Vintage Bikes as Garden Decor

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There's something whimsical about a vintage bike. And if you paint it a fun color and add a container or basket for planting it brings on the happiness even more.

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Who cares if the tires are flat or the wheels are rusted? In the garden, these things don't matter. Perhaps the spokes will hold a pretty climber like clematis or morning glory.

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A basket or two added to the front, back or sides makes it even more functional for planting.

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Don't fret if the bike doesn't stand up on it's stand anymore. Simply lean it against a shed, a sturdy tree or fence to blend it into your garden space.

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Even suspended on a brick wall, it's beauty is apparent and unexpected. And it still manages to hold a basket of blooms.

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I am anxious to get in the garden this weekend. I may need to stop at the thrift shop first to capture this look!

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with fun and whimsy.

Spring? {Yes Please}

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Winter is still here. The patio screen door was frozen shut with freezing rain overnight. Once again, there is snow to shovel on the back deck and driveway.

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I would like a large order of Spring please. Don't scrimp on the sunshine, tree blossoms and butterflies.

The excitement of visiting the nurseries for new varieties of roses and geraniums, relaxing nights on the patio or deck with friends around the fire; these are the things I am yearning for in the middle of February.

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At least the days are getting longer and there is a 40 degree day here and there to give me hope. In the meantime, I'll be browsing through my Pinterest boards for garden ideas and projects. That blue pot tutorial above is definitely calling my name.

There is hope, spring is coming!

Storing Geraniums for Spring Rebloom

When cleaning out my potted plants before the really cold weather arrives, I decided to snip all the remaining blooms (and a few snapdragons from the garden as well) and enjoy them in a pretty blue Bell jar.

Typically I leave the geraniums in the pots to enjoy for the summer. As winter approaches, a pretty bouquet on the table seems a fitting farewell.

I found some really beautiful plants this past spring, and I'm going to do a little experiment and see if I can store them over the winter and bring them back into bloom next year. I found a few different methods online, and decided to stick with the simplest one that involved shaking off the dirt from the roots, putting the plants in a paper bag and storing them in a cool location. Right now I have them in the garage, but it may get too cold in there later in the winter. Some of the sites said to pull the plants out and soak the roots for an hour once a month.

I may end up with sacks of dead plants, but I figured I would give it a try. Have you ever heard of overwintering geraniums in paper bags or have any tips for success?

Simple Fall Deck Decor

The blooms have faded from my garden candelabra, but I can't bear to pull out the plants. This piece was picked up at a flea market a few years ago, and is always a joy to fill each spring. All lit up with candles, it's really a beautiful addition to the garden view.

Bringing a little fall to the back deck with these gourds, I decided to put them in place of the candles. It's a touch of whimsy, but also keeps the gourds a bit more out of reach of my golden retrievers.

I'm amazed that they stay on the candle bases. These orange gourds brought the beauty back to a summer container planting. They're just as beautiful as the flowers were.

 

Joe Pye Weed {What's Blooming this Week}

Joe Pye Weed is a majestic flower. Besides the Delphiniums, these blooms are the tallest in my garden. It is slow to sprout up from the ground in the spring, but by late summer it is the star of the garden.

The flowers are like clusters, similar to Sedum, but not as full and a pretty rose color. The tiny little buds open and the bees just love them.

I love the muted color of the flowers with the deep green of the leaves and red stems. Grown next to Autumn Joy Sedum, the contrast of the two shades of green is beautiful.

This summer the blooms are just at the top of my three foot fence. In a normal rainfall season, it would be a few inches taller.

Oh, the joys of the perennial garden... I'm enjoying the beauty while it lasts!

A Tour of My Garden

There is no better satisfaction to a gardener than seeing the garden in full bloom. There's lots of pictures here of some of the beauty my flowers have brought me this season.... enjoy!

All the work.... it's worth it.

Linking to:

Common Ground  - Vintage Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home
The Charm of Home
Jennifer Rizzo
Elizabeth & Co.
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Lavender Garden Cottage

Sheffield Garden Walk {Pretty City Gardens}

I spent the day in Chicago's Lincoln Park at the Sheffield Garden Walk. Amid the magnificent brownstones were beautiful gardens small in size but great in impact.

Although I enjoy a large yard and garden in the suburbs, the small size of these gardens appeals to me in terms of the amount of care required to maintain them. Style and traditional garden beauty is not lacking in these spaces. In a smaller garden, planning becomes even more important.

This is a beautiful neighborhood, and pride is apparent everywhere. The event is a fundraiser for the neighborhood association and this year is the 44th annual garden walk. This post is full of photos... some of the gardens and some of beautiful neighborhood homes. Enjoy!

Within the small spaces, beauty and variety are not spared. The amount of time to care for a garden like this would be manageable and enjoyable. And as you can see from the pictures, the results are astounding!