Why stick to plain-o-jane terra cotta/plastic/concrete plant containers when literally your imagination is the limit to what flowers and plants can live in. Think wheelbarrows, wagons, old chairs, teapots and in this case... one of my thrifted lanterns. While visiting my favorite barn sale this past weekend, I had my eye on garden things. In particular birdbaths, but no luck there. So instead, I scooped up a couple of beat up lanterns w/o their glass with the intention of planting them with succulents. Not much instructions here and it's pretty self explanatory. Read on for tips and tricks....

I find that succulent gardens get a major boost in wow factor from the addition of found objects. Like sea shells, wire, twig or moss balls, bits of broken glass.... anything that grabs your eye. I added burlap underneath the pot to add a bit of softness to this very architectural/hard line 'garden art'. Then I played with the arrangement of the succulents, planted them in my aqua pot and then added my 'extras'. With succulent plantings you gotta remember to have at least one plant that gets fuller/taller and then one that trails out of the pot...



I'm not sure where this lantern will live. But for now it's on my front steps. Fun greeting right?
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Thought I would share a little tour of my yard. I have shared snippets here and there on facebook & instagram, but never a full spread. If I'm not DIY'n you can find me here. Gloves and wellies on, face smudged with dirt and sweat and a shovel in hand. I started out knowing nothing and now I feel pretty confidant in my gardening abilities. What was once a dirt patch is now something pretty special (at least to me!). And I guess I must be doing something right cuz the neighbors stop and say they love it (personally I think they are jut glad not to be staring at the weed haven/dirt disaster it used to be.) Hope you enjoy! If you have any specific questions send them my way. This post is mostly images.
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First a few before pics...


Then KA-ZAM!




I have a new love of succulents. So architectural and beautiful!

Dusty Miller

A mix of California sage, rockrose, golden euynamus, century plant and African dasies.

Can't be a southern California garden with out a few agave.

A variegated century plant



Some aloe (great from peeling and putting on sunburns)

Told ya I was shoveling gravel lately...

Can't have enough blue pea gravel. I just love the stuff.

Ornamental grasses.

Mix of flax, honeysuckle, sage and grasses

A San Diego fav... bougainvillaea

A gift from a neighbors garden.

Iceberg roses

A canna lily. Yes, I know it's not waterwise, but a few won't hurt.

Stattice and asparagus fern.

My growing collection of succulents. Which will be planted in a bit.

I hope to have many more of these soon.... like the garden tour I took a while back.


Thanks for stopping by and taking a gander at the garden. Hope you have a fab weekend

We are dirt people. Shoes off, hose on, toes in the mud, under fingernails and yes, smudged on the face. I was brought up under the guidance of a master green thumb (my mama-dearest) and she passed on a deep appreciation and love of cultivating mother nature. While I am still learning my P's and Q's of the landscaping laws, I sure do love the ride (again with my cliches... I just can't help myself). If I can pass on just one of my interests to my baby-kins I hope it's a passion for the outdoors. What one thing do you hope your babies will learn from you? Sure, I want to be able to pass on many things, but once you've got a shovel in you hands and feet in the dirt all the stresses seem to fade away. Mother nature's chill pill....

My little rock muncher

Making one of her 'sculptures' for her papa.

Front yard... Done (for now). This used to be a giant dirt patch. Nothing but weeds and broken tiles and concrete chunks. Now it's a waterwise SoCal oasis.... designed, dug, planted and nurtured all by my little bitty self. I'll share more pics tomorrow. I just shoveled tons of gravel. Gotta give my hands a break.

:)

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