How Does Your Garden Grow?

                              

Jardin1

Spring is in the air and our garden was in need of a haircut. French Husband, Sacha, and I set out with clippers after breakfast. We are amateur gardeners, who debate where and how much to trim. It is a guessing game our garden labor.
Luckily, the garden plants are sturdy and have weathered time with our seasonal haircuts… and survived.

IMG_5222

Our garden (jardin in French) is small. As we live in a dry climate, we have planted plants that do not need much water. We have old roses, jasmine, lavender, thyme, rosemary, orange blossom (that is what I call it), autumn crocus, yellow jasmine, sage, iris, a grape vine without grapes, orange trumpets (another one of my names) and ivy.

Fake plant

Oh and we have a ton of fake topiaries . They never need a haircut, nor water, talk about low maintenance. They make us feel like pro gardeners.

Jardin France

There are two mushrooms in our yard. Sacha wanted to paint them white with red dots on top. Thankfully, French Husband and I voted the same; Sacha lost by one vote.

Our doorway

I bought the mushrooms at my favorite second hand store. A table and a bench came with them. The set is made out of cement and heavier than the earth itself. A mover brought the pieces to our house. BUT, BUT, BUT the table did not fit through the doorway!!! The table is hanging out at a friend's house until I can figure out what to do… cutting the table is the only option and one I am trying to avoid.

Jardin hanging plant

The other day I met Massilianana , who reads my blog, she is French, who was living in Brazil but has since moved back to Marseilles. Lucky me! Massilianana gave me this jasmine plant. I found the green pottery hanging planter at my favorite second hand store, and Massilianana found a pink polka dotted cafe au lait bowl.

Jardin mushrooms 

A reality photo. The clippings. Since we are not allowed to throw yard clippings in the garbage, nor can we burn them, we have to take them to the dump. As our car is not a pickup, nor very big, dumping yard clippings makes gardening an adventure. French Husband tied the clippings into a bundle. Aren't they attractive like that?

Note: Our neighbors have a small garden too, on the other side of that wall. Their bamboo is a natural shade for the window.

Jardin fountain 

The fountain, as you know we made using old stones from a facade that was torn down in Marseilles.

We are going to put rocks between the terrace and the fountain. The cement table I bought will, one day, go were the green iron table is… and the green iron table… I will wear on my head.

_Fountain 

Here is the fountain under snow.

Fountain 

and here it is in September.

Wait until Spring!

Roses-on-wall 

These are some of the roses that grow on the wall…Spring is beautiful in our garden, but by the end of winter it is barren.

Jardin cleaning 

Talk about yard clippings, my hand hurts more than my rib at this point. These are the clippings from the orange trumpet vine that grows on the trellis. French Husband is certain I cut off every possibility of the orange trumpets ever blooming again.

Spring will surprise him!

Jardin lanterns 

We do have a few flowers in planters.

Are you excited for spring? How does your garden grow?



Comments

48 responses to “How Does Your Garden Grow?”

  1. I am full of hope for spring. I love the romantic feel to your enclosed garden. I would love to create there,it feels as though there are many stories there waiting to be uncovered. My garden is bare and boring but I am hopefull. I love the black and white photo it adds to the mystery. I love your home.

  2. Spring seems to taking it’s time arriving here but really I can’t expect too much in the first week of March. Looking at your photo’s gives me hope for what is to come in the near future.

  3. Patricia

    Thanks, Corey – You have inspired me! We have snow still on the ground today, but I just saw on the weather that this weekend it will be 65F. I am going to cut back all my lavender, etc. ( you also educated me, too – wasn’t sure how much of the lavender I should cut!) Your garden is beautiful.

  4. Your garden looks so lovely. Sigh.

  5. Boxwood Cottage

    Oh Corey I love your mediterranean garden! And that story of your too big stone table reminds at the 2My year in Provence” book from Peter Mayle. He had that same problem!
    We also clipped 2 trees last weekend and now I have the problem of bringing them to the recycling station in my tiny car argh so I understand your problem with it too!
    Snow has just melted away and Spring has just begun here in northern Germany and helleborus, snowdrops and crocusses have opened their buds 🙂 Anayways I so wish for warmer temperatures! I want your mediterranean climate!!!!
    Hugs Carola xox

  6. I love springtime in the garden! I need to get out there and get trimming too! I’ve done the pots but the garden needs it big time. I think what you call orange trumpet is actually a trumpet vine! I have them here and the stuff you cut off looks like what I need to go trim off here. It will actually sprout up out of that dead looking stuff but it gets super crazy!

  7. Hi Corey, Can’t wait until spring. I love lavender and trumpet vine is quite invasive but has beautiful flowers. Hydrangeas are always glorious, how about coneflowers. As far as topiaries, I was wondering how yours formed such a perfect ball in that urn? I must be artificial. I can’t wait for spring,unfortunately,we have a while to wait in Michigan. It will be May before my garden looks like yours. It’s always a lot of work but well worth the effort when late May and June roll around and we can enjoy our beautiful blooms.

  8. The kiss of the sun for pardon
    The songs of the birds for mirth
    There is no place closer to Heaven
    than a garden here on Earth.
    Your gardens look lovely indeed.
    Most of my prizes in my garden are from my Grandmother and Mothers yard. (more sacred to me now more than ever) Gifts from friends mostly roses,
    and I love our flowering trees and shrubs.
    To say I am anxious for Spring is an understatment. I await it all year long.
    Every little breeze seems to whisper Louise.
    Smiles

  9. I don’t have a garden, just a very small balcony, bare that is. Too sunny and hot in summer with no possibility of some shadow, and too icy in winter. But I’d like to ask you one thing: I’ve always seen so many “cigales” in south France, can you explain me the meaning? Thank.

  10. Corey your garden is beautiful. I love your fountain!!! I can’t wait until spring…we have had so much snow in Ohio. I am anxious to for my bleeding hearts!!!

  11. I love the peek through the doorway – a chandelier and tiled floor – heaven!
    Your garden looks fabulous already. I have an orange trumpet vine clambering over the arbor – last year it had a million blooms – don’t think you can kill them! We had snow this week and very low temps., hopefully the Spring sprouting/buds that were up will survive.
    As soon as it warms up (70’s due next week!) and the dining rooms chairs are painted – I’ll be heading to the garden. I wish I had a small one now – so much work for old backs! The potting shed clean-out will be the priority – then I’ll ‘dig in’.
    Happy gardening Corey.

  12. Can’t wait till spring!

  13. Ohhhhh, lucky YOU, Corey! Spring…sigh…is still a month away in my part of the world. I’m glad to see that you have started working on your garden. You remind me so much of my twin sister – she has a passion for antiques, has a similar aesthetic as you do and would love love LOVE your backyard. You really do have a natural gift for interior design, Corey.

  14. Isabel ~ Maison Douce

    What a beautiful, restful place!!! That fountain is simply gorgeous!! Can’t wait to see spring blooming in your garden…
    Isabel

  15. It is 6 degrees F in my garden this morning. Spring bulbs are peeking through the frost and the sun is shining. This is a promise of spring. Is your orange vine Trumpet Vine?

  16. I am so exited for spring Corey, my heart is pounding as I type! Even with very cold temperatures (- 30deg C with the wind) yesterday, I found little green leaves sticking out of ground! Spring is definitely in the air!!!!
    Love your garden! Looks so romantic!!

  17. Your garden is perfectly lovely. I love the fountain and the photos taken at different times of the year are wonderful. I can’t wait to see the stone table in place, and you wearing the green one as a hat. hee.
    My wisteria exploded into bloom the other day and the night is ripe with beautiful perfume now — wisteria mixed with lavender, rosemary, nightblooming and pink jasmine, angel trumpets and roses. Ahhh Spring!
    xo Isa

  18. Spring, a time of rebirth. I am anxiously awaiting its return. Hopefully in a couple days it will be warm enough to go out and clean the yard of all the downed limbs and branches and look for my snow crocus. Can’t wait.

  19. M-Noëlle

    Well you’ve managed to fit a lot in your so-called “small” garden. Looks lovely !
    Our neighbours have got a big bush of bamboos too. They’ve kept sneaking in (they = their bamboos, of course !?!) and I ‘ve kept trying to get rid of them (them = their bamboos, still).
    I HATE HATE HATE bamboos !!!

  20. Loved having a peek at your garden, Corey. My garden doesn’t grow at all right now, it’s still much to cold. But that doesn’t stop me from dreaming! Last fall we removed 3 wild roses that were less than stellar so now I have a brand new bed to plant this spring! Of course I’ll plant another David Austin rose (or 2!) and I’m thinking of adding a hydrangea and maybe some delphiniums. Dreaming is half the fun!
    xo,
    Lynda

  21. You have a beautiful garden, Corey! I love your fountain, and those darling mushroom seats! I like Sacha’s idea of painting them! However, after seeing your garden, I do agree with you leaving them as is. =) I don’t have much of my own gardening skills apparent in my yard, except for what my greenthumbed parents have planted for me at my house! The squirrels literally attack my potted plants looking for acorns. I rely on my annuals and bulbs to carry me through! =)

  22. When you pass through Texas, I am putting you to work on my back yard. It’s a pitiful space. BUT….I will make you burritos and serve you Mexican beer! 🙂

  23. becky up the hill

    My garden is waking up. The rains of California have been a huge blessing. I know the farmers in Butte and Glenn must be happy. Well I hope the almonds are okay? My primroses and daffodils are blooming. I have lots of sweet peas waiting in the wings. They need a little more sun and warmth.

  24. Massilianana

    Coucou !
    Your garden looks wonderful , and like a mini-jungle , bursting with so many beautiful plants ( but … fake topiaries , really ?? )! And the green planter looks so nice , it was a really good pick ! And those stools , they are so nice ( no , definately no red-white paint !).
    Oh and I think the “orange trumpets” might be bignone .
    Have une bonne semaine !

  25. Oh to be able to get something from the patisserie near your home and sit on the toadstools and visit with you! Such a beautiful and peaceful oasis. One snowdrop plant bloomed-under the unused outdoor fireplace. The roses have been pruned (3 full yard waste bins worth). The bulbs are getting taller and the lilac is sprouting lots of new growth. Spring is a bit delayed here but we are all looking forward to it.

  26. Love seeing a glimpse into life in France. Lived in Orleans for 13 years,one half brother in Digne and one in Poitiers. We moved into a new house this past July. So this fall I planted about 150 bulbs, too many for an amateur. I must have about 500 bulbs sprouting in my garden now… they had been there and are under trees, in the thicket (a sweet little patch of wild trees that I will not remove) and just in every nook and cranny. Can’t wait for the blooms and the scent they will provide for us when we sit outside…

  27. Eileen @ Passions to Pastry

    Oh, what a beautiful French garden. I wish I could be sitting there with a little glass of Lillet (Really, I truly mean it!). Even the urn with the faux topiary is stunning… I am anxiously awaiting spring in Minnesota and as soon as I am able, I will be outdoors planting my formal vegetable garden. I’ll let you know when I have photos!

  28. Hi Corey,
    I love your garden photos, and the sneak peek into your home from the open front door, so warm and inviting!
    Your story about the concrete table reminds me that I have a piano hanging out at a friends house in another state these past four years since it would not go up the narrow staircase to my second floor apartment. I miss it today, but it will have to stay put for a bit longer because there is no solution, like cutting it in two.
    The only thing still alive on my balcony is the lavender in my faux antique urns. I am going to find me some fake topiaries to keep them company this summer!

  29. From the first day of winter, I look forward to spring. It is the only way I survive winter, knowing that spring is just around the corner.

  30. Is your jasmine already blooming? this time of the year? if so, you’re really lucky!
    great blog, by the way…
    rosa

  31. Anxious for spring but a bit worried too. It’s been much too warm here and not enough rain or snow which usually means drought conditions for the summer.
    We have more of a backyard that needs to be tunred into a garden but I do have a grapevie with grapes! In late summer it smells just like grape jam.

  32. Good luck getting rid of the clippings. Maybe you could tie small bundles with bows and someone will carry them away.
    As I look out my window this morning the daffodils look like they will open their beautiful yellow heads by next week. I can’t wait. The crocus is blooming, lilies are coming up out of the ground, and the roses are getting fresh shoots. What an exciting time when the earth comes alive once more.

  33. I love the journey you take us on…the full expression of life…from winter to spring…from wee Daisy to wise Annie…and all the pink tulips, grey bathrooms and blonde ‘bobs’ at 50 in between!
    Appreciatively, Judy B

  34. Anastasia

    I’m always so fascinated by the differences between French and American gardens. The French seem to love a highly manicured yard, while in the USA, I think we go for more of a ‘jungle chic’ look. Would you agree, Corey?
    In any case, the garden chez vous looks great. Send some of that Provence weather to snowy Massachusetts, please!

  35. Kim…Up On A Hill

    My garden is not growing as beautiful as yours.

  36. 1eyedmonkee

    what is a garden?

  37. Oh sooo beautiful! Making me long and lust for the Mediterranean climate…How blessed you are! Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures of your garden abode.

  38. annieelf

    Even the arrangement of your garden clippings is an artistic adventure. marvelous.
    Spring is making its way here. I am determined to put in flowers this year.

  39. Hi Corey, thank you for the lovely tour of your garden. When I first saw the mushroom I thought, oh! a bird bath. I guess that indentation is for a tushy, not water.
    The rule of thumb here is not to plant before 3rd week in May. That is the guaranteed last frost. But I plant my vegetable garden earlier and cover it.
    This will be my third year of trying to grow lavender. Last fall I dug it up, put it in a pot and brought it inside for the winter. Hopefully, it will do better in a pot. I like to plant things that will attract birds and butterflies.
    Thanks again for the tour Corey, loved it.

  40. Corey your ‘mushrooms’ might be
    staddle stones. Used to keep hayricks off the ground, so they would stay dry and keep vermin out. They look like them and if they are really old and made of stone not cement that is perhaps what they are. Your garden looks lovely.
    hugs
    xx

  41. Courtney

    Close vote on the mushroom seats…. 🙂

  42. Oh my goodness…your patio/garden is lovely. The fountain is incredible! We have slowly been working on our yard and I am HOPING that our flowers and bushes will be added this spring and summer. I can’t wait to see your spring and summer pictures. Thanks for the inspiration.

  43. Our gardens always over-flow.
    Not much to complain about, right?
    Except that the weeds always grow as quickly as the plants!
    My favorite is night-blooming jasmine. It smells wonderful and grows without fail!

  44. Marcia Miner

    I just discovered your blog and I absolutely love it. And Annie is a gem. I want her photo. I have just started a blog and want very much to share your blog with others; others who are special and love little spaces in gardens as I do. I haven’t learned yet to upload photos; I am hoping a friend will help me with that.
    I look out on my garden all covered with a foot of snow, and smile because my stone Buddha looks like a conehead, but he loves changing hats. In summer I give him a straw hat which seems to amuse people who come by.

  45. Candylei

    Oh, gardening in France. We are a little jealous, but in a good gardening way! Thanks for sharing your photos. I found your blog through google gardening blogs. What a find for us gardeners who love pictures and stories!
    Stop by mine on a rainy day when you can’t be outside.

  46. Corey
    Lovely garden!
    How ‘big’ is that table? It reminds me of the book by Peter Mayle ” A Year in Provence” when they had the cement table delivered and they were not home so this huge slab of cement sat outside of the court yard gate — for a very long time — till “Annie” had a brainstorm idea how to get it in the court yard …which provided another amusing story , , ,oh it is on dvd or video tape from the PBS.. I wonder if it is on you-tube?
    I know I am not much help but it is amusing game of how to . . .Joanny

  47. shannon in oregon

    we were lulled into the belief that spring may actually be arriving. and then, cold and rain resumed.
    we planted a few crops already, ones that say they like this kind of chilly weather. we shall see.
    there are many things i see happening in our oasis, but we wait until the rains fade and the chill disappears.

  48. Tamara Giselle

    with silver bells and cockle shells all in a row! couldn’t help myself.
    Gardening is my passion! So much so I just bought a commercial nursery this year and bought 5 acres to move it just around the corner from my house. life can change in an instant. One year ago it was just a dream.

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