Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Welcome Wreath At the Garden Gate - Reprise

I'm participating in Sunday Favorites AND in Share A Garden Sunday.

This post was first published in May 2008. There are still garden gate wreaths at Linderhof as there are wreaths on our doors -- what better way to say welcome!

I hope you enjoy the reprise of this garden post -- and do drop by and visit Artie at Color Outside The Lines to see some other great gardens and Chari at Happy To Design to see other favorite posts.



We put wreaths on our doors to say welcome and what better way to say welcome to the garden that a wreath on a gate. But not just any wreath -- a true garden wreath.


The gate to the back garden -- the herb garden -- has a living wreath of thyme plants with an artemesia as a "bow" at the top. What better way to say "spend some thyme in the garden" that with a wreath of thyme.

They're easy to make with a metal wreath form, moss and dirt. Keep moist and the thyme plants will fill out the wreath. I've used three types of thyme -- creeping, French and English so the wreath will have different texture.

Since the side garden (or my secret garden as husband Jim calls it) is my garden of flowers, an old triangle metal hanging basket was used for one single Vista bubblegum petunia plant.
The process is the same -- the basket is lined with moss, then filled with dirt and the plant put in and then hung on the garden gate.
It's a way to say welcome and to let visitors know that this is a garden -- not just a "back yard"!
The petunia should grow and spill down the front of the basket.

It's an old fashioned flower garden and what better way to say welcome that with a basket of petunias!

20 comments:

Kat said...

I love the garden wreath. What a great welcome to your herb garden. And I don't think there is anything happier than a basket of petunias. We are in such a severe drought here that pretty much everything is gone - I don't think there is any way to keep anything moist at this point. And they are considering mandatory water restrictions, so I think I'll have to wait until next year to try this! Thanks for sharing. Kathy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I just love the garden wreaths. They are both so lovely. It is so hot and such a water shortage that everything is just about dead. I really enjoy seeing anything green and lush. Great ideas. Hugs, Marty

Its So Very Cheri said...

How beautiful. We just moved a few months ago from the Overland Park KS area.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
come for a visit-3rd week of July give away going on

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Just beautiful!!! I love both. Great idea to use living wreath & basket of flowers on your gates.

Anonymous said...

What lovely ideas for the garden gates! I hadn't thought of doing something like this, course guess I need a gate now! My son is (hopefully) building me an arbor and I want to build a little gate for it too so maybe will soon have one!

blessings
mary

Carrie said...

Living wreaths are such a lovely concept.
I also did a Share a Garden post this week:
http://oakrisecottage.blogspot.com/2009/07/private-botanic-garden_19.html
Carrie @ Oak Rise Cottage

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Martha...

I always love visiting at Linderhof!!! Your home is so beautiful and I just love your gardens!!! Love your living garden wreaths...I have never made one but sure would like to! Thank you for the instructions...just wondering what you use to adhere the small plants to the mossy wire wreath frame? I love how your thyme wreath turned out and it's gorgeous hanging on the gate! I also love your hanging petunia basket...love these ideas...so charming!!!

Have a super Sunday, my friend...and thank you for participating in Sunday Favorites!!!

Chari

Lynn said...

I absolutely LOVE everything about this post!
Beautiful!

imjacobsmom said...

I can just smell that lovely wreath. I love to run my hands over the herbs. What a lovely idea! I have made a succulent wreath that I hang by my front door. It works out perfectly because I don't have to water it that often and it survives in the shade. I am going to have to try the thyme one. Your petunia basket is also lovely. ~ Robyn

Peg said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peg said...

I had to go back and re-read your post. I am wondering how you manage to keep the dirt in the wreath. A how-to post would be interesting the next time you make one. It's lovely and I'd like to see how you do it. Some herbs would even look good after they've dried.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Good Morning,
So very lovely!. I do love your white gate and your garden is so green! Every time you post a garden picture I get lost in its beauty and wish I was there to stroll along your pretty pathways.
And my goodness your recipe for berry cobbler looks so yummy I'm drooling!
A Great post,
Take care and enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

Mary Bergfeld said...

You know I love your garden, but for me the coup de graces is the basket of petunias hanging from your gate. Too dear for words.

Unknown said...

How lovely the garden gate is, but the basket and wreath is just like jewelry. I have garden gates, but I only decorate them at Christmas. I must rethink my summer plantings.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a welcoming entrance to your home. I love the one on the white picket gate.
Sam

icandy... said...

Hello from Atchison, Martha!!!! Your garden gate is just beautiful... I wish that I had made a spot for a "secret" garden this summer! Next year... I've aleady got the back brick patio behind the house!

Happy day!
Christina :)

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Very pretty, Martha! I love the touch of wreath on the gate.

Cathy said...

Your garden is so beautiful. I agree, wreaths are so welcoming. They just invite a person in.

Nancy Yoakum said...

So very happy, but what makes your gardening most welcoming is the smiles and hugs from the people who are in it! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Judy said...

I am continually in awe of your beautifully staged photos. How I would love to have an in-person tour of your house and grounds. I so enjoy admiring beautiful living environments but do not have the energy or talent to produce them.