Wednesday, June 10, 2009

It's Good Being Green.

I am hooked on using "junk" in my garden....and I hope you are inspired.



Probably the most elegant item in my garden is this old stone estate flower basket. Those are antique grinding stones underneath it. I also use grinding stones as stepping stones in the flower beds.



Here's the totally other end of the elegance scale. What do you do with the "ball storage" basket after it's been smashed? Why of course, you plant it on a table in the middle of your greenery!



Somewhat behind this year? Still have empty pots and urns? Fill them with unplanted and uncovered topiary forms. Why, yes! Tell people you planned it that way...they'll never know the truth.




This is a border that keeps on giving. It predates our house by 80 years. Fifty feet of bridal veil that more than 100 years ago was the edge of a farmhouse garden. All it needs is a yearly trim, and it rewards us with this magnificent display.




Does anyone really know what time it is? Not with this thing. I have never known how to work it, but I think EVERY garden should have a sundial.




I guess it's time for me to get to work and plant something in this gem. Another local estate find, and probably the prettiest I've owned.

To see other things that people are hooked on visit Hooked on Houses and to see other inspiring things visit The Inspired Room and Garden Party.

But before you leave, if you like what you see, please become a follower or subscribe in a reader to my blog over here>>>>>>>>>>>>

51 comments:

  1. Happy Outdoor Wednesday Joan! You have some beautiful items in your garden! I love the bridal veil....hmmm...and I need a sun dial! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan

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  2. happy outdoor wednesday, thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures. love the bridal veil.

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  3. Love that border! And I spotted some glass floats in your sidebar..., check out my post today. It's all about the float!!!

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  4. You have a lovely garden. I like the smashed basket, and the one you called a "gem" really is! If I could only find time to weed my 3 or 4 square feet of garden. It's totally embarrassing now!

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  5. Your bridal veil hedge 'amazes me'. What beauty to see everyday!!! I love the sun dial also.

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  6. What a beautiful garden you have! Really enjoyed seeing it...the bridal veil brought back a very fond childhood memory. We had a large bridal veil bush in our back yard, and I had a little "hidden" place under the trailing branches. I'm sure my mother knew I was there, but it was my favorite secret place! Thanks for bringing out a long hidden memory!! Have a great day! *elaine*

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  7. Wow! That bridal veil is gorgeous! And I agree, every garden should have a sundial...though like you I've never learned how to use one. Thanks for sharing such gorgeous photos!

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  8. Happy Outdoor Wednesday !
    Your photots are lovely ! Thanks for sharing and have a great day !
    Hugs ~ Kammy
    p.s. this is my first Outdoor Wednesday - it is so much fun !

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  9. Hi Joan! Thanks for your collecting comments on our post! Love the bridal veil and the grinding stones stacked up. Also loved the last post about the estate sales -- I really miss those! xo -- Sandy/rhubarb reign

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  10. Hi, thanks for visiting me over at the paris house. Your blog is a stunning visual treat!! I just love it

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  11. Your garden is absolutely lovely, and inspiring!

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  12. I'd love to walk around this garden!

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  13. Oh everything is so pretty! I have been on the lookout for a stone fruit basket! Beautiful!!

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  14. thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! i had to check yours out and i dig it!!

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  15. how fun! i love love love bridal veil it has so much character and reminds me of older victorian homes sigh...i wish it went better with my 70s ranch style home haha

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  16. Hello Joan! You really have a lovely outdoor space. Love the stone pieces and the sun dial is great!! Enjoy...

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  17. What a beauty...

    Your out doors pots and sun dial... be very careful someone *ahem* could come BORROW them. :)

    TTFN~~Claudia

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  18. The Bridal veil is gorgeous and I love the show it provides each year for your family.

    The topiary will look grand as do your estate finds!

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  19. I love how the wire looks in your garden...and the bridal veil looks amazing!

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  20. I am loving all the garden things. Really cool, T

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  21. Nice green. I like the garden.

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  22. What lovely things you have in your garden. That Bridal Veil hedge would make you an instant celebrity in these parts. It really is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your photos with us. Have a wonderful day.

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  23. Just starting to "weed" (after all, it is outdoor Wednesday) through your blog and am enjoying it. I'll be back for a more thorough look-see!

    The Texas Woman

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  24. The Bridal Veil is so, so beautiful! You have a lovely garden full of beautiful things!

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  25. The bridal veil boder is magnificent! I enjoyed seeing your pictures!

    Manuela

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  26. I am crazy for bridal veil. We have had it in our last garden as well as our present one. Nothing like yours though. Wow! Beautiful gardens and inventive use of decorations.

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  27. I can't go wordless on your post.
    It is beautiful.

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  28. That is a priceless urn! Would look so pretty with most anything in it. Ferns would look nice with that green moss look to the urn. I want a sundial also. Just for the look of it!
    Brenda

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  29. I love your urn and oh my, that bridal veil is fabulous!! I'm green with envy!! Oh how beautiful that must be in person. Gorgeous.

    Jennifer

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  30. Dear Joan,

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I read you are from Illinois. I have not been to that part of the U.S. We travel very frequently to Iowa to visit friends. Your blog is very interesting. I will follow up.

    Petra (from Germany)

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  31. The bridal veil just did me in....I'm done.
    All your green finds are perfection. & I love the urn as it is.

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  32. Hi Joan,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! You've got some great finds over here...your stripped down lady...ooh la la! She's a beauty.
    California is the wrong place for great garage/estate sales. Your so lucky!!! I think I'll follow you. Maybe it'll rub off :).

    Happy Wednesday!!!
    xoxo Cori

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  33. i love your garden decor! some pots and urns are just so pretty that they can stand alone...
    no flowers needed.
    your row of hedges are absolutely amazing.
    have a lovely day.
    chas

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  34. You have very nice decorations in your garden, all I have are flowers, I think I could use dome adornment...love the urns to plant. Happy OW.

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  35. What a gorgeous garden you have, empty urns and all! The bridal veil border is just amazing, what a gorgeous planting. Thanks for stopping by. Kathy

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  36. Your garden sculptures are perfect and urn with just the wire sphere is just right! I'm so jealous of your spirea hedge. I wish I had planted one years ago. We sold a ton of them this years so I'm happy about that.
    Your right about the chocolate mint...it is less invasive because I had it in a pot planted in the ground and it never creeped out like the others sometimes do.

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  37. love the wedding veil border...simply awesome and the last urn. wish i had two of those. love the coloring. many heartfelt thank you's for your warm comment regarding my sister in law's accident. i updated as you suggested. your place seems lovely!

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  38. I like the details you put in your garden. They can really make a difference. And friends that come over would love to discover those pieces party hidden in your garden. Oh and those crawling plants with the white flowers sure can turn a fence into something really beautiful to look at :-)

    Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

    Li

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  39. well maybe i should rethink my opinion about placing the veil outside my ranch home...i just think it would be so beautiful my house couldnt compete! hehe

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  40. Fabulous blog! Thanks for leaving a comment so that I could in turn find you!
    xo

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  41. such fun things..love the smashed storage bin
    thanks for stopping by...can't believe your temp there...already in the 90's the last couple days here.
    i would love a longer spring....we move into summer pretty quick
    all the best
    michelle

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  42. The pics of your garden are beautiful - especially the bridal veil. Thanks for commenting on my blog, BTW!

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  43. Loved the walk in your garden. Mine is small here in Phoenix. It is almost to hot for a garden of any kind. So I love walking though others. Loved the sundial. Many thanks for sharing. Sherry

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  44. Joan,
    Dropping by again...reading your blog...I read your profile...Congrats on being on the Magazine...Wow...Great nme for your place and blog...The Potting Shed Your garden is so neat and beautiful...love all the ideas you have in your garden...Neat! I laugh about putting empty urns and pots in the greenery...dont' tell the truth...LOL abvout didn't put flowers in it...nobody have to know that...lol I enjoy reading your blog...Thanks for sharing...And yes...I will keep doing the big drink from Sonic..lol...You stay cool too!Smiles and Hugs..Katherinllen

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  45. I agree with so many of your commenters that the Bridal Veil is awesome.

    Very fun items you have tucked in your garden.

    Becky K.
    Hospitality Lane

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  46. I love your landscaping!!! Gorgeous!

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  47. Fun and inspiring post! Thank you for linking!

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  48. The more junk, the better! Isn't it funny how some of us salivate at the word "junk"? :)

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  49. That Bridal Veil hedge is AMAZING... you are very fortunate! Gotta love the artistic way you plant your junk too.. In my yard it would just look like junk... Haha... Very inspiring and fun post!

    Have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous 4th!
    ~Really Rainey~

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