“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”
Colossians 1: 16-17
Before we dive in to today’s post, let’s talk about a big day coming up here at Everyday Living! Next Monday, we will be partying in the gardens with my Gardens Galore Link-Up! It doesn’t matter if it is your garden this year, last year, or even a few years ago! You can share with us gardens that you have visited, vegetable gardens, flowers around your home, flowers on your tables, tablescapes with gorgeous flowers, paintings of gardens, or even what you want your future garden to be! Make sure you are here on Monday, June 12 as we get this party started at 8am central time! Be sure to link back to Everyday Living on the posts that you share!
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a weed pullin’, flower plantin’, dirt lovin’ gardener. I have appreciated beautiful gardens all my adult life, but they were just eye candy, and not for me! We built our home thirty eight years ago on farming land in the middle of a pasture, and let me tell you, our backyard has played many roles! It was a baseball field for our son, held a trampoline, swing sets, an above ground swimming pool…it was everything BESIDES a garden. But that changed in late winter 2015 when we decided to get started on what we now call our little haven. It has been a whole lot of work, trial and error, but definitely worth it! I have blogged many times about this little gardening adventure, and today I am going to take you through my journey of how I have come to love all things gardening!
After we made the decision, we called a landscaper. He came for a consultation and I shared ideas that I had saved from magazines, Pinterest, and our own sketches…I am sure he was overwhelmed!
You can see more of those ideas here.
Backyard beginnings happened on May 6 when the crew arrived with a caravan of trucks, trailers, and equipment! Things evolved in our backyard faster than I thought!
We revealed the garden about five weeks after the work began…we were amazed and beyond excited!
By the middle of July, our garden was growing evidenced by the limelight hydrangeas that were blooming…
…the sage and lavender that were thriving…
…the strawberry-vanilla hydrangeas that were standing in all of their glory…
…the zoysia grass that was thick and green and the happy sunflowers were standing proud!
Fast forward to July of last year when our Summer Garden was thriving in the sweltering heat…
…limelights were blooming, the ligustrums were really putting on a show…
…and my man was keeping the grass perfectly manicured. Little did we know that we would be facing a severe drought for the rest of 2016!
So much inspiration came from a couple of garden visits last year on a business trip to Seattle. Chihuly Glass and Garden was beyond amazing as we entered the garden through this asymmetrical glass house containing this unbelievable glass sculpture that is 100 feet long and 25 feet high…
…Chihuly’s sculptures were incorporated into the garden…
…and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour!
On a day trip by ferry from Seattle to Victoria, we visited the famous Butchart Gardens, and they are famous for a reason! The Sunken Garden was spectacular…
…as was the Rose Garden…
…and the Japanese Garden!
Last October, our long awaited pergola was revealed!
You can see my inspiration here!
The patio is still a work in progress. I want to add a rug, a hanging lantern or candle fixture, a few comfortable chairs, and accessories. But getting older has taught me patience!
With a mild winter and spring-like temps this past February, I was looking forward to how my garden would grow during its third season. I began to think on the selection of annuals, herbs, and vegetables as I looked back on last year’s successes and failures.
I love setting a table in the garden…this was early May 2016 as the garden was coming to life!
The limelights were turning white and sunflowers were trying hard to stand tall with their heavy blooms!
Last August, as my garden was in its full glory, found me participating in an alfresco tablescape blog hop!
Using flowers from the garden, I created a blooming pineapple centerpiece!
Thank you sweet friends for joining me on my gardening journey over the past few years! I am excited to see all of your posts that you share! But even if you aren’t participating, be sure to come back to see all of the beautiful gardens!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Love Of Home, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Celebrate & Decorate, Chatham Hill on the Lake
Your gardens are beautiful and I cannot believe that you started them just 2 years ago!…Amazing!….Your flowers, plants and trees must be in their happy place as they are thriving…I love visiting gardens and Butchart gardens is definitely on my bucket list!!! See you Monday at the party!
Shirley, thank you and Butchart Gardens are beautiful. Make sure to plan for a full day to visit when you go!
Oh Pam, you will have so many years of delight in your beautiful gardens….as long as you can withstand it physically, lol. I will be joining you come Monday, and am looking forward to it!
Rita, gardening is definitely physical. I weeded yesterday for about an hour. As long as I do daily gardening chores and don’t let it get out of hand helps. I am so thrilled you are joining me on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!
Pam: All I can say is WOW and FABULOUS ! Gardens truly make a house a home.
Thanks so much, Sandra…it has definitely been a journey!
I can see why you call it a little haven — it’s gorgeous. Every bit falls into place so well. I love your lavender field too. And those hydrangeas. I just planted a limelight — I hope it turns out as lovely as you.
The table setting is glorious. the environment is perfect. I can’t even begin to imagine how fabulous this is going to be, enjoying it all season long! You’ve done a lot in two years!
Jeanie, I hope your limelight will do well! Thanks so much sweet lady for your encouraging comments! Happy Thursday!
Isn’t is so much fun to plan your garden? There are so many beautiful gardens to visit, from Bunchart in Canada to Biltmore in Ashville North Carolina. Yours is stunning and proves it doesn’t take long for your hard work to become a beautiful space to enjoy. Age is slowing me down but it doesn’t keep me from working in the garden pulling weeds and planting. It’s my favorite kind of therapy. Keep showing us your garden. It’s beautiful.
Alice, I know your garden must be lovely. I am so thrilled to know that you still enjoy gardening. I weeded yesterday and I find as long as I work some everyday, it is manageable! Happy Thursday!
Pam, your garden is absolutely stunning! It should be featured in Southern Living magazine. I know you must really enjoy your beautiful space. Thanks for sharing it with us. Happy Thursday!!!
Thanks so much, Shannon. It certainly keeps me busy!
Two years ago?! This is the evidence of what can be achieved with some help from professionals. We are great DIYers but we fly by the seat of our pants and your plan made all the difference. Your gardens are amazing. Beautiful. Stunning. Truly, I am green with envy.
Stacey, thank you for your very sweet comments. We have done a lot of the work, but having the help to get the foundation of the garden built was major. My hubby put the picket fence up and we have added and subtracted over time. It is very much trial and error!
Wow! Pam, your garden is beyond beautiful! It looks right out of Better Homes & Gardens, and all the other spectacular magazines!
What inspiration you give, and what creativity you are sharing!!
Thank you for inspiring & sharing!
❤️❤️❤️ I thank the Lord for bringing our paths to cross!
I have thanked Him before & I am thanking Him again for your inspirations & willingness to share so abundantly!
Esther, I wish we lived closer so that we could visit. You have been a beautiful encourager and I am thankful that God ordained our paths and I thank Him for your friendship! I only pray that God is honored anytime that I share! Blessings and hugs!
I had no idea your garden was that new! I thought y’all had enjoyed (and maintained) your garden for many years. It’s funny how addictive gardening can be. When you get started, it’s so hard to stop! I agree with Shannon. Southern Living and Everyday Living unite into Everyday Southern Life! Woo-hoo! 🙂
Kim, you are too kind. I hope you have an enjoyable trip my friend, and be careful!
Your garden is Beautiful! I have always been a gardner. Nature soothes the soul with beautiful surroundings. I have always said you can build a million dollar home but if not landscaped nice you should have built a less expensive home. The garden makes a home! I’m excited to see this garden link up. I’m always looking at books or riding in neighborhoods.
Nancy, I agree! Landscaping is so important. I am always looking at gardening books and I want to buy one that I have heard about! Gardens At First Light! Thanks for your sweet comments and have a nice weekend!
As everyone is saying I never dreamed your garden was new!! Wow, it always looks stunning and I’m sure there is much maintenance to keep it looking so perfect! You have inspired me to paint a garden! I know you’re loving all this rain, we had to replace many of the new bushes we planted last Feb after the drought, but luckily they were warranteed by our landscaper so he did it at no cost. I am very excited about your new party after I see we can link up tables, flowers, and paintings, that I can manage!!
Jenna
Jenna, I am so excited that you will join me! Thanks sweet friend for all your encouraging comments!
I have been working in the garden all day today. This morning I took a few photos for a blog post, but there is more work to do before I can finish photographing my garden, I would love to join you! I am new to your site and I love your garden. I clicked over to your pergola post, and the comments seem to be closed, so I will ask here: Where did you find your columns? I have been pinning pergolas like this for quite some time but I have not seen columns like this for sale anywhere. I am also interested in learning a source for your statue. I have long wanted a good garden statue, but I have yet to find many options; I think I just need to find the right place!
Brandy, I am sorry the comments were closed. I think WordPress does that. My contractor ordered the columns locally where I live. The statue is bronze and I also bought it locally from a dealer that finds wonderful bronze statues. I am so sorry I am not much help. I sure hope you can join the Gardens Galore party on Monday! Happy Gardening!
Pam tu jardín se ve muy hermoso y voy notando el progreso que va teniendo. Hace ya casi 2 años que frecuento este blog y se nota la diferencia del jardín de entonces con el de ahora. El progreso es notable y está precioso y elegante.
El jardín es un trabajo duro y os felicito por tan hermoso trabajo que a su vez es muy satisfactorio.
Dolores
Pam your garden looks very beautiful and I’m noticing the progress that is taking. For almost 2 years I have been frequenting this blog and it shows the difference of the garden of then with the one of now. Progress is remarkable and it is beautiful and elegant.
The garden is hard work and I congratulate you for such beautiful work which in turn is very satisfying.
Dolores
Dolores, gracias mi amigo y gracias por seguir casi dos años. La jardinería es un trabajo duro, pero disfruto de sus recompensas. Hoy me he quedado sin cabeza y tirando hierba. Siempre hay algo que hacer en el jardín! Espero que tengas un buen fin de semana y que estés seguro de regresar el lunes, ya que la gente conectará sus jardines conmigo el lunes. Puede hacer clic en las miniaturas individuales y ver sus jardines!
Dolores, thank you my friend and thank you for following almost two years now. Gardening is hard work, but I do enjoy its rewards. I have been deadheading today and pulling weeds. There is always something to do in the garden! I hope you are having a nice weekend and be sure to come back on Monday as people will be linking their gardens with me on Monday. You can click on the individual thumbnails and see their gardens!
Wow, Pam, you have worked wonders. I am so not a gardener, but I’m trying to learn as beautiful things grow so well in Maine during the summer months. So far, I’ve made more mistakes than progress. I’m envious of your beautiful results.
Linda, I can imagine that summers in Maine are perfect for gardening. I have a lot of misses, but I am still learning! Thanks and have a great weekend!
I visited Butchart Gardens when I was 14 and another visit is long overdue!
I’m in awe of your garden and I was going to comment that water works wonders when you mentioned that you had a severe drought. I wasn’t able to water my garden for several years due to the drought, but finally we’re allowed to water once again and my garden is thriving.
I’ve been working on a garden post to share with your party on Monday. It’s from a walk around a little nearby beach town.
Carol, thanks so much. Can’t wait to see your post!
Pam, Like everyone else, I never imagined your garden was just two years old! It’s glorious and will only get better with age. Your pergola is such a wonderful addition, providing you with some shade and a place for dining!
Thanks Mary, it is work, as you very well know, hopefully the hard work will pay in rewards!
What a gorgeous garden you have created! Did you use any weed prevention like the landscape fabric.
We put that in our garden this year and it works so well. I now can enjoy beautiful plants and a great harvest instead of endless weeds. I need to do it to the rose border. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thanks Sherry, yes we did use the landscape fabric and it does help!
Pam, I learned to love gardening at a young age. My parents loved it and it ran off on me. 🙂 I loved mowing the lawn as a teen, and the smell of freshly cut grass is still one of my favorite smells. I have a need to get my hands into that dirt! 🙂 I have loved watching your gorgeous garden evolve over these last couple of years. It truly is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann, no wonder you are such an amazing gardener, you started young!
My attempts at gardening have been haphazard at best. I manage to have a few plants and pots of herbs on the deck. After looking at these beautiful pictures I’m inspired to give it a try again. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.
For sure herbs are needed!
You always set the prettiest tables in your beautiful garden! I can see that it is truly a labor of love, and you have gathered so much wonderful inspiration. I used to garden quite a bit in Ohio, but have yet to really get to it here in Florida, you have nudged me! Thanks for sharing!
Chloe, it is definitely a lot of work!