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09.09.2024 - 05:55 / finegardening.com / GPOD Contributor
Happy Monday GPODers!
We’re starting the week off with a colorful garden transformation in Northridge, California. Terry Sanders shared her flower-filled garden in SoCal earlier this year (Terry’s California Garden), but today we’re looking at a specific garden project that was completed this summer.
Terry had a perfect spot next to her pool shed for a fabulous container garden, but the space needed a revamp to match her obvious love for color.
Great bones, but not much else. The tiered shelf is a container gardeners dream, a bright blue pergola brings some needed shade and a beautiful pop of color, and large containers of woody plants make for a great foundation. However, the neutral color scheme and minimalist design isn’t bringing much interest or personality to this corner of the garden.
Particularly for a gardener who embraces whimsy and bright, fun colors. Terry’s first step was taking the pool shed itself from a bland, beige backdrop to a colorful cottage with year-round flower power.
Once the pool shed was adorned with character and color, the surrounding gardens came together. Terry’s collection of containers and additions of painted tiles and mosaics collided to create a space that looks lush, even though it’s all surrounded by concrete.
Now the tiered shelf is the perfect spot for Terry’s cool cacti collection, becoming a cohesive part of a corner full of interest rather than lone plantings that aren’t connected to the rest of her garden.
Of course, it’s not just cacti. Other containers bring even more color with ‘Superbissima’ mix painted tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata ‘Superbissima’, annual), as well as dahlias and Dutch irises (Iris hollandica ‘Apollo’, Zones 6–9) planted in the little beds around the blue
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Happy Monday GPODers!
Potted plants can add greenery and softness to patios, porches, stoops, decks, and fire escapes. Bare or bland outdoor areas are instantly transformed with tall greenery in giant tubs and climbing vines, hanging blooms, and even smaller plants in quirky-cool pots, adding interest and whimsy. The possibilities are endless!
A few strategically chosen plants can turn any boring concrete pool area into a lush tropical retreat.
When you think about your summer to-do list, it’s likely that most of your favorite warm-weather activities revolve around a body of water. (Basking beachside with a juicy book in hand? Clocking in a few laps? Splashing your way to a swim-up bar? Check, check, and check.) In fact, the season can be so water-centric that it can sometimes be challenging to even consider how to have fun on land.
The front yard of this home designed by E. Cobb Architects in Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood already had plenty of curb appeal, but the home’s new owner wanted to add a pool to splash around with his grandkids on a warm day. So he tapped Ian Butcher, AIA, founding partner of Best Practice Architecture to create the space.
Hi GPODers and welcome, to GPOD After Dark!
Happy Monday GPODers!
Pool season is in session, so if you need a sign it’s time to gather all your summer-friendly essentials, this is it. Swimsuit? Check. SPF? Check. Pool accessories? Honestly, not quite. Since nobody wants to spend their entire time outside frantically treading water, pool floats and noodles are a summertime necessity. That said, finding one that matches your aesthetic can sometimes feel easier said than done.
Every guy needs a chill zone to escape the daily grind and just kick back. If this sounds like what you need, think about making a man cave for yourself. It's up to you to pick its purpose — be it a place to fix things, a spot to exercise, an area to play video games, or something unique. With some creativity, you can change a plain garden shed into a fantastic spot to do everything a man cave entails! Here’s a top guide for turning that shed into your ideal man cave.
Yes, a huge, impressive pool can be #backyardgoals, but it might not be the most practical thing, especially when you consider location and how much time and money you want to spend on maintenance. That’s what designer Emily Henderson and her family thought when they were doing a big overhaul of their property in Portland, Oregon—which included shrinking the sports court; adding a pool area, pool house, garden, and flagstone pathway all around the whole property; and putting in a new healthy lawn in the front.