Jennifer is a very sweet reader who sent in this kind message “…Every time I see your garden, it is phenomenal. I know it’s come a very long way from where you guys started. These things definitely take time and patience. Can you share where it is now and what all you’ve planted in the front garden? I’d love to hear details…” 

Say no more, Jennifer! It’s a great excuse to get outside and document, and I am thrilled that someone noticed, because this slow evolution can be easy for even me to take for granted if we don’t remember how far we’ve come. The rain was tricky this year, so I did not catch everything in full bloom this spring season. They all seem to stagger, and if I don’t get out there almost daily, I’ll miss some things in all their glory. It’s still popping up, and I’ll be sure to share more in the late summer with all the changes coming our way. {See: wildflowers + more} In the meantime, here’s a spring garden tour, {I photographed this one a few weeks ago} with all the details on plants, below! 

When we moved in, the yard did not look like this. It had more of a 1970s vibe. Also, the monkey grass had to go. So, when we were finally finito {for now} with our inside remodel + additions, we knew it was time to take care of our front yard. Up until now, the pool area had received our top priority when it came to our attention. You may recall that we undertook these not-so-little projects: enhancing curb appeal and learning how to lay a brick pathway with Glengery Bricks. We were definitely going for that timeless, aged look, + I adore the moss that grows here. 

As I mentioned above, I’m also learning the hard way, as a still-novice gardener, that different flowers bloom at various times, and if you don’t capture them quickly, rain will prevent you from doing so. This spring, in particular, I’d just finished some Klisyri treatment on my face, so I hadn’t been outside in a few days, as it was a lovely, long weekend, and I was staying put. People kept driving by our house and taking photos, and I didn’t understand why. Then I stepped outside and saw our clematis showing off. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to capture it with all the pretty blooms in a formal shot, but I did grab one with my phone {below}. It should continue blooming sporadically throughout the summer. 

{Yes, I’m giving some ground covering a little time to sprout in this area, if you’re wondering why so much is poking up from beneath the mulch. Also, I’m tired.}

We’ve come such a long way from where we started. We were heartbroken to lose the giant tree in the front just a few years after we moved in. Unfortunately, it was already sick. But since then, we’ve planted some in our front yard – more on that below. 

I’ve shared a few lessons learned in gardening, and I’m learning more each year. I love the therapy the sunshine provides and the satisfaction that growing something brings. One day, you’re cool and hip, and the next, you’re bird-watching and planting all the things. I know nothing. But this is fun. 

Speaking of birds, I’m currently at war with a slew of them who are demanding to build a nest on our front porch. We already lost that battle with the side porch, and I really don’t mind, but they make such a mess. The other morning, I walked out to find that these little turds had ripped a chunk of flowers out of my raised garden to wedge them between my brand-new wreath and the door, in an attempt to start a nest. Aggressive much? Since moving in, we’ve planted around 75 large trees + shrubs around our property. They have plenty of inhabitable options on our acre lot, and I feel like we’ve done our part. All that to say, I forgot to move the owl who now stands centurion for my shoot, even though I’m not sure he’s doing much. 

Pssst… the key to a little less stress this summer, is faux on the front mixed in with the real. You can see more of our spring porch details + side porch makeover here. I am quite shameless about this one. I need all the help I can get, and I really enjoy adding some easy color where I can. 

Our entire house really has come such a long way. 

I’m definitely going for that slow-growing, English/wildflower garden feel in the front. I want to help it evolve slowly to the far right, but I’m not sure we have time for that right now, with some other, more pressing things we need to take care of in the background. {Coming soon.} I definitely want something that isn’t a huge fuss but seems to sprout on its own each spring. The process of gardening is definitely one of experimenting. Here are a few things we’ve planted!

Window Boxes: My favorite plants for these flower boxes are definitely petunias. I’ve experimented with a few things each year, but figured out precisely what they need this time—nothing fancy… just good old petunias. I can’t wait for that colorful overflow coming our way! These are the most showy they’ve ever been, and I adore the color they bring to the front of our house for a lot of timeless character in those boxes. I’ve already planted some in the side entrance, as well. 

Favorite Finds: I recently shared some of our favorite gardening finds  + I adore our garden hose holder + raised bed. They’ve been game changers for our yard + make the front garden so much fun. Also, the weed puller. Be sure to check that one out. It’s probably the most satisfying tool. Yes, I am eighty. 

Raised Bed: In the raised bed, I’ve experimented with perennials, but haven’t had much luck. So I opted for a combo of colorful wax begonias + baby’s breath. Wax begonias are known for their consistent blooms, and I was thrilled to add these for some color all summer long. The baby’s breath are more spriggy {if that’s a word} than you usually find in your flower arrangements, but I adore the soft feel they add to the front box with their tiny little blooms. I also have some sprigs of orpine I’m trying to bring back to life on the sides. {See: leftovers from my last attempt at perennials} 

These are definitely some of my faves, and if I can keep them alive, I’ll be saving them inside this next fall in little pots. 

Peonies: It’s Peony season! These have been really slow to take off, and it’s another flowering plant I’m learning to be patient with. {See clematis below}  I added another one this spring to the front, with hot pink blooms, so I now have a variety of light pink, hot pink, and white. One in particular is a little slow to develop. Hopefully, a little more time will help! 

Clematis. The love-hate relationship of my life for the last three years. Clematis are tricky and take a lot of patience. I wasn’t really planning on growing something so organic on the front with my geometric-shaped trellis. I am the gardening dummy — I like big blooms and I cannot lie. So I didn’t really think through anything else. Apparently, they go through stages each year: Year 1: Slow. Year 2: Grow. Year 3. Show. Can you tell which clematis are on grow, and which ones are on show? I have to be patient, as I lost a few when we first planted them because I had no idea what I was doing. Now I have a variety of colors because I ordered some on the internet, purchased some from a specialty garden nearby and grabbed a few at Home Depot, too. I guess you could say I was definitely experimenting. We are on year three with a few of these, so it pays to be patient. 

These specific varieties include: Asian virginsbower {my favorite} in different hues {Clematis Florida} + Western Blue Virginsbower. They’re really coming along quite nicely. 

Slow and steady, I guess!? Check back with me in three more years. Maybe I’ll be a gardening genius by then. I almost moved them to the right side of the house this year, but when I stepped out and saw those blooms, I couldn’t do it. I do believe that fence on the right side of our yard really wants some jasmine or climbing flower on it though….      

Columbine: Another one of my faves in the garden is these columbine varieties. One day at the local nursery, I spied these blooms called Red Columbine. So I took them home. Guys. They reseed on their own and can change colors once cross-pollinated. It’s like a fun little science experiment in my own yard, and little blooms pop up like surprises. I adore them. This spring, I added three more plants of Aquilegia ‘Ruby Port’ Columbine. They’re gorgeous, and not blooming right now, but I can’t wait to see what subsequent generations of blooms bring. 

Helleborus x ‘California Dreaming’ Lenten Rose. This little guy is a new addition, so he won’t be blooming just yet. But I wanted to add a little yellow to my front, and I just ordered more since they’re such happy little blooms. I’ll keep you posted. He may be getting too much sunlight, though… so I might be moving him around a little. 

Also not pictured but in the background:
• Hairy Alumroot – which remains a beautiful shade of orange all year – perfect in the fall, too.
• Lemon Balm – in pretty little leaves with a wonderful scent. 
• Meadow Sage – gives us short, little purple blooms and we love the look. 

Coming soon: We currently have some clients who love gardening… more than I. She recently educated me on her mother’s favorite rose, which is the Bareroot Rio Samba Hybrid Tea Rose. They arrived last week, and already have fresh growth on them. I need more hardy flowers like this. HA! Can’t wait to see if any blooms pop up by the end of the year!

Moss Phlox: These photos don’t do them justice, but they’re one of the first things to bloom in our garden each spring. We adore the tiny clusters of purple blooms, and they make a great ground covering. 

False Shamrock: These were actually planted by the previous owners, but were a little lost between the gigantic shrubs. When we dug up the little walkway, this scattered the seeds everywhere. These are a lot like the columbine, as they like to sprout with their little flowers and show up in surprising ways. I love the way they scatter and re-seed on their own. 

Smooth Phlox: Obsessed with these little plants. They keep the prettiest blooms all summer, and will be surrounded by wildflowers and my favorite zinnias in the next few months. 

Hydrangeas: And of course, we have quite a few hydrangea plants that are just now blooming! I plan to experiment with changing over the colors this spring – I have loved watching these grow. They get bigger each year. My daughter is currently interested in the topic of coffee grinds and what that can do to their color. I think we’ll definitely be playing with that!

Ragged Robbin: Clearly, I really love that wildflower look. These add the perfect spot of white in all that dark for our front yard. I lost one over the winter, so of course I added two more. 

Trees: We’ve added quite a few to the front, and they’re growing quickly. It’s mind-blowing.

It’s crazy how much these trees have grown. Each kiddo planted their own a few years after we’d moved in. These are a few blasts from the past. Look how massive that one is now!

Time goes by too quickly. Aiden’s tree is a cherry blossom tree, Emerson’s is a red bud pom pom tree {When she was small, she called palm trees pom pom trees}, and Malone chose a red maple. Its leaves turn a fiery red in the fall. It’s the one in the yard that is absolutely huge now. He named it, appropriately, Pheonix. {I found this in an old post and did NOT remember that.}, Along with about five to six other varieties that are also growing. While it was hard to say goodbye to the original, we’ve replaced it with many more. In a few more years, our front yard should look much fuller in the tree department. 

Oh! And I added rosemary as well. I’ve never had much luck with those, but we shall see. We hope you’ve enjoyed this little garden tour with all the details. It was a long one but at least it has pretty flowers! I’m no expert, but I think that’s what gardening is, right? Playing around and seeing what works. It’s so rewarding. As always, let us know if you have any questions and have an inspired day!