love the knocker. very glam