Take Time to Relax and Enjoy Your Gardens
Last week we talked about Planting a Good Foundation Garden which is the perfect segue to talk about the true function of our wrap around porch and that is…to relax! So join me for this mini tour of porch gazebo and blooming gardens.
Personally, I think porches are underrated these days. So many new houses put all the focus on the back deck. In our neighborhood, we are the only house to have a wrap around porch. We’ve received so many nice compliments on it too. Over the years, we’ve seen three houses that have added on a small porch to the front of their house. Did we inspire them? Maybe. I hope so.
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One of my favorite segments from the What’s in My Garden tour is definitely the gazebo at the end of our wrap-around porch. Technically, it’s a half-gazebo but it still functions just as lovely as though it were a full gazebo. I’ll forewarn you, this post is loaded with lots of luscious garden photos!
The least developed garden around our house is along the side porch and around the gazebo. This spot is also the perfect spot to take a quick nap on a hot summer day. There’s nothing like drifting off to sleep as you listen to the crickets chirp.
This spot also gets the hot afternoon sun, so it can get really hot at times. Yet on a cloudy, slightly windy day it could also deliver quite the shiver when that soft breeze blows through the shaded porch.
Relaxing and Enjoying The Gardens
When I look out into the back yard, I get a view of the conical evergreen we transplanted from our butterfly garden, as well as another butterfly bush.
This garden is host to one of the (now) four butterfly bushes we have around our house gardens. I will always see the monarch butterfly float from bush to bush replenishing its’ hunger. It truly is a beautiful sight indeed.
That is one major benefit to having gardens around your house. They bring so many visitors and while they enjoy your gardens -you get to enjoy them too!
As I sit and look out towards the road, I get a view of this beautiful Rose of Sharon flowering shrub. We’ve actually moved this beast at least four to five times already. But as I admired it this summer I’ve come to realize we will need to move it yet again. This shrub attracts a number of bees and that made it difficult to actually sit on the porch this summer. With a yellow house, I’m sure the bees already think it’s a gigantic flower and we do have a bee problem.
So I think I’ll be moving this beautiful shrub down into the back yard in the fall. Directly behind the Rose of Sharon is a porch sign that reads, “This is my happy place” with an arrow pointing to the gazebo. It goes without saying, this year we really slacked off in weed control because it was just too darn hot outside!
Of all my hosta plants, this was the first time I ever caught one so perfectly symmetrical and without burned leaves. Naturally I had to grab a photo of it. But, by far though the next hosta plant photo is my favorite!
One day after it had stopped raining I took a walk around the gardens. I saw these elephant ear hosta leaves with raindrops on them and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to grab a photo to document my walk in the garden. I also really love these particular hostas because their leaves are almost in the shape of a long heart.
This leaf shape is what inspired me to add the quote, “A beautiful garden is a work of heart!” to the photo above.
When it is not too hot on the porch, you can often find me relaxing in the evening with a glass of wine. It’s the most peaceful time after a busy day; a place to unwind and let all your worries go. In this spot I have beautiful views all around me. I just put my feet up, close my eyes and listen to nature all around me.
Welcome To My Happy Place
When I found these white wicker furniture pieces I just knew they were perfect for our covered porch. Each year I’ll arrange them in different ways across the whole porch. But mostly I keep them on the side porch and in the gazebo as we have two white rocking chairs on the front porch. I love being able to mix and match this whole set.
In past garden posts, I’ve commented about how we need to get the porch floor paint color off and either stain it or replace it altogether. That’ll be a big project! But once that is completed, I have my wish list of things I want to do in this porch and garden space.
Porch Gazebo Project Wishlist
- Hang sheer curtains in just the gazebo
- Place an outdoor throw rug down
- Get new furniture cushions
- Install decorative chandelier (maybe)
- Hang outdoor lights
- Plant good foundation garden with weed control
I hope you have enjoyed this relaxing tour of our porch gazebo and surrounding gardens. Above all else, I do hope it has inspired you to take some time to relax and enjoy your gardens. Go ahead -have the glass of wine too! Don’t forget to come back next week when I’ll be talking about the benefits of gardening.
Were you inspired to take some time out to enjoy your gardens?
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