Having an arty weekend at your home is a good incentive to get some yard work done! When we had some trees removed this winter, the sunshiney areas in my courtyard tripled and I've had a chance to add some roses to the area.
We've never had enough sun back there before to grow much other than ground cover and begonias. So, this week, I planted some knockout roses and a few miniature roses. Knockouts are so easy to take care (you don't have to do anything much more than watering as needed) I can't get enough of them. And they always go on sale at Home Depot for $10 around Mother's Day.
I'd hoped to replace a drooping deck this year, but we ran out of time. (I don't even want to talk about budget, we'll just say there was no time to do it).
The boards are warped and some stick up. My temporary solution was an outdoor rug under the tables. I found one on sale at Kohls for $85, which is much quicker and cheaper than ripping out a deck and replacing it. I saved soooo much money on the deck issue, that I splurged and bought a colorful new umbrella from World Market too ($99) and a couple cement birds from TJMaxx ($6 each). I really should have taken the photo with the cushions on the chairs (sky blues) and the umbrella open (blue, pink, orange, green paisleys on cream).
Don't you just love it when bloggers basically say, "here is a crappy picture, please use your imagination, I promise it really looks better than the photo"?
I've been rearranging the tables and chairs too, and now have two groupings that I like, one on the gravel and one on the drooping deck.
In my dream world, the whole area is redone in paver stones, with moss and thyme peeking between the stones, and there is a fountain trickling in the center of it all.
In real life, I have second hand furniture held together with wire and a deck that trips people in one area and a pile of gravel in another.
But instead of dilapidated, I chose to call it charming. And when the court yard is filled with my friends at Birdsong, it will be so cozy and fun! (as long as no one trips on that dang, droopy deck)
Hello Karla. I love knockout roses, too! They take the Texas heat well and bloom all summer. All we do is water and prune them, occasionally. I have noticed that after pruning them, 12 -14 days later they are full of new blooms again. If we are planning on a party, we will cut them back about 2 weeks prior to the event. I am just sure that at Birdsong, no one even notices warped boards or mismatched seating; they are having way too much fun. Our garden is forever needing maintenance, as well. A woman’s work is never done, inside or out! Love your blog!! Hugs, Laura
I love your collection of metal chairs. Our garden is so wee that your new umbrella would cover half of it! But apart from some tidying by my other half, I’ve not started to do anything with it yet! My excuse is that I have things to make for fairs etc so haven’t the time for gardening!
Happy gardening.
Hi Karla,
when I opened yer blog and saw thew umbrella; I just said; waaaaaaauw, that is a nice one.
Great you just bought it.
All the chairs and tables look so good at the gravel.
I also love the new carpet for outside, what a nice idea.
And don’t we all have a dream world about the things we want to do and so. I think it is good to dream.
Wished so much I could be there at that special weekend.
I wish you all a lot of fun and great weather.
Karla, love the mini-makeover! Can’t wait to see it in person… I am sure it is charming. BTW, I am jealous that you’ve jumped right into Spring and am seeing so much green in your garden! Our tulips haven’t even bloomed here in MN (usually by Mother’s Day weekend we have lilacs) and as I type this, my heater is on! Our temps last night went into the 30s again. See you soon!! xox
It looks great Karla. I can’t wait to see it when we are out for birdsong.
Can’t imagine how it could look better than the photo, which looks really great! You’re right about the arrival of guests. Really makes a huge difference in the mojo factor. And best thing — after the guests go, you still have this little outdoor haven!
Karla, everything looks so fresh and clean to me.
~elaine
Such pretty photos — complete with a kitty to cuddle! I can hardly wait. P.S. I had to Google “knockout roses”!
Your garden is wonderful. I wouldn’t change a thing. Wanted to let you know, I received your “Book of Enchantments” kit yesterday and it is unbelievably wonderful. Hopefully I will have some time this weekend to start working on it. Thanks again on your attention to detail. It truly is the “little things” that make something special.
Karla, your place is always magical…