Wednesday, 16th June 2010

I spoke too soon!

When I said I'd have the garden finished by the weekend, that is.  I have come to the conclusion that I will make up some flower kits to use, to give more variety of shape and contrast in colour.  The dried flowers that came with MMC have burgundy, purple and cream dried flowers, and they tend to look a bit 'murky' and not show up to their best advantage in the beds, and I want to lift them with some contrast colour.

I did my own thing quite a bit in the garden. First I experimented a bit with how I wanted the lawn then cut it to the shape I want.  There's a v-shaped piece near the house on the left side, a nice big area on the left front corner to allow for the garden bench, and a garden bed down each side of the path.  The right side is slightly smaller but is surrounded by gardens.

Then I pulled apart some of the hedging I have in the landscaping supplies I've acquired since we came home from our trip.  The hedging comes on little plastic stalks so I pulled the tufty bits off and glued it around the edges of the lawn as a border planting or hedge - not a very even hedge though.  The tallest of the dried flower spikes look nice along the front of the conservatory but need something in the middle to really lift and highlight the spot.  And a bit of stretchy vine material in a light green behind the birdbath and over the corner of the wall gives some shelter for small birds  to make their nests.  Aren't I thoughtful? At the front entrance there is another vine made from the stretchy material, this time slightly darker green, and I have detached tiny little burgundy dried flowers from those supplied and glued them on individually. 

A little bit of pink scattery stuff (can't remember what it is called) on some of the little bushes at the front and sides gives them some colour,  I don't have any other colours of that so will have to order some more.

I had a kit for a lovely garden bench, and it was perfect for the left front corner of the garden.  It made up beautifully, and when it was dry I just painted it with the dark burnt umber paint to tone with the house, and left it unvarnished to let it look a bit 'weathered'.  It's so tiny and sweet - just look at it on my finger. 

Here is a bird's eye view of both the front gardens,showing the dried flowers in place and the greenery I have added. 

And here is a closer view of the left side.I then spent the evening (until the early hours of the morning) working on flower kits for daisies, daffodils and pansies to go in the garden.  After I 'plant' these I can see whether I need to make up more kits - I have snowdrops in the offing, and others as well.  And of course geraniums for the conservatory. 

So I can't see it being finished by the weekend lol!