I was recently asked to give some input
for Tommy's gardens in his small
backyard city lot. I've never been on this
property except through pictures and this
new friend isn't even close enough for me
to pop on over to and visit!
You see Tommy's garden is in
San Francisco...
and I live in Michigan!
*see story
This first picture was a presentation of
new flowers, and a water fountain
he had recently purchased.
This area is along a sidewalk path and is
where we began discussing what to do
with the things he had and
the new things he had purchased.
I stared and stared at this area and
finally I had to have everything removed
so I could understand the space better.
All these plants were not intended to
be in one spot but they
certainly were pretty together!
My first idea was to bring these two tall
pots (he had in another location) over here and
set them by the fountain.
One of the difficulties in this space is
that he has an electrical outlet on a post
that can't be removed so it has to be
worked into this vignette.
After seeing this- I jotted down a
very technical drawing scanned it
and sent it to him via e-mail..
Now be nice and don't laugh too hard!
I am not an artist by any means!
After the initial placement, it seemed as
though less symmetry was the better way
to go. There already was an established
hydrangea that he didn't want to move,
so I decided to create a cluster. I made
use of the hydrangea, the fountain and
one tall pot in a triangular formation,
and it started to take on a better look.
The big stone on the corner got moved
to the center and the tall pots ended up
sticking around.
He also has a shrub he planted in a
square pottery planter that has been
included on the far right corner.
Now the fountain has been moved
and the stone has been centered.
Being from Michigan I know what I can
grow- but wasn't quite as sure about
his area. Fortunately a lot of plants that
I am familiar with do well there too!
He picked up some Astilbe and
the Irish Moss I suggested.
He's done all the planting and
positioning-and I think he's done
a fantastic job!
Again, please refrain from laughing too hard!
Another very technical drawing of mine!
I visualized a lattice piece covering the
electrical outlet post that was a sore spot
to work with- and painting it all black-
hoping it would blend in more.
He put it together, and found a Jasmine
plant to grow on it. I believe this is going
to look great and smell terrific!
Tommy found some Liriope to add in
and small river rocks. He placed them
around the base of the rock
and mixed in the green Irish Moss, which
will help naturalize it!
As you can see the lattice did help to
lessenthe look of the outlet post
and we both agreed the square pot
wasn't working on this corner, so
It's been moved.
On the left here are some of the plants he
had in the cluster (where we started),
and acouple more new ones he planted.
Everything here is a perennial so he
won't have to re-plant next year.
The square pot is in limbo, but the shrub
is going to be removed from the pot and
planted in the location it's at right now.
(The fencing is temporary while the grass fills in better, and to keep
his dog off of it for a little while longer)
I'd love to see Hostas here, but he says the
climate there produces slugs so bad they
ruin them. I'd also love to see Roses, but
that's another one he's had trouble with.
We all have to learn what works for us.
Just to the right of the fountain is this
covered gazebo with furniture and a
cast stone fire pit...
I talked him into cleaning all the concrete.
Their climate grows algae real good and
I felt it needed freshening up!
After the concrete was cleaned he put
back the furniture in a new order.
A diluted bleach solution got right after
the algae and a power washer finished
the job!
(Doesn't it look better!)
This should be great for conversations
and enjoying the fire!
I felt the blue pottery should be kept
together and it was his choice where to
put them..so he located them near the
back cement step that leads towards
the house. That's a water fountain next
to the grouping too, plus the other
two items on the left have been
moved elsewhere.
The clusters of ferns were here from
before. Tommy wanted some color, so
it was decided to place the Cineraria in
between the ferns. I suggested he use
Impatiens in the front of this fern area
all along the walkway. This is going to
look great as it matures!
The star of this home-Taylor! Isn't he too cute!Tommy's added two footed planters..looks marvelous! The brown urn water feature has a new home as well as the square pottery piece has been re-planted and the obelisk added...I think he's got the gardening bug now for sure! Looking to the rear of the lot is where he
has his dining furniture. All the flowering
shrubs were there- they must be beautiful
when they are blooming!
I was studying the pottery and asked
him what he has out front by his entry
door...I figured that pot on the pedestal
with the asparagus fern would by nice
by the door..so he took it out there and
It looks just great!
He has worked hard to make all this
happen and I've just been the idea
assistant behind the scenes.
This project was about working with
what he already had.
Mainly he was looking for help with plant choices and laying things out. Together through the internet we've
tweaked this area and I know he will
enjoy watching the plants mature
and fill in.
After all that is the joy of gardening!
*After posting my garden/backyard area on HGTV's Rate My Space's on-line blogging forum I have met a group of people that share some common interests in decorating, crafting and gardening. A group of us started a friendship that has joined us on Facebook. We regularly share ideas and projects in a private group on Facebook.
