My back patio garden

I've never been quite happy with my garden until now.  It still has a loooong way to go but I finally feel like it's going in the direction I want it to be going in:  structured yet a little wild. 


{We recently removed a bunch of daisies from the side area - transplanting them to the cutting garden along the fence- and put roses, peonies & foxglove in their place.}

When we first bought our house -in the Spring two years ago- we were looking at this:


...And I can't find a photo of it from the first year but I added a bunch of zinnias & random flowers that I was given by family & friends.  I loooved having these free-flowing/ wild-looking  flowers but they didn't quite work around the patio.  Last Fall we added dwarf holly around the patio for that structure I was craving and we moved all of the flowers to a new side cutting garden along our fence.  (And now I'll feel no guilt when I bring them inside!) 

And here is is now:

{It still has a lot of growing in to do- and mulching!- but it's finally getting to feel a bit like I've always wanted it to feel.  And yes, my child is pantsless.  It's how we roll around here early AMs and more than I'd like to admit!}

This morning my three year-old is sleeping in so Justin (my 17 month old) and I took a little stroll and he helped me take pictures:


We looooove smelling these roses.  This is a Chicago Peace rose.  I kill plants, but at my old townhome I did manage to keep a few roses alove, so fingers crossed for this beauty!



Love the small of the yellow ones.  I already forgot their name though:


Hard-to-kill succulents usually work well for me:


And I've put out some of my magnolia pillows.  They're not outdoor fabrics ( they're linen) so I'll have to be sure to pull them in before it rains. 

{I am hoping to get my online store up within a month for the fabrics!!  They're being photographed in late May.  It's been a little nutty lately so the fabric line has taken a bit of a backseat.}

And we added a vegetable garden around the side of our house.  Loooove having lettuce!!

{Before you think I'm good at gardening I have to tell you that I bought it this way.  Yes, I know, it's ready to eat & doesn't have much more growing to do but picking lettuce from my garden makes me happy :)

mm mm good!

 And the tomaters should be good this year!!


I planted lavendar around the drawf holly bushes.  I'm hoping it will do well but I've heard it's tempermental around here.

{Smells so good!!}

And finally, I'd like to thank my stylist, Justin Liess, pictured here:

{He knows just where those boots ("shoes!" as he calls them) need to go!}

I love you my little "Tunia:"


My kids get new nicknames almost weekly:
For a while he was "Petunia" .. don't ask, I don't know why
Then it became "Tunia"
Sometimes "Tunes"
And now the poor little guy is getting called "Tootaline"

I hope the scarring isn't permanent ;) ;)


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

38 comments:

elizabeth leach said...

Hi, Lauren. Your garden is beautiful! And where did you find that fantastic snail?

Pickled Blu said...

Sweet boy! I change pet names for my boy on an almost weekly basis, too!

pve design said...

Looks like you have a green thumb and a budding gardener.
pve

René said...

Nicknames evolve around here too if that makes you feel any better. Your back yard is gorgeous and I love the magnolia pillow!

meenal bishnoi said...

such a lovely post..and a beautiful garden! love your magnolia pillow and yes your adorable little boy with many names!! i do the same all the time with my kids..my 9 yr old is pretty alright so i guess it doesn't cause any real trauma!! have a lovely day, lauren..do visit my blog when you have moment..it'll be lovely if you would follow me too! xx meenal

Comeca Jones said...

Looks so Peaceful.

Lovin That! said...

Your garden is beautiful!! So is your son! I'm getting much more of a green thumb these days and finding it very rewarding. I really want roses too!

H.G. The Countess said...

Your garden looks so serene... and you need to have the magnolia fabric weatherized... because it looks AMAZE out there!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your garden and I love roses. Your little one is so precious, such a cutie. Hugs, Marty

Jennifer said...

it's looking great, Lauren! don't worry, you're not the only wanna-be gardener who is actually a plant killer ...

Justin is a doll!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Love the snail planter, pretty pillow and gorgeous roses...not to mention your stylist!

Diane said...

What a lovely morning you must have had walking around the garden with your assistant. I, too, gave my daughter nicknames and they still stand today. On any given day she can be pooks, jb, jay, and I love it. I remember carpooling allthe girls to field hockey and they all called her pooks...I think they secretly enjoyed receiving nicknames from me as well. enjoy!

Jennibell said...

All these blogs with all your gardens are inspiring me!!! I don't have any talent growing things but sure do envy those that do :) I like your before-and-after pics. . .it makes me think that maybe even *I* can do it -- ha! Beautiful.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

I love the garden! And your son is a cutie. Forgot to comment on the post yesterday, I love the poto shoot. Cannot wait to see the magazine.

Unknown said...

Darling petunia there...and a lovely garden. Have a great week.

Velvet and Linen said...

Your garden is looking beautiful, and Justin is just as delicious :)

xo
Brooke

pixelimpress said...

looks beautiful! love the fern on the snail base. i call my dog sweet petunia... don't know why either. her name's actually pixel.

bikim said...

so pretty!
romantic and chic!
gorgeous photos!
your baby is sooooooooooooooo sweet
happy day,
Rosa

Windlost said...

Gorgeous Lauren. You live in such a nice part of the world for gardening. Our snow honestly just melted a week ago. Some people here have daffodils up, but my trees are only starting to break bud (maybe 1 inch leaves)...I am so envious to see lavender (won't grow here).

I think, but not sure, that foxgloves are a bit toxic so be careful with the kiddies and doggies. My cat got into lilies once (similar issues) and was very sick.

xo

Visual Vamp said...

Ah the joys of a great patio and garden! Yours is looking so good. Party-O on that patio!
xo xo

tricia s. said...

Loved seeing the shots of your garden. I am itching to add a garden this year as well - for cuttings specifically. Also howled when I read your honest scoop on your kids nicknames. I have 17 and 15 year old sons and I have used funky and everchanging nicknames since birth. It is a wonder they know their actual names. The older one is James, but would not answer or show recognition when he was little and folks called him "Jim". he didn't realize they were related (which cracked me up because somehow he knew he was names after Grandpa Jim...) and my younger son we have always called by his middle name- Chase. Yes, one of those confusing families. The funky nicknames - Tonka,BooBoo, CootiePtootie, you get the drill. The BEST part ? We called Chase - baby Tata, We were big into Winnie the Pooh and I think it spun off Tigger's Ta ta for now TTFN. Years later we have "save the tatas". I don't believe any scarring to be permanent....:) but I would suggest you double check "urban dictionary" before coming up with any new ones. At least when they are older :):) love the blog----

Sheila Zeller said...

Love your snail! Actually, this picture is may favorite... everything in it is awesome! Have a great, sunshiny weekend :-

Kasey McKay said...

beautiful garden and yard! and i especially love the nicknames - that sounds like our house. i call my 10 month old "tater sue" and her name is Edie.... i really don't know!

Megan said...

Your garden looks beautiful! The backyard looks so peaceful and relaxing! My kids get new nicknames jsut as often. Eventually one will stick.

Meg

Camille said...

Time alone with one child is a rare and precious thing!

debra @ 5th and state said...

hi lauren

first i cannot believe what a big boy the 'baby' is! nd how very very cute!

your garden is divine and feels very serene and soothing. your talents extend in so many directions
cheers!

Natalie said...

My three year old never wears pants. People coming over to our house have learned to accept it :). I wish we could grow lettuce down here! Well, we can, just not in the summer!

savvycityfarmer said...

I'm transported right to this spot!!

how have I missed your blog this whole career of blogging?

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Wow! What a transformation in only two years. You must be thrilled it's Spring!

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

So pretty, and what a little doll baby??? Have a great week. Mona

Michaela said...

What a beautiful garden you have. Makes me want to get back to California for summer to enjoy my garden at my parent's house! Your little one is darling. Love the nicknames (:

red ticking said...

w should compare before and after's ... you would howl at mine... so frightening... i love your yard and your
D A R L I N G asst.... xoxo

designchic said...

What a wonderful backyard...it's looking great!! And you helper is beyond precious!!

LindsB said...

What a beautiful garden! I would love to have one of my own- but I'm like you, I tend to kill plants. You'll have to let me know which ones are black thumb proof for when its my time to plant :)

elizabeth leach said...

Beautiful garden and where did you get that lovely snail? Please let me know! thank you! ehorsburgh@hotmail.com

Pinecone said...

I have three girls; twins that are 14 and the youngest is about to turn 13. Anyway, we have tons of nicknames for them that change often, and sometimes I can't remember where in the world that came from. Now that they are teens...and you slip up in front of people and call them one of these ridiculous names...you get the hairy eyeball :)
xo
Ashlyn

Kathysue said...

Lauren he is so gorgeous!!!! What a little doll. I love how your fabric looks with the garden greens. The snail planter is adorable!!! Love a touch of whimsy!!Great touch,Kathysue

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- He is soooo cute! What a helper!

The magnolia pillows look fantastic in the yard. What a nice transformation in such a short time!

Loretta