Although Steve tends to like well manicured gardens, I lean towards gardens that have a little more organized chaos.
This is our Bouganvilla that grows around our garage doors. It starts out a deeper pink and gradually fades to this.
This is the walkway to our Channel Islands home. Eventually the pavers will be replaced with a charming gravel path....
Although you can barely see my iron piece this time of year, I think adding little antique elements in a garden gives it more character.
When we are home, we love to open up the double front doors so we can view the garden from inside as well.
I found these pots at Botanik in Summerland and hung them on the wall by the front door.
The aged grey shutters make a beautiful back drop for these topiaries by my front door.
My little bird house is happily surrounded by white begonias and hydrangeas.
On the back deck a white hydrangea has found a temporary home in this old bird cage.
Stacks of parchment colored pots are stored in metal wire baskets.
I hope it is beautiful where you are today!
xo
Brooke
* Brooke, I'm BREATHLESS!!! You put ROGERS GARDENS to SHAME!!!
I KNOW the weather's perfect for alllll your magnificent blooms, but w/ YOUR schedule, how in heaven's name do you find the t-i-m-e to water & take care of it all??? (Ahhhh, CHILDREN ~~~ you have those wonderful kids, & THEY help out, right???)~~~
I am SOOOO SMILING right now, here in the H*O*T desert (we have weekend guests from Denver/San Diego), and I am SOOOOO ENAMORED with this all~~~ My gosh, who WOULDN'T BE????? Can't tell you what a COMPLETE JOY it was to wake up to this!!! It's ethereal!!!!
Gotta run now & take care/feed our houseguests~~~ (I snuck away for just a few minutes & I've been "found and am being "paged"! Ack!)~~~
Warmest wishes & great, biiiig THANKS for sharing this most welcoming walk thru heaven-on-earth!!!
Love,
Linda in AZ *
Posted by: Linda in AZ * | July 05, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Wow! It is all so beautiful!
Posted by: Tamerie Shriver | July 05, 2009 at 09:38 AM
I love your garden Brooke...so pretty.
Posted by: michelle | July 05, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Absolutely gorgeous Brooke - great job!
Have a lovely Sunday,
xo
Posted by: Kim | July 05, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Hi Brooke - I am absolutely a fan of gardens which grow a bit wild. That's why enjoyed my Mom's garden so very much because she could not trim it much any more and all the roses just exploded.
Order and a bit chaos - that's what gives things charm and aura.
You have done that beautifully in yours!
Greetings, Petra
Posted by: petra voegtle | July 05, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Hi, I absolutly adore your blog! Thanks.
It´s pretty funny really that our swedish furniture is hot stuff in the U.S and in sweden the new england style is hot stuff, or don´t you think? I think it´s something with the "greener grass on the neighbors land" ....
Here in sweden we have our highsummertime... most of us is on holiday for all of july .... Have a nice day! Anna
Posted by: Anna Forsell | July 05, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Hi there,
Ooooh. What a beautiful house and garden. You are so lucky to be able to grow Bourganvilla. Here in the U.K. that's a no no.unless you grow it in a conservatory. I live in a Victorian houe and my garden faces north so I grow ferns, hostas, ceanothus, hydrangas and lots of lush greenness!! One good thing about living here, the rain keeps everything green, although we are having it hot, hot, hot at the moment, If you are a tennis fan you would have seen that we have had a nlovely sunny and hot Wimbledon this year. Come over to my blog and see my home and garden although I don't think that I live up to yours. XXXX
Posted by: Jacqueline | July 05, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Wow, your garden is beautiful! I agree that a little chaos really makes a garden come alive. I've been working on my garden (little by little), and it brings me such pleasure. Thank you for sharing your garden with us. I love the hanging pots - that is such a great idea!
Posted by: Design Esquire | July 05, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Sooooooooo Beautiful - Husband and I are in the same boat - I like things growing together - he with space in between.
You've done a lovely post once again.
Posted by: Kandace. | July 05, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Do not change a thing! I love the pavers...please forgo the gravel wish. It seems to be so trendy unless you live in France. This is perfection as it is.
Posted by: Dianne | July 05, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Gorgeous Brooke.. and just what I need to warm a winter morning here in Sydney. I love the Bouganvilla, it reminds me of summer and of the Amalfi Coast. Have a great week. Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 05, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Well i will have a great day now that I've seen your gorgeous garden. So pretty and interesting. I love all the layers you've got going on.
I love the idea of gravel. We have it on our 100m long driveway and it's a dream to drive down and hear the gravel underneath.
Hope you have a lovely day too Brooke. I don't comment enough, but you're blog is so inspiring and giving.
xx
Posted by: Sharnel | July 05, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Hmmm...when I read your first paragraph, I thought that I was firmly in Steve's camp - I like things organized. Then I saw the pictures of your Bouganvilla, then I decided that I am more in your camp!
Posted by: Things That Inspire | July 05, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Be still my heart- fabulous garden- You have everything in your garden- that I love- but have the hardest time growing in my area-
It's beautiful- thanks for sharing.
Posted by: teresa | July 05, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Brooke... No words. Well maybe three.
Heaven on earth.
Yep.
Make that four with the yep (it's essentially an exclamation point. But quiet)
Posted by: Linda@Lime in the Coconut | July 05, 2009 at 05:31 PM
How beautiful!!! I only with that Bouganvilla could thrive in New England's climate. You have done a wonderful job with your garden! thanks for sharing these beautiful images
Posted by: Katy | July 05, 2009 at 05:48 PM
whoops, I meant to say: "I only WISH that Bouganvilla could thrive in New England's climate"
Posted by: Katy | July 05, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Oh so pretty! It's like a secret garden with all your treasures hidden behind the gorgeous blooms!
Posted by: Alice | July 05, 2009 at 06:38 PM
This garden is so charming and it looks so natural but I am sure you put a lot of time in designing it. I was always attracted to a bit of overgrown garden, full of surprises. Bouganville is one of my favourites (too cold in Vancouver for this climber)and yours is gorgeous. Jasmine (Star Jasmine) luckily grows well on my patio. Warm weather today!
Posted by: Brillante | July 05, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Brooke your garden is truly beautiful. It's so lovely to see all these wonderful flowers at this time of year as here in Australia we are in the depths of winter - our garden is totally bare except for the evergreen hedges! Leigh
Posted by: Brabourne Farm | July 05, 2009 at 08:34 PM
How pretty this is! just gorgeous! what a garden you have in both houses. hope you had a great 4th!
Posted by: Joni Webb | July 05, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Brooke
Your garden is wildly romantic with a profusion of vibrant colors and artfully arranged with pottery, birdcages, outdoor furniture and more..beautiful to look at any angle. I am sure Steve agrees, that is why he gave you a free range to create.
Tell me your secret, how you hung up those pretty pots on the wall?
Joanny
Posted by: Joanny | July 05, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Your gardens are as beautiful as your homes :) I like the idea of having other things in the garden too (birdcages/houses and different kind of pottery).
Just marvellous !
Have a nice day
xo
Posted by: Anci | July 05, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Your hydrangeas are so beautiful. I just love white ones, but I understand they don't last long once they are picked!! Thanks for sharing the path to beauty!
Posted by: Maria Killam | July 05, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Brooke- It looks gorgeous! Hope you all had a great weekend. I love that birdcage!
Posted by: Laura Casey Interiors | July 06, 2009 at 05:34 AM
really truly....this is my favorite post of yours !!
gorgeous!
xx
Posted by: renee finberg | July 06, 2009 at 05:58 AM
It is all just so beautiful! You & Steve have created a haven!
I too love adding antique elements to a garden.
Posted by: for the love of a house | July 06, 2009 at 06:51 AM
Soooooo beautiful, thanks for sharing the bounty. I love the pavers just as they are. Gravel can be a little messy... especially with children and pets.
Have a wonderful week.
Posted by: mary | July 06, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Simply divine...everything is just beautiful! Organized chaos is what my garden would be described as I think? LOL
~Des
Posted by: Deserae | July 06, 2009 at 09:26 AM
It's so charming ! I love white and pink flowers. The grey shutters with the white hydrangeas is just ... there are no words for it !
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures !
Have a nice week.
Posted by: tania | July 06, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Brook, Aaaaah, Sigh, deep breath!!! That is how your garden and you lovely home (both of them) affect me. Now that is what I call good design. Kathysue
Posted by: kathysue | July 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Beautiful blog! I love all your plants and flowers. Your bouganvilla looks amazing. I am used to the deep purple bouganvilla, so I'm surprised by this lighter colour. Lovely!
Posted by: French furniture | July 06, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Absolutely lovely blog and post. How did you hang the pots? I like that there's no visible iron holder. I like the look of gravel pathways, too. I've got one or two myself. Not great for high-heeled shoes, though. (smile) But you can do through the garage; and I really like the doors there. cheers, -susan
Posted by: susan@thegreenplum.com | July 06, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Hi Susan.
I was thinking of using stabilized decomposed granite.
I think it's a little easier to walk on. Fortunately, I don't wear heels much
(too many job site visits!).
The pots have holes in the back for hanging. So simple!
Posted by: velvet and linen | July 06, 2009 at 01:37 PM
you and i have very similar tastes... i love gardens that are a little on the "wild side" yours is so amazing... i just love it and the first photo is beyond yummy... hope you had a great weekend... x pam
Posted by: pam robinson | July 06, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Thanks for the garden tour...it was wonderful!
I absolutely loved the various niches you have created with plantings, pots, birdhouses, etc.
I just posted my yard on a 'show us where you live' link, so I appreciate the work it took getting everything ready. For me, taking the pictures may have been the hardest part. Your pictures are great, and it's obvious you love gardening.
Posted by: Rita | July 06, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Beautifull new banner and fantastic flowers..
have a good week
AnnaP.
Posted by: AnnaPaula | July 07, 2009 at 02:47 AM
Mmmm organized chaos! Your gardens are wonderful. I love your bougainvillea - I have never seen that color - or seen one fade! Lucky you, to have such a special one, and it looks magical against your gorgeous garage doors! Swoon-city.
I love it all! Coffee in the morning at your house (either one!) in the gardens would be heaven on earth!
xo Isa
Posted by: isa | July 07, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Dear Brooke,
So glad you found time to stop and smell, er, photograph the flowers! :)
I heartily admire your mixture,
Posted by: Susan | July 07, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Love love love these pics!
Posted by: Federica | July 07, 2009 at 07:38 AM