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Monday, June 18, 2012

Cottage Patio Garden









I love the romance of a cottage garden, but in our dry climate it's a real investment in time and water. A patio garden has been a more realistic solution for us. As much as we love growing things, our time is really spent elsewhere, and our small patios are close enough to keep a good eye on things and appreciate just a few plants at close range.





As small as it is, a tiny container garden still creates a challenge. A few things here haven't been re-potted yet. Our petunias got invaded by something already and are on their way back. We would love everything to look lush, but at our stage of the game we congratulate ourselves on keeping everything alive and fairly healthy. . . so far.





This is a fairly sheltered area, but maybe you can get a sense of our intense New Mexico sunshine on a ninety-two degree day. There is little hope of a brief rain shower until July.















A few kitchen herbs keep us well supplied. This is a new darker leafed basil Mr. C&C is trying out.















Thank goodness for low maintenance geraniums! They like to dry out between waterings. We do THAT pretty well!  :o)











 
In order to get some shots from inside I grabbed a bit of vintage cotton that I had torn into strips for a tieback.





When I found that the fabric of an old vintage pillowcase had finally given out I almost tossed it on the scrap pile, but then- DUH- remembered how many times I had seen these strips used as ribbon and embellishments for things.  I'm sure you will be seeing them again!







Well that's the cottage living report for now! Summertime. . . , and the livin' is easy. . . . Enjoy the official start of summer this week! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hi!

Jacqueline

P.S. I'll be getting back to you soon with emails, phone calls, comments, answers, and requests. I have my days set to the standard summer time zone! Thank you so much! xx




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45 comments:

  1. Your blog is beautiful, I enjoyed strolling through, the whites, the pinks, the delicate linens with the table cloth so delicate, hand made, wonderful.
    Cindy

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  2. I love your sweet romantic patio, Jacqueline!

    You know I need some ties like that to tie back my patio sheers. Right now I am using ugly rope DH gave me, yuck.

    I didn't realize I was probably over watering my potted geraniums, they slowed down growth and I bet in my zeal to make sure I watered enough I over did it- thanks for the tip. I seldom care for annuals.

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  3. Your patio looks so pretty!! I love your big urn.

    Kathy

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  4. Just lovely, Jacqueline! I love all your containers, but that large metal one is just gorgeous!

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  5. What a lovely spot to relax! I love all of your iron stands...enjoy summertime!

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  6. You are so lucky!What a beautiful garden.I love your sitting area too!I have that same pillow case LOL.And we LOVE basil in this house.One of our favorite herbs to grow.I plant many of those because we eat it all up!
    (((Hugs))
    Anne

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  7. I know -- my petunias have been eaten on already and the geraniums are struggling to bloom. My son keeps reminding me that we live in the GAD (The Great American Desert)!! Sally

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  8. Container gardening is so satisfying. I cut my petunias back when they get leggy and they bloom quite nicely again. Love your metal planters. Joe and I have bitten off a huge chunk with an acre of yard that we plant flowers in. I am aching now because of it.

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  9. It must be difficult to keep things growing in such intense dry heat. I really like the white iron container of pink frothiness.
    The pinks look pretty against the walls of your patio. It is actually getting quite dry here and there is no rain until Friday. I noticed the grass in one spot is turning brown and the flower beds are dry. I'll have to do some watering tonight. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Pamela

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  10. I always love visiting your blog. How pretty your photos of your garden are!! Such delicate colours, very soothing to look at out of your window.
    Hugs
    Jacqui

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  11. I'm so glad you found my blog, because now I found yours and am following! Your blog is gorgeous!
    Susan

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  12. What a cozy little spot you have there! I think I spied some rosemary. It should do well in your climate.
    Brenda

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  13. This is the most beautiful place I have seen in a long time. I LOVE this, Jacueline.

    Hugs

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  14. Your patio of flowers is luciously LOVELY.
    What a difference from YOUR place to mine.
    You have too many months of hot that makes it difficult to grow much.
    I have too many months of COLD,where many things can't survive the cold temps.
    And in June, it rains, and rains and rains at my home.
    That's why I like my little greenhouse...allows me to have things I may not otherwise be able to grow.

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  15. Hi Jacqueline,
    this is such a lovely summery post. I like the way you have enclosed your patio area, with the rounded wall.it makes it very intimate. Your flowers look so green and lush. Here too, i have to water every day just about. If i leave the plants too long ..they start wo wither.
    I love your material for your tie backs.. great idea.
    lovely post i always like your designs.. thank you
    val xx

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  16. Hi J,
    This is a new patio view! I love seeing all your courtyards nooks and crannies.. the bench / shelf edging is fabulous!!! Yummy cottage flowers goodness.. I am loving seeing more of your gardens this year! Our gardens need a happy medium, mine are beat and toppling from the rain!! We did hit 80 for the first time yesterday for 10 (HUMID) minutes in the middle of a storm then plummeted to 70...
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  17. Hi Jacqueline!
    I stumbled across your blog from a pin on Pinterest and had to drop in to visit. I lived in NM (Corrales) for over 20 years, but now live in an farm country in Illinois (my birth state). My family and my husband's family all still lives there. I went "home" for a visit just last week. My youngest son and I took the train to ABQ and loved seeing all the back country you don't see from a highway. I'd love to have you come share at Knick of Time Tuesday, which will start late Monday evening. Drop me an email, I'd love to chat with you about another matter (it's a secret!)

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time

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  18. What is sweeter than pink and white..
    lovely photos...

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  19. Oh, do I understand the heat, no rain. Where I am, it feast or famine. Too much rain, or never enough rain. That leaves my 'mostly not green thumb' with a scant few flowers to fret over. But, I try.
    I love your little patio garden...so cute! And, those fabric strips are so very pretty. I'm a sucker for pink and green...and I bet those strips are soft as can be. Beautiful!
    I read your blog every day and enjoy your posts very much. Just so you know, I seldom post, but read your every word! THANK YOU. pat

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  20. I love your blog! Everything is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
    Leticia

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  21. what a pretty patio and garden! sweet tie backs, too!

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  22. Przepiękne patio!!
    Podziwiam i pozdrawiam serdecznie
    Kasia,Rustykalny dom

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  23. Jacqueline,
    What a lovely potted garden! I was thrilled to see basil and parsley growing amongst your flowers! I understand the "expense" of maintaining a small garden in an arid climate...even on this side of the Prairie...it can be taxing!!! We enjoy the Spring and Fall florals and pretty much ignore the Summer due to the intenese heat! Thankful the seasons change and look forward to each. Have a great Summer!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  24. I love your garden space. The stone walls with your table, umbrella and flower pots. You have more of a space than I do! I live in SW Florida where we usually get lots of rain! Great idea in your vintage pillow cases too! You are inspiring me now!

    Hugs
    LaDonna

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  25. Hi Jacquiline! Love your pretty patio retreat! so pretty and cozy!
    Love that white ern planter too! Enjoy your pretty space.

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  26. Hi, I just found your blog and its so pretty! I will definitely be adding you to my 'regulars' and follow you.

    Thanks for all the loveliness!

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  27. Your patio garden is beautiful, Jacqueline! Love all your iron planters!
    Mary Alice

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  28. Love the pink planter. Charming look from inside to outside.

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  29. Jacqueline, this is so beautiful!! Looks like an enchanted secret garden! Just lovely! We're in the 50s and rain. I did go to the St. Paul heirloom rose garden nearby in between showers and it was lovely, though wet. But my roses are pretty beaten with the rain---and petunias are slugs' favorite around here! They have to be in a hanging basket to be safe. Thanks for the lovely reminder that summer is at least somewhere! Kay

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  30. I bought petunias and planted them in the wash pot...and they croaked.
    I thought they'd like having wet feet...but apparently not.
    Anyway... there is something else growing there now. I'm just going to let it.
    Your garden area looks lovely to me.
    Those strips of vintage sheets...they can go a long way to make something look simply beautiful.

    Pat

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  31. Everything looks lovely regardless of the heat. I wish I could share some of our rain with you. We have flash flood warnings tonight which is pretty rare, but some of the towns nearby already have flooded streets. Guess who's on vacation this week?!

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  32. Very inviting....and relaxing summer patio. Thanks for sharing so much beauty with us!!

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  33. So beautifully serene. Thanks for sharing!

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  34. When i saw that first photo thumbnail on my sidebar, i thought it was an impressionistic painting! You're doing pretty well on your little patio with the dry air and direct sun! The pinks are all so pretty, especially that sweet hydrangea...

    Cindy

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  35. A lovely pink hydrangea, I've not seen one in that colour before. We have a lovely red one. The rose fabric strips are lovely too, that vintage pillowcase was a find.

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  36. I enjoyed seeing your lovely patio garden. Love the urn! Whenever I get a little extra time I love coming to your blog and spending some time. Its always so beautiful!
    Nanacy

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  37. Your little garden is simply beautiful. What a wonderful little space. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  38. I so enjoyed your beautiful post and the lovely photos on your side bar are just as entrancing. Happy Pink Saturday to you, Dru

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  39. Hi Jacqueline, What a lovely little garden! I know what you mean aobut that water bill, and you have really made such a cute escape just steps out your door. Happy Pink Saturday. ~Marti

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  40. Your patio is nice and cozy .
    Your blog is nice like the sidebar pictures you know how to do it.

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  41. So beautiful - I love your wrought iron urn! I love cottage gardens too :)
    Jennelise

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  42. I know what you mean about keeping everything alive. My husband has been working on our garden and some days is touch and go. Your flowers are beautiful.

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  43. Your patio garden is lovely, Jacqueline! I love the pretty iron containers and the different shades of pink. (And what a wonderful idea for table or bed linens that are too worn to use again!)

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