Thursday, September 6, 2012

Front Porch Vignette

Over the years this little front porch has gone from a place to sit and watch a thunderstorm to a setting for lots of my 'odds and ends' that don't really fit anywhere else in the gardens.  The chair unfortunately is no longer a place to sit (can't get to it - too many plants in the way) but just another decoration.  Every once in a while it does serve it's intended function when we have a party in the back garden and need additional seating. Mostly it's Rahjii's (the garden Bengal) outdoor snoozing station. 

 

Rahjii the garden Bengal - doing what he does best

This gorgeous cement leaf was made for me by a dear friend. She does some of the best work I've seen of this kind.


Aechmea chantinii black with flower spike and Cryptanthus Black Mystic... I absolute adore these two dramatically marked bromeliads!

The little terracotta urn came from Home Goods years ago and is looking a bit worse for wear but still pleases me with its garden themed design.

Love that terracotta kitty peeking out from behind the dwarf evergreens...


Three great begonias - upper left 'My Special Angel', upper right 'Fannie Moser' and bottom is a fabulous bloomer 'Anna Faile'
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22 comments:

  1. sharonSeptember 6, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    what a handsome tiger!...Oh I do love angel wings begonias.I killed mine..looks like you have made some tufa containers great job!

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 3:04 AM

      Thanks Sharon, I love my angel wings too but they get so big I have problems wintering them over. I'm going to have to give away my giant B. 'Sophia Cecile' as it's about five and a half feet tall and I just don't have room anymore.

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  2. ksSeptember 6, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Do I detect an increase of the plant inventory here ? It looks fabu !

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 3:05 AM

      LOL, Thanks Kathy and yes, indeed, the plant inventory has dramatically expanded on the front porch. I really like the succulents there as you can view them in an elevated location from the driveway as you approach the steps.

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  3. MichelleSeptember 6, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Lots of interesting plants and so artfully arranged.

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 3:06 AM

      Thanks Michelle... I'm so out of control with collecting things...

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  4. SueSeptember 7, 2012 at 4:27 AM

    Boy you can't slide anything new by Kathy can you? You'd think she lived next door!

    What a great way to deal with all the little odds and ends that would get lost in the landscape of the bigger garden!

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 7:07 PM

      No kidding Sue, she catches every change I make to that driveway garden too. LOL

      I wish the porch was a little bigger as I have some other things I'd like to spotlight in that kind of location....

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  5. GardenbugSeptember 7, 2012 at 4:28 AM

    Spots and dots, stripes, variegation and rich texture on both Rahjii and the collection!

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 7:08 PM

      Thanks Marie, I really do love my variegated foliage and my spotted cat!

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  6. ammadouxSeptember 7, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    so lovely g/f one day would love to come and see it, and take some lessons form you.

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 7, 2012 at 7:08 PM

      Thanks so much Doux, wish you could come for a visit. I'd love for you to see the gardens girlfriend!

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  7. LayaneeSeptember 12, 2012 at 5:06 AM

    Gorgeous containers! So, when are you coming to RI? Not too far from Logee's if you ever make that trip.

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 12, 2012 at 5:58 AM

      Thanks Layanee! I actually come down to shop at The Farmer's Daughter in South Kingston, RI a few times every year. Fabulous nursery and then there is the Matunuck Oyster Bar for lunch afterward... Perfect

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  8. GayleSeptember 12, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Hi Deanne, I have both My Special Angel and Fannier Moser, as well. Mine aren't quite as large as yours but they are growing. I also have the one that you have near your succulents. Do you happen to know the name of that one? Mine is huge and I've lost the tag for it. I hate when I do that.

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    1. Deanne FortnamSeptember 12, 2012 at 3:29 PM

      Thanks Gayle! Well, you've stumped me as I never had a tag with that begonia. It's a great plant and blooms well too but I've never had a name for it.

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    2. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2012 at 8:16 PM

      Oh so gorgeous!! wish my begonias would get that big!

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    3. GayleSeptember 29, 2012 at 5:07 PM

      Deanne, I found the tag today for that mystery begonia that we both have. It is Medora! I've been busy today grooming some of my begonias before I enter them in the state fair.

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    4. Deanne FortnamSeptember 30, 2012 at 4:42 AM

      Thanks Gayle! I appreciate the information. Best of luck with your begonias in the state fair. Let me know how you do?

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  9. GayleSeptember 30, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Thanks Deanne! This will be my first time entering plants in the fair so I'm a little anxious about it, but it in a good way. I will let you know how I do.

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  10. GayleOctober 10, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    Hi Deanne, I am tickled to report that I won 2nd place in two categories and 1st place in another. My begonias "Little Brother Montgomery" and "Willie Mae Wilson" both took 2nd place in their categories. And my "Blue Star" fern took 1st place in the miscellaneous fern category. I am a happy gardener! Already planning which ones I'll enter next year!

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    1. Deanne FortnamOctober 10, 2012 at 3:23 PM

      Wow, wow, wow!!!! Big congratulations on your success. well done

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