It has been just about a year since Monrovia bestowed upon me enough plants to create a garden and then some.
Since that magical day in early summer 2016 many, many, many a hole has been dug by me, a drought with severe water restrictions was survived and we were blessed with a winter full of rain.
Much love, tending & fussing has produced the budding white garden of my dreams. It is still a new garden less than one year old, but has a structure that suggests more maturity. Click to get ideas and inspiration for a white garden ~ including specifics on white garden plants.
If you dream of a white garden too – you need too look here for white garden plants and ideas.
What started with no beds, a few never trimmed camellia bushes and 3 half dead azaleas is really taking form and shape.
With the encouragement of Kate at Monrovia, I cut back the camellias around the porch by a third.
For months & months there were just bear branches with no sign of new growth, then the little nodes appeared, then leaves, new branches & flowers. PHEW! Click to learn about the kinds of Camellias.
After trimming the camellias and removing the dead azaleas, the boxwood path was dug and planted.
Half in blazing sun & half in shade most of the day this double line of Green Mountain boxwoods survived severe drought and drowning rain in less than a year. Click to learn about and how to prune boxwoods.
I attribute the survival of these and all the Monrovia plants thru the drought and water restrictions to the care Monrovia gives each plant before it leaves their capable hands & joins your garden.
Iceberg roses & carpet roses are a reliable favorites that are plentiful here.
So is lavender, the purple making the white look even brighter.
Gardenias by the front steps greet everyone with their heady scent. Click to learn why flowers smell.
Oh and, I can’t wait for this special flower to bloom again – there are SO many buds!
Once the beds closest to the house were planted, I ventured to the edge of the property and created deep beds for hydrangeas & gardenias.
Remember I told you the old gent who lived here before us was a hoarder of Olympic proportions.
Well, there was some really great stuff in his abundant stash, which he kindly left behind. One thing was this metal fence. I used portions of it to create the back of these garden beds.
I love fanciful garden hardscaping so have once again filled my fountain with succulents and placed obelisks here & there for clematis & jasmine.
Then just this past weekend I filled a metal bird bath with white lantana to punctuate what will be the side garden.
Besides the plants and encouragement from Monrovia, my mom was visiting this last weekend and she insisted we work in the garden together. We had a wonderful time and the garden benefitted from a fresh layer of mulch. Doesn’t mulch just make everything look better?
Thank you Mom, thank you Monrovia!
It is fitting that I shared this front garden update today, as on the podcast we are talking all about a Welcoming Front Door. I consider my front garden the ‘doorway’ to my home. It sets the tone & palette for what is to come once you get inside.
A garden is not created in one year or even a lifetime. The work of a gardener never ends, nor does the joy of seeing a flower unfurl. I plan to ‘work’ this garden for many many years to come. Stay tuned for more updates and in the meantime have a listen HERE.
** Kelly **
Monrovia provided me with plants. My gardening, opinions & success with the Monrovia plants are my own & of my own opinion. Trust me if the plants weren’t fabulous, the garden would not have survived the drought we suffered here in Southern California.
Absolutely gorgeous, Kelly! Your beautiful home and gardens look so welcoming! Thanks for sharing this.
You are too kind Karen! Thank you so much!! Have a great day.
Kelly,
Your home and gardens are absolutely beautiful! I am a boxwood lover too and have six very large shrubs that surround my wraparound porch. In fact, they have grown so large over the years that I am wondering if I should replace them with a dwarf variety? They are still very healthy plants, so I’m thinking hubby will have a stroke. They cover up the pretty brick behind them now, which is why I am thinking they should go.
Thank you so much! That is a tough one…I am always extremely hesitant to take out a thriving plant, but sometimes it is the only way to go. I recently had a client remove a row of huge boxwood, albeit they were not in great shape, and wow – what a difference. Removing them opened up the whole front of her house. Tough decision … poor hubby!
I love the way your garden is looking. So perfect with your beautiful white home. I am also a fan of white and green, and I have a whole Pinterest board called ‘Hedges and Hydrangeas’. It’s been a beautiful spring here in SoCal.
Oh Donna the weather has been a delight this season. I am going to look for and follow your Pinterest Board. Have a great day!!
Your garden is lovely – white in the garden is classic.
Thank you Sandra! White just seemed right with all the whimsy in the Victorian porch & design. A simple foil to the folly.
A LABOR OF “LOVE”! Looks beautiful!
Thank you !! xx
There are NEVER enough white in a garden! Don’t forget to enjoy it at night. It really shows off.
June 9th is a full moon,, check it out then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing.
I can not get your form to work for HOPING to win a free consult.
No one needs it more than ME.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the update on your “White ” garden. It looks lovely. I know you had mentioned it on Be a Better Gardener. I am curious……did you ever plant gooseneck loosestrife? I know you were thinking about it.
Keep up the great gardening!
Kelly,
Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring white flowers… The old fence is perfect with your house and gardens. I, too,am working on a white garden area, but on a smaller scale.
Judith
Your garden is coming along so beautifully!….I love Monrovia plants. Your garden must looks amazing in the moonlight!…and how great that you and your mom were able to spend time in the garden together….so loving your front gate/fence.
Love, love, love this! Everything is so beautiful and well thought out. I would love to walk through it with you for a tour. 🙂 Would love to see some more pics esp of the fence with the garden. So artistic! Great job!
I love your garden, it’s fabulous. Like one of your followers said, “very classy”. Thank fr reminding us how beautiful white flowers are to.
I’m wondering if you know where your previous owner found the old fencing. My grandmother had one similar and I would like to honor her in my garden somehow. Maybe with the fencing framing the gardenias on the side yard.
Hello Cynthia,
Gosh all I know is he found the fencing in Ohio. I believe it was many years ago. What a wonderful idea to honor your Grandma in your garden. I am certain you can find some vintage fencing or a gate that would work. Where are you located?
Wow, Kelly! It is absolutely beautiful! Your home is perfect!!
Thank you so much Susan! I know you loved the white & black Farmhouse look too!!
It’s just lovely, Kelly. I especially love the Gardenias. LOVE the fragrance of those (along with Jasmine)! At some point, I would like to place some cute little boxwood plants out on my landing. I will most definitely use your pruning tips to keep them happy. 🙂
Love Boxwoods Julie! My pruning tips do keep them healthy & happy!