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After:

Looks like a sweet little space! I actually really like the way a small garden can feel once the plants fill out. There are loads of inspirational courtyards and I bet yours is well on its way to becoming a private little haven. :)

Most recent pics:

Thank you, Katherine! Everything's gotten a bit shaggy over the past couple of weeks. The azaleas are done blooming and the roses and Copper Canyon daisies are in between blooms. The Vitex will bloom any day now, and I'll be pleased to see those pretty, fragrant purple flowers again. I had initially thought we might Xeriscape this space, but a trip to England in March compelled me to create more of a cottage garden instead. I keep thinking of plants I'd like to add, but DH encourages me to have patience and just let what's there grow together. (Patience? What's patience?) ;-)

I'm still not pleased with the grass in this little backyard. We had the Bermuda replaced with Zeon Zoysia after having a French drain installed to help with a drainage issue, and it's done a bit better than the Bermuda did, but it's still not as green and lush as I'd like it to be. The yellow line against the neighbor's house is due to the fact that they don't run their drip lines properly. I'd like to think of something to do to combat that dry patch (short of expanding our own sprinkler system). There's barely enough room for a mower to pass between the planting bed and the neighbor's house though, so I couldn't really create another bed against their house. Then again, if my little secret garden grows lush enough, maybe I won't even notice the sparse turf beyond.

Ida, so glad you shared here! It looks beautiful, you’ve done a great job! The shape of the bed is perfect. Did you end up extending the patio? I think for this spot, you made a great decision going with this look over xeric.

I love what you’ve chosen. And love the wicker, looks vintage and charming ... cottage-y. Also love that fountain!

I want to come have coffee with you on the patio, and enjoy the new garden. :)

Miz_G, thank you so much! We didn't extend the patio, but did have brick put down over the existing concrete slab. Not sure we had that done when you were over at the house -- of course, that's been ages ago, and I can't remember what I did last week, so ... ;-) I think there are so many plants that do well here that really lend themselves nicely to the cottage garden look. I am really drawn to anything that blooms on a tall stalk, and love the profusion of that sort of thing. Part of this little bed gets sun, and part of it is in total shade (well, maybe a bit of filtered sunlight at certain times of the day), so I'm still not sure how things will do where we planted them. And of course, things have different water requirements which is a bit challenging too. Ah well, that's what gardening is all about, I suppose -- learning how to creatively make it thrive! I know that's something you're very good at, so I would love to have the chance to pick your brain some more. Do come for coffee! I would absolutely love that.

Y'know, that wicker ... my mother-in-law gave that to us, and I've not been overly fond of it, even though it's decent quality stuff. I really wanted something more transitional / contemporary in style, but once we put the plants in, the white wicker seemed to just "go" a bit better. We bought the little poufs at Target, and really enjoy having something to put our feet on. I spend a lot of time in this space, reading and contemplating.

Yes! That’s what’s different ... it was concrete when I saw. Love the brick! It actually makes the patio look bigger.

You are so right about trial and error — especially in Texas conditions!

What a sweet patio / secret garden area! I would spend a lot of time out there also!

Thanks so much, PKponder! I really want the whole thing to grow to be kind of wild and shaggy-looking. Maybe JUST this side of unkempt. That's my vision of an English cottage garden, and I hope to attract more butterflies. Right now, we've got bees in spades, but need the butterflies to come and join us. I really like to just sit out there and watch the flying critters.

It's a lovely little garden. I like your choice of color and leaf contrast. Good job!

What a lovely place to spend time and watch the wild life.

I would get rid of all the grass and get a ground cover in there that needs no mowing. and constant watering.. Just have a pathway.

buttoni and carrie - thank you so much for the kind words!

wantonamara - good suggestion! We are actually trying to grow groundcover where we had no luck with turf in the front yard, and it's been a bit challenging. If we can get it established, we might consider something similar in the back too.

If I may, I'd like to share the latest addition to the little garden. A sweet, thoughtful friend sent me this pretty birdbath and it's a wonderful touch that should provide a good deal of birdwatching opportunities once the birds discover it. Hopefully that won't take too long, as there's a nest nearby. Anyway, so happy with my new birdbath and had to share!

I love the new birdbath!

Oh, me too !!! I love birdbaths and love to watch the birds when they visit them. I had a flock of cedar waxwings at one near my bay window (where I have my computer so I can watch them) and it was the first time I had gotten a really good look at the beautiful little bird with the yellow on it's tail.

One more to share. It's like all of my bloomers stopped blooming at the same time. There are new buds and the Vitex is about to burst forth, but right now it all looks a little less than stellar. But I do have a cute birdbath now so that cheers me immensely!

I'm birdbath shopping for our cabin front yard. Haven't found one I'm in love with yet.

Ace Hardware has some really pretty glass birdbaths. I worry about using glass, but they are gorgeous.

I am, too, PK, but am seriously considering glass, as it will be placed near another hanging glass item.

That has grown in nicely. I like the tree blocking the window. It gives the illusion of partial privacy.

It reminds me of my neighbors back postage stamp of a yard with three story buildings all around it in center city Philadelphia. No grass area. Just the planted up area that you have. I was so jealous of it because all we had was our front stoop on our row house and the roof that we could climb up on. I use to climb up on the roof and walk down to her place and stare down at her garden.

Thank you so much for the update. I looks wonderful!!!