A New Arbor for the Backyard

 

 

I've been wanting to work on the entrance into our backyard for a few years now.  Recently, we redid the west side of the backyard. HERE.   Now it's time to do the east side.

We started with this.  Of course this was several weeks ago, so everything was still looking drab during the winter...

 

 

We dug up an area and decided to use the same pavers that we used for the other side of the backyard.  Of course we have our trusty new helper, Henry! 

We have really bad winds at times here, so we needed to make sure the arbor would stay put.  These 8" tubes were the smallest that Home Depot had.  We thought about using 4" pipe, but it was significantly more expensive.  One 4 foot tube did the trick for the four footings.

 



 

 

We mixed two bags of concrete mix in the wheelbarrow and filled the tubes.  (then it rained for 6 days!)

 

After a week, we drilled holes in the footings and put concrete anchors in.  The arbor was then attached to those.

 

 

Once again, our trusty helper...  :)

 

 

We used bags of paver sand for the base and carefully made sure every paver was level itself, then level with all of the pavers next to it. 

 

 

 

 

We'll let the sand settle in (more rain coming this week!), then I'll add soil and plant ground cover between the pavers.  That will soften the look.

 

I've added a clematis on the left and some cosmos on the right.  We'll see about hanging some baskets until the clematis takes off to add some color.

 

 

 

 

 

We're so happy with the entrance now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

Elizabeth and Company

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House 

Beautiful Early Flowers



My two favorite months in the garden are May and June.  I absolutely love it when life returns to the yard and before the hot, hot summers take their toll on the flowers.

I planted my pots a little early this year.  The usual  safe date  to plant annuals here is Mother's Day.  I am a rebel (ok, not really) and planted things about 10 days before Mother's Day.  I did have to bring everything in to the garage one night,  but it was worth  it.  Now the pots are filling quickly.

 

These wave petunias are so pretty right out my back door.

 

 

I bought a galvanized watering can a few weeks ago.  It leaked, so didn't really work as a watering can, but it does work as a cute planter. 

 

 

I had another one that is painted light blue. I  think the cosmos look so cute in it too.

 

 

 

 

 

My peonies are ready to explode!  Every day I see more blooms.  They are such pretty flowers.

 

 

One of my clematis is blooming.  I love the pink color of these flowers.

 

 

 

 I love the look of flowers in galvanized buckets.

 

And in milk crates.  These wave petunias will be spilling over the sides in no time!

 

 

What are your favorite flowers?

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

 



:

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

 

 

End of Summer Blooms

I love summer and gardening.  My yard is at its peak in May-July each year; however, there are still some good blooms to enjoy into August and September.  One of my favorite flowers, Cosmos, are in full bloom right now!  In fact, they were going SO crazy along the entry to my front door, I had to put this little fence up to corral them in.  My husband thought I should cut them back...  now that's just crazy-talk!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area is fairly newly planted.  A few months ago I decided to pull all of the boxwoods that were lining this planter.  I was able to give them to a friend and they are now thriving in her backyard.



 

We already had this amazing Weeping Cherry and Tree Peony.  They both bloom in early Spring.

 

 

 

Is there anything prettier than a clematis climbing up a birdhouse and blooming?

 

 

Here it is a few weeks after I planted the area.  Many of the flowers that were blooming back in May are done now, but the Cosmos are happy to keep going!

 

 

 

And because I love birdhouses, I had to throw this picture in.   The fern is a volunteer.  I love how it's growing around the birdhouse. 

 

 

What are your favorite flowers? 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

June Bloom and a Winner!

My absolute favorite time of year here is May and June.  After enduring months of cold, it is so welcoming to see all of the perennials come up and show their beauty.

These Lupine are stunning!  I love the plant in front with magenta, pink and purple flowers.  (and of course I love the "all pink" one in the back too!)  :)

 

The reflections in the pond look so neat!  The lilies and irises are blooming inside the pond.  The creeping thyme is really filling in around the rocks.

We love to sit here and relax.

The Delphiniums are so pretty in bloom.

 



Oh my gosh, the peonies are in bloom! 

 

 

 

 



 

The milk crate I planted last week is starting to fill in.  I used Wave Petunias and a Wallflower.

 

 

 

 

This clematis is starting to take off. 

 

 

 I'm eager to see this clematis start blooming all around the birdhouse.

 

 

 

Wave Petunias, Dahlias, Cosmos and Snapdragons in a pot on the driveway. 

 

 

What are your favorite flowers?

 

The Winner of the Graco Paint Sprayer is Jessica!  Congratulations to Jessica and thank you to everyone who entered!

 

Thank you for your visit!  

 

Pam

 

 

I am linking to the following parties: