I can't tell you how happy I am this year pottering about in my little 4m x 4m back yard, prettifying it for the summer. It really is the tiniest of spaces but it feels cosy and manageable and gives me just enough outdoor space to play in without any tremendous responsibility. It is somewhere that I can sit with a morning coffee, crochet a little, chat with friends, play with Little B, grow flowers, sip a chilled drink on a sunny weekend afternoon with J and hang my laundry out to dry. And really, that is absolutely all I require from an outside space. Open greenery and a view would be lovely but at this busy time in my life, truthfully I am glad that I'm not burdened with hours of garden labour. Small and easy suits us just fine.
So I've got this collection of old pots which have been cleared of weeds and dead things, waiting to be planted up with summer colour. It's exciting! For various reasons I'm without a car so I can't indulge in any major garden retail therapy at a nursery or garden centre. Instead I am trickling in a few pots at a time when I can manage/remember, picking them up from the market or with the supermarket shop and carrying them carefully home with the groceries.
This year, I am mainly filling my pots with cheap and cheerful geraniums. I love these humble flowers very much, love that they don't mind a bit of drought, and that the substantial local mollusk population don't seem to like nibbling them either. In short, they are resilient and that suits my rather slap dash approach to gardening.
But most of all I love the colour of geraniums. I absolutely adore the bright and bold shots of red and pink dancing above all that greenery, it just makes my heart sing a happy song!
When I bought these plants, the flower buds were very tightly closed and so I only have a vague idea of what colour they will turn out to be. The plants all had labels so I was able to leave the white ones behind, picking out the reds and pinks, but I am still waiting for them to bloom....
...ooooooh, I am really looking forward to seeing this one open fully, I think I may swoon a little at that delicious red/pink petal combo!
Back in the Springtime before geraniums were really on my mind at all, I happened to catch sight of a pretty geranium mosaic on Facebook, made my the talented Felicty of Just Mosaics. There is a whole bouquet of mosaic flowers that you can choose from on Felicity's website, and you may remember that I already have a vase of tulips here in the Attic. That's her beautiful studio up above there look, where she creates her mosaic pieces, isn't it lovely?
Well, I loved the original red geraniums design that first caught my eye, but decided to write to Felicity and ask if she might possibly make me my very own picture which had both red and pink flowers in it. I also asked if I could maybe have my sky background just a little bluer please, if at all possible, and sorry to be so demanding, please, thank you! Bless Felicity, she is the kindest and most accommodating person, and she assured me that I could indeed have flowers in two colours, and a nice blue summer sky.
An extra-special thing that Felicity also did was to email me little progress updates as she was making my picture. Such fun! I watched each day as the flowers bloomed (in red and pink!), and then as the stems and leaves grew. I saw the terracotta pot arrive, and then the most gorgeous blue sky surrounding it all. And then, oh, what the heck??!! I got to see a mucky mess!! I think Felicity really got a bit of a kick out of sending me that particular progress report, naughty thing! But then finally, the finished picture was there on my screen and I was absolutely thrilled. It was just as I had imagined it in my mind.
The real deal is very much more beautiful than the screen images, I have to say. The colours are beautifully vibrant in real life, and of course it is all glossy and shiny and bounces light around the place which adds to the colour intensity of the tiles.
I can tell you (cos I just this minute counted) that there are seventy six individual pieces in this mosaic. I just love thinking about things like that, like wondering how many thousands of stitches are in my crochet blankets. I love handmade things very, very much. The talent, the time and the love that goes into designing and making handmade things is incredibly inspiring and a little bit mind boggling.
I've hung my mosaic geraniums in my kitchen, above my kitchen sink. Sorry I can't show you them in situ but my kitchen is rather small, dark and dreary and it's very hard to take pictures in there. I tried, but they all turned out fuzzy and pretty rubbish. You'll just have to imagine it, and know that it makes me smile many, many times each day.
Now tell me.....what are your favourite summer flowers for growing in pots?? I'm going to visit the plant stall at the market tomorrow and wonder what would look terrrifc with oodles of geraniums. Marguerites? Petunias? Marigolds? Go on, throw some floral ideas at me!
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ps if you like to bob about on Facebook, do go say hello to Felicity {Just Mosaics}, her page is a riot of colourful creativity ♥
I just love that mosaic! I love geraniums -- they are pretty, as well as pretty hearty (when I forget to water sometimes) and they last forever which is nice too.
Posted by: Lizy Tish | June 30, 2014 at 12:10 AM
Try calendula in your pots, gorgeous oranges with zingy green stems. Easily planted from seed and will pop up again in subsequent years too. And yes paint the wall off white to reflect the light, show off the bright flowers and make your yard feel like the Mediterranean xx
Posted by: Emma Smith-Horne | June 24, 2014 at 07:07 AM
If you pinch out the new flowers that are forming in the middle of your geranium plants, you will get a much longer flowering period. It sounds a little drastic but it also makes the plants bushier and less straggly. Nothing worse than gangly geraniums! You can also get yourself a few bamboo canes and make a tripod. Trailing geraniums look lovely trained up and around the canes. They also love to be potted on. They hate being potbound. Good Luck with yours.:-)
Posted by: Nana GoGo | June 22, 2014 at 10:31 PM
In answer to Lynn above. Regarding your flippant comment - I do not own a computer, I use one at work and am allowed to use it for personal use during my breaks. I work a 12 hour shift on 7 nights a week to house, clothe and feed my family which is why I'm typing this at 9.45pm on a Sunday.
I donate a percentage of my earnings to 5 charities, we shop at charity/thrift shops and are well aware that we are so fortunate to be able to do that when so many have so little.
And yes Lynn I do gaze upon this computer (although not owned by me) and I spare many thoughts for the children in the world who live in poverty.
Posted by: Emma | June 22, 2014 at 09:46 PM
This is a non-stop site for inspiration. I share your love for color and it seems we both love the pink, red, blue, green combination....as well as...well I love most color! Can't wait to see what shows up in my FB newsfeed from you. Thanks!
Posted by: urban teacher | June 22, 2014 at 03:24 AM
Oh Wow Lucy! I have just read the comment from Emma, my mouth literally dropped open when I read it!!!!
How incredible that she should write such a comment about this lovely post, it never ceases to amaze me how unbelievable some people are! Lol.......
She must mean all of us in the blogging world as that is what blogging is all about, writing about things we love and we are lucky enough to have the time to do. Yes we appreciate there are people in this world that cannot afford to buy extras, however, she is sat typing on a computer to leave such a comment, mmmmmm she has the time and the money to be able to afford to do this.
It begs the question, next time she gazes upon her computer she will spare a thought for "the children in the world etc...." or maybe she will sell it to donate the cash to charity!
Posted by: Lynn | June 21, 2014 at 08:22 PM
Wonderful display of geraniums and I love the way you have displayed Felicity's marvellous mosaic! xx
Posted by: Alison Michelle Machin | June 21, 2014 at 07:35 PM
As well as herbs, I like the zingy oranges and yellows of nasturtiums and calendulas which I grow from seed every year. Against my blue wall and with some blue borage in pots they positively sing. You can often find them in markets and garden centres at this time of year. Scented geraniums are lovely too. Such a pretty post, Lucy, and the colours of the mosaic go so well with your flowers x
Posted by: Cathy | June 21, 2014 at 05:19 PM
Well, you've had lots of advice! Personally, I'd try and make more use of the wall.... a clematis or rose growing up some trellis, from a large pot; pots, baskets fixed to the wall with herbs in for easy picking - raise the geraniums on some breeze blocks, or a plank of wood laid across some bricks at either end for support, and then plant lavender in pots, rosemary, all those oily herbs. Rose scented pelargoniums. Things that when you brush past them, to get at the herbs, you get the scent. Lots of lovely things you can grow, veggies in pots too of course. Whatever you do... just enjoy.
Posted by: Edwina | June 21, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Hi Lucy, I love reading your posts, they are always interesting and a riot of colour and uplifting! What about Busy Lizzies!!!!!! They are non stop flowers all summer and fill a pot quickly. All your favourite colours too!
Posted by: Pamela Tomkins | June 21, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Lavender and hydrangea's ae also beautiful!
Posted by: Corine | June 20, 2014 at 10:43 PM
fuchsias and geraniums for me every time - easy, colourful and tough, and disliked by slugs! also bought some gazanias for a contrast orange/yellow.
Posted by: Carrie | June 20, 2014 at 09:56 PM
Saw this crocheted sail boat and thought of you.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157215639/sale-crochet-driftwood-sail-boat-iii?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=driftwood&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=28&ga_search_type=all
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | June 20, 2014 at 06:31 PM
How about some tiny evergreens in your larger pots along with flowers? Then you would have something left for the winter—and to begin with next summer. Perennials like Heucheras (coral bells) have colorful foliage and will survive the winter as well. Their flowers are not splashy, but you can add some colorful annuals. Do you have Angelonia in the UK?
Posted by: Jean | June 20, 2014 at 05:58 PM
Lucy, I hope you don't dwell on Emma's comment.
And to Emma - there are many inequalities in the world, but I think you can tell from Lucy's blog that she is a very kind and caring person. To pick on one individual for the plight of the whole of humanity is both ridiculous and unkind. Try reading Stephen Fry's words on kindness - then putting them into practice.
Posted by: marge | June 20, 2014 at 12:52 PM
How beautiful, I also love geraniums, such giving little beauties.
Posted by: Pat | June 20, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Hey Lucy! Very beautiful geraniums you! I've got a Red-White and orange! You can put in tubs cloves and hibiscus that withstands many years, you can plant noon that exists in many colors and can stand in the heat but is seasonal only for the summer!Oll is beautiful!
Posted by: Mitsa Xida | June 20, 2014 at 09:14 AM
My mother has a soft spot for geraniums, bt to me they always smelled funny (and I think the smell combined with their hairy surface is what repells the snails), but eventually, I think I will have a geranium or two just to smell and remind me of my Mum :)
I dont have a particular favourite when it comes to summer plants, but I am a complete sucker for spring bulb plants like daffodills and crocuses and hyacinths :)
Posted by: Silly Little Sheep | June 20, 2014 at 07:47 AM
Believe it or not, I think my favorite for having and being able to keep without their dying is.... GERANIUMS! But not only because of their lovely hearty ways, but also for their earthy smell. I don't know any other flower that smells the way they do. I also like hydrangea (those small flowers in the shape of a ball) that come in many colors, but never so lovely in my hands. Haven't enjoyed success with them yet. (Also have you ever seen the passionflower? Looks like something out of Dr. Seuss. They grow wild where I live. :-) )
Posted by: Susan | June 19, 2014 at 10:28 PM
Simply beautiful x mentioning this Lucy in the hope that others will read it. Im visiting Yarndale this year as I saw the lovely photos of last year's and being relatively new to knitting and crochet (cross stitcher for over 40 years but fancied something extra) I thought this show would be ideal - however we have probably around a 2 and half hour drive so will be staying over - easier said than done. It seems everywhere is booked solid. Only accommodation we could find is 10 miles away! Just thought I would mention it in case others are thinking of going but haven't yet booked their accommodation. See you there xx
Posted by: Michelle | June 19, 2014 at 09:17 PM
I too adore geraniums! They are the most bold, cheerful and straight-forward of plants. And hardy! The mosaic is gorgeous - I'm going over there.
Posted by: Jan Morrison | June 19, 2014 at 08:56 PM
My favourites are cornflowers and poppy's. Love the colour of the cornflower. So very pretty ...
Posted by: Corine | June 19, 2014 at 04:39 PM
i love geraniums and lobelias and fuchsias.
your geraniums looking wonderful!!!!
wish you happy days,
regina
Posted by: My Simpel Life | June 19, 2014 at 04:00 PM
Your back space is so lovely and I love how content you are with it. It suddenly dawned on me that I have gardens around the entire perimeter of my house and patio as well as a kitchen garden. Did I think that would be no work? I think I thought I'd just be able to do a tiny bit and then let it go for the summer. oh well. What I'm working on is contentment with lovely but imperfect flower beds. Definitely agree with you about geraniums!!! I have a coral one in my dining room right now and it adds such a lovely color! Your mosaic is just beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Heather L. | June 19, 2014 at 01:17 PM
Geraniums are awesome. The colour, and the attitude of the plant rocks. I also love snap dragons and californian poppies (It took me 3 goes to get them to successfully grow from seed this time!). And wee little jonquilles, 'cos they also smell wonderful.
Posted by: Seaweed & Raine | June 19, 2014 at 12:18 PM