Nothing like a little spring cleaning and a porch refresh to brighten our home for the season! So many of you reach out inquiring about all the little pots and containers I have throughout our house. A few weeks before Spring, I always like to put out some late winter herbs, carrots and greens (mostly kales, mustards and swiss chards) and pair them on our front steps with tulips, daffodils and other bulb flowers that welcome in a new season. Due to the warmer temps in Atlanta, those tulips give us a good showing right around Easter and then soon after fade. So, with temps rising and summer in our forecast it was time to give our small front porch a much needed refresh!
For years, I kept our front steps quite minimal, large planters graced either side of the entrance and that was that. Now, whether from staying at home or simply sharing this love of gardening with so many of you, I find joy and beauty in an overflowing front entrance. Another great spot to start my mornings with coffee while watering our container garden!
The planters are a mix of ceramic planters found from a local nursery (Pike’s if your in Atlanta) and these white ones … such a great price, I’ve got all three sizes here and they look more high end than their price point, plus my strawberries are thriving in them due to the attached bottom tray that holds water.
Now the only thing missing is a new door mat. I’m currently considering these above. Love a classic sailor knot and this one is currently on sale! But also thinking it’s time I dive into the two-mat entry look. I love this outdoor woven one, with this floral print door mat layered on top!
We also got our window boxes planted this past weekend. With our hot summers I sought out repeat blooming flowers along with accents that supposedly could handle full sun and harsher temps. When planting my window boxes, I always like to start off with a variety of three things…for texture, color and height!
These pink flowers, “Dreameria Thrift”, are perennials (meaning if grown in correct planting zone and taken care of should come back each year). They’re also touted as re-peat blooming from spring, through summer and into fall….which of course that’s what you want with a window box…pretty continuous blooms! And they claim to be “very heat tolerant”…can’t wait to see!
That fun, whimsical grass in front of the planters is “Fiber Optic grass”. They can get quite big (12” x 12”). So I purchased 1 small plant and divided it by thirds for each planter. They require full sun and do well in wetlands or heavy watered soil. And while they may outgrow these planters (I’ll transplant them elsewhere), I’m ok with that, because hopefully by the time they do, the “Golden Marjoram” will be ready to take off more and hopefully fill the planters and cascade over the edge!
After three years, our star jasmine is exactly where I had hoped she’d be. Climbing up our house and cascading above our windows. She’s a bit unruly at the moment, and please ignore the overgrown boxwoods and that poor grass that needs to be edged (that’s next week!), but for now, I’m appreciating my jasmine’s wild beauty and her overly fragrant blooms!
And that once again brings us to the front steps and what it is we currently have growing here!
From Left >>>>Right, Starting at the top step
Spanish Lavender (trained into a topiary), Angel Mist, Annabelle Hydrangea, Strawberry
Celosia (color: Intenz Dark Purple), Strawberry, Fiber Optic Grass
Straberry, Celosia, Strawberry
Angel Mist, Strawberry, Angel Mist
Strawberry, Strawberry
Well there you go, the current state of our front porch refresh! Now I’m off to search online for a door knocker to break up all that darkness on our front door. Currently have my eye on this and this…but the search just started so we’ll see! What do you have planned for the upcoming weekend friends?! Share your thoughts and comments below and be sure to follow me on Instagram for daily growing!