The Flowers In My Garden + Sources

Hi everyone!

My garden is exploding with so many beautiful flowers right now. It feels so good after all the hard work we have been putting into the yard this past year.

As a matter of fact, Jeff and I were just saying that we can’t believe a year ago he and his brother Brian began laying all the electrical for the outdoor lighting in a backyard that was full of dirt. How far we have come! It’s insane to be so close to the finish line. My flowers are filling the spaces and everyone has been asking for more sources so I’m including many of them today along with a few new pictures.

In case you haven’t had the chance to read my first Garden Update (including plants, etc) post click here.

Today I’m sharing what flowers I have along with a few tips while everything is still in full bloom. This week I took pictures of the garden to show you how everything is laid out. I’m a visual person so I hope this helps. While the garden is still young it looks so good! I’m loving how filled out it’s become. I’m sharing each of my favorites – from my beautiful iceberg roses to the penstemon. I’m not an expert by any means but I have years of planting & growing experience along with a Mom who helps me with her master gardening knowledge. Serafin, my gardener also contributes a ton. Most of you know how much I adore him as both a friend and gardener.

Let’s get on with it, shall we? Below are some of my favorite go-to’s that I love filling my garden with…

White Iceberg Roses

I have to begin with my favorite iceberg rose, simply because I have over 60 in my garden. Bananas right?

Reasons why I love this plant:

• They are constant bloomers: from spring through mid-fall these babies don’t stop.
• The fragrance is beautiful – When the wind blows and my doors are open I can smell this rose throughout my home.
• They are resistant to mildew and rust. They are trouble-free!
• Iceberg roses have very few thorns.. which makes it nice for pruning and cutting stems for the house.
• They are a shrub like rose bush which is nice when you want something a little more full
• Blooms in clusters which give it that “wow” factor.
• They attract bees & butterflies – I’m all for having a happy eco-system in my backyard. For those who worry about bees, they aren’t interested in you and we never have issues with stinging in our garden. ;)

Tips For Iceberg Care:

• Trim occasionally if you would like to keep your bush a certain size. They are fast-growers so maintenance is important. You can use a hedger if you want, or if you like a more natural cottage look (like me), just trim a little with pruning shears or scissors whenever. Their stems are thin & easy to trim.
• Do NOT overwater. If you start to notice a bit of mildew then back off on watering to a few minutes less a day 9if on a dripper system) or to watering every other day.
• They LOVE the sun – and need full-sun several hours per day. They can survive in partial light but may not bloom as much. If in shade, don’t water as often to keep mildew at bay.
• Iceberg Rose bushes range in price from $24-$35 per bush. (At Home Depot/Nurseries). I found mine at a wholesale nursery (You need a gardener or a landscape designer to purchase there) for $14.99!
• I have white everywhere except for a few pink bushes in the front yard.

I even have pink Iceberg roses out front…

Penstemon:

One of my favorite blossoming perennial flowers! Especially the two toned Apple Blossom..

Reasons why I love these flowers:

• They bloom from late spring-fall! I like plants that grow almost all year long.. and bloom constantly.
• Mostly disease-free flowers.
• Attract hummingbirds & butterflies.. it’s so wonderful to watch the hummingbirds drink the nectar from the tubular shape.
• They are resistant to deer and rabbits which is great for those in open spaces.
• I like that they are tall. They rise above other foliage and are easy to see in your yard. The pale apricot pink color can be seen at night.. it almost glows! So beautiful.
• Tolerates almost all soil, including dry.
• Drought-resistant! Yay.

Tips For Penstemon Care:

• Plant in full sun in coastal regions and slight shade inland.
• Pinch plants after the first blooms to promote a quick re-bloom. I usually pinch them back constantly so the regrowth begins right away stem by stem. The plants seems happier and looks more beautiful all season long.
• Don’t over water. They do prefer a little more of a dry soil. If you begin to see yellowing of the leaves, back off on the water.
• If you see any bugs or aphids on your plants (which you usually see mid-season when it’s hot) give them a spray of water to shake off all the bugs. I do this occasionally during the hot summer season.. my plants always love it.
• Every early spring (usually March after the last freeze) I cut my penstemon wayyyy back to just a few inches above ground. They come back in the spring like roses.
• Penstemon last 3-5 years so when your plant begins to look like it’s not coming back as beautifully one season then pull it and plant another. This is simply the life span of the plant.

Salvia:

A plant that produces an abundance of colorful tiny flowers that attracts hummingbirds

Reasons why I love Salvia:

• It’s one of my favorite plants for a garden because it blooms non-stop
• Salvia is drought tolerant (definitely a plus in California)
• Hummingbirds LOVE it
• Can fill a hillside if you choose the larger variety like ‘Hot Lips’
• Comes in a variety of colors from blues to reds and even peach. There are so many and tons of different sizes so be sure to double check before purchasing to see if it’s the right size for your garden.

Tips For Salvia Care:

• Salvias love to be planted in full sun
• Plant in well drained soil however my salvias still tend to make it in clay soil. If you can mix your soil with an organic planting soil – that will help.
• Trim all spent blooms to encourage new blooms
• After the freeze season trim the plant to an inch above ground. It will come back
• You may need to switch out your plant after a few years. They don’t have the longest lifespan but they are worth it.
• If your salvia gets too large you can separate it into clumps to replant elsewhere if you feel like doing the work. I have never done this but I know many who do.

I have 2 Salvias in my garden.. A pink Grecchio and a blue by the fence out front and a couple in the back.

Alyssum:

Love this delicate flower that grows back year after year. I have the white variety in my garden and love the contrast against the black bark mulch.

Reasons why I love Alyssum:

• This white or pink/purple flowering plant is beautiful
• Love the delicate way it drapes over pot edges
• Perfect border/edging plant
• Smells amazing
• New varieties allow it to handle the summer temperatures
• Reseeds so expect to have little flowers elsewhere in the garden. I love that. ;)

Tips for Alyssum Care:

• Plant in spring to get a jump start on the hotter temps of summer
• Water a little more if planted in hot climates or if they are bordering a hardscape in the sun. They dry out more quickly there.
• Trim back to a small size occasionally to control the size and to keep it healthier and fresh. I am constantly giving mine a haircut. ;)

Hopefully this will have helped answer some of the questions regarding the flowers in my garden. I forgot to mention that I also have Impatiens planted along the steps leading to my front door (you can see just above). Because my walkway is on the north side I thought the flowers could handle the afternoon sun. I think only half the flowers are making it however so I may have to replant with sun loving petunias. Oh well…. I just try something and if it doesn’t work, I try something else. ;) There are Sunpatiens I could also try but they tend to have a darker foliage than what I want.

xo,
Kristy

Sources for Garden Furniture, Etc:

Outdoor Furniture:

Outdoor Sofa – Restoration Hardware Provence Sofa

Outdoor Consoles – Scarlett Console

Garden Stools – Next To Sofa

Garden Stool – Rope Detail

Gate Hardware – Twisted Ring Gate Latch

Hardscape:

Travertine – Versailles pattern, Color – Cafe Light

Pavers – Calstone Pavers – Quarry Stone – Color, Cameron Cream, Pattern – QS4

Outdoor Lights –

Lanterns – Mount Vernon Style in Bronze

Outdoor Path Light – Shepherd’s Path Light

Shop Some Of My Gardening Favorites: