Little corners of the garden 5

 little spaces in the garden ...

I really believe we should use every little bit of space effectively - whether with a focal point - waterfeature/ large pot or feature plant - or with a lovely benh or bistro set -   this normally encourages one to venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air  ....

Images: All rights reserved - copyright 2010 Gena D Images

A versatile gazebo

another great outdoor living space idea - a versatile gazebo with plants creeping along it .... a bistro table, a few chairs, some tea lights/ candfles/ lanterns and you have the ideal spot for sundowners, an early dinner... or whatever else takes your fancy!

View more Outdoor posts, here

Image credit: My Home Ideas gallery

French Friday: Garden Details

the little things that makea French styled garden look and feel a lot more french

Images: from Home Life Australia

An Elegant French Provencal Garden

rows of plane trees, with a focal point

soft colours

old gate and climbing roses

a unique pathway (!)

loads of space and neatly clipped hedges

olive trees

now tell me this is not a wonderful masterpeice of a garden!!!???

I adore the greenery with greyish undertones, the sleek lines, neat details. 

It's described as :

"the garden of the 17th century Mas de Pilons farmstead in Provence is a symphony of spaces, each with its own character, linked by elegant borders (photographed by Michael Paul)

Picture Credits: scanned from an old issue of Vogue Living magazine

to view more Outdoor Wednesday posts, click here

Potted Gardens

Whether you use pots as a feature, such as the one above, or because you enjoy them, or because you lack the space, a potted garden can work very well in most settings.   Here are a few examples of how effectively pots can be used:

an array or small shrubs and annuals in terracotta pots, gathered together for impact

another feature pot, with ground cover trailing over it's sides

giant pots with lollipops and hedged shrubs, placed along a wall

lavender in urns on pedestals

all in a neat row .... terracotta pots with conifers

just remember that pots require feeding and more regular watering.

For previous posts on Potted Gardens click here

Pictures:  Gena D Images

A French Country Garden

   These pictures are of a gorgeous old property in the Provencal village of Lourmarins -  a true country garden .... 

note the french accents:  the metal bistro table and chairs, the wagon, the rooster, the wooden shutters, the terracotta pots, the colours ... exquisite!

lots of greenery, ochre walls, more shutters, vines and a plane tree....

a quiet little corner (my all time favorite) - metal work table and chairs, covered in what I guess would be a good quality lienen or cotton ....

a vine covered patio - more pots, more metalwork ...

a concrete water feature, weathered by time, lots of greenery, terracotta pots

and a metal watering can ...

Lovely n'est ce pas?? - now have a great weekend!!!

Picture Credits:  Images scanned in from an old issue of Vogue Living magazine

Formal Gardens

Formal Gardens can be defined by straight lines, lots of symmetry, neatened edges, mass, simple planting and/ or loads of hedges.

As with most things, you either like the look of a formal garden or not ......I like to think that most pople love the look of formal gardems, but battle to implement or maintain the look themselves - after all, formality by it's nature, requires a lot more attention to keep it looking good.

Personally I like to take the benefits of formal gardens, the neatness, the simplicty, the straight lines and incorporate it with a "looser" garden design, so in effect, even if it includes hedging, the hedging will be more relaxed as opposed to the severe clipping seen in these pictures, above.

And remember that you can still have a formal look with pots - it's all about the plants you choose, how you group them and then just ensuring that you keep the look neat by the odd clipping here and there.
Picture credits: Better Homes and Gardens Gallery