Since it was about 194 degrees out this weekend I thought I would stand outside and take some pictures for you. It was weirdly overcast which does make for good outdoor picture taking.
Our property is very shallow but wide so we have a long, bowling alley like backyard. We have tried to divide it into a few distinct areas to break it up a bit.
Let stand back and get the full effect:
The door you see leads to the garage and the sticky out part of the house is the sitting room. We had new French doors installed that lead out the space you see in the first picture.
We also had a pergola built for us and we just had a new fence built. The old one fell down in a storm a winter or two ago and was propped back up with a lot of metal posts and optimism.
When we first moved into the house four years ago there was a deck right off the sitting room. We removed it and had a step put in instead and a walkway that you see along the garage. The area from the lawn to the fence (waaay back there, behind the pine tree) sloped so we terraced it and put in a step made from some old railroad ties. It helps with defining the different areas.
We also laid some gravel that looks like pea gravel but actually has sharper edges so it packs down better. I wanted the look to be very organic and vaguely European.
I have had this wall fountain since the mid-90s. I paid $65 for it which seemed extravagant at the time.
If you'll follow me up the step we'll enter our outdoor dining room.
That concrete table weighs a ton and took four or five men to set up. It's not going anywhere. I have plans to put a chandelier on a post in the middle of the table. Stay tuned for that. I haven't figured it out yet but I will.
I decided to see how impatiens would do at this house. I think they are happy here. The chair used to be planted with succulents but they outgrew it so I repotted them in two urns and planted the chair with more impatiens, a fuschia and lamium.
That section of fence and gate wasn't replaced when the rest of the fence was put up. It was in decent enough shape and staining it to match the new fence gave it a much needed face lift. My birdcage stands out now where before it just blended right in. We have had the best luck with statice. It just blooms and blooms and blooms.
Hi Mr. Squirrel.
Okay let's head back to the other end…
I do wish the hummingbirds would actually eat out of the pretty feeders that are out there. They refuse to, though, and insist on the ugly red and yellow ones. That tree is glorious in the Fall. Well I think so because I just enjoy the gorgeous reds, pinks and golds the leaves turn. Rick, on the other hand, is in charge of raking…
Tucked just past the garage is the garden shed and a bench so I can sit comfortably while I watch Rick rake. The lawn is looking a little scrappy here but like I said it has been eight bobillion degrees here lately.
Oh hi again Mr. Squirrel.
(Crap picture taken with tablet, through the sitting room window…)
So there you have it. The back garden. We had a vision and this year it finally all came together. Now we can just sit out back and enjoy it.
#adultlifegoals
Beautiful backyard!
Beautiful back yard, inspiration to me for my brand new house with grass and sprinklers but not much in the way of plants and trees. Welcome back. You and Nicole in the same week is quite the treat.
Thank you Maddi! It is shaping up 🙂
Thank you Stephani – although truthfully I wandered off a bit longer than Nicole did 🙂
Your backyard is gorgeous! I came to your site from Nicole’s site and glad I did! I also noticed that the humminbirds like the red and yellow cheap feeders over my fancy feeders…silly birds, but let’s give them what they want so they hang out more where we can see them.
Your backyard is lovely. I noticed a number of plants that have blooms and the foliage on others looks great. All good considering the heat.
Thank you for coming on over. Ive even tried tying bright red and yellow ribbons on the fancy feeders and the hummingbirds are just nope. So tacky feeders it is. 🙂
Thank you – I am a bit nervous about our next water bill…
Hi Andrea! Nicole said you’re back here. You’ve been missed! I always enjoyed checking your blog; especially your Friday Favorites. Thanks for sharing your home decor. It’s lovely & inviting!
Thank you Jan. It feels great to be back!
Bee-yootifull even in the bobillion degrees. You and your sister know how to write. Love that! And humorously! Even better. Enjoyed the garden tour. Jealous of your green thumb. Mine is yellow!
I love you yard! I moved from California to Colorado a few years back and boy do I miss California gardening!
Beautiful back yard! You must enjoy it!
Thank you AnnieO. Although I have to confess the green thumb is my husbands. I just reap the rewards.
Thank you Jean. We are especially lucky in the bay area – although the past few years were a bit tough with the drought. It was tempting to sneak out and water when the neighbors werent watching (like the only green yard in the neighborhood wouldnt be obvious….)
Thank you Eleanor – we really do!
You have a lovely backyard. I think I’d like to spend time there. I love all your special touches among the plants and flowers.
Thank you LindaSonia – I have to give credit to my husband who really makes the garden what it is. I feel like Im more the creative director and he keeps things beautiful and green.
Your home and yard are beautiful…maybe I need to redecorate!
Thank you Carolyn. Our is always a work in progress. There is always something else that needs to be done!