Easy Landscaping With Vines and Ferns

I'm all for little-effort landscaping.  I've found that vines, sometimes ones that are volunteers, and ferns will always be a part of my landscape.  And, as you'll see in the photos, I always have weeds in the mix.  It's okay.  They are green and easy maintenance.

 Since we moved to this house we've been trying to eradicate the ivy.  Recently it decided to climb the patio wall.  I'm thinking that I like it next to my chippy shutters.  I just may not dig this one up.

IVY AND SHUTTER ON MY PATIO WALL

I so regret planting this ground cover.  I thought it would be so pretty under my shrubs and thought it would keep the weeds down.  It's called houttuynia and it has taken over.    It's a variegated vine and it's everywhere.  You can see it to the left of the cement garden piece.  (It actually was the center of a victorian garden fountain.)  Believe me.  It's pretty but don't ever introduce it to your landscape.

GARDEN FOUNTAIN, HOUTTUYNIA. AND WEEDS OF COURSE

Ferns have become my favorite garden plant.  They're very inexpensive, need little care, and look lovely the entire summer into Fall.  I sometimes bring them inside and enjoy them all winter.

This fern is very happy in its chimney pot.  Chimney pots belong on a roof, but of course they've come down to be part of my landscape.  They make indestructible planters and are the perfect size for a fern.  I never take the fern out of its plastic pot. I just drop the whole thing into the chimney pot and it wedges at the perfect height.

FERN IN A CHIMNEY POT SURROUNDED BY PERENNIAL BEGONIAS

I have ferns in a pair of urns at the end of the walkway to the patio.

FERN IN A LARGE URN

 I haven't written about the huge vintage Chinoiserie planters I found.  I have a pair of them in front of the garage.  The large iron sphere keeps them from falling into the planter.  I put a plastic tray under the pot for easy watering.  Next to the planter is the metal clock I have yet to hang on the wall.

FERN INSIDE IRON SPHERE AND CHINOISERIE PLANTER

The ferns in the next photo are my rescue ferns.  My neighbor was digging them up and discarding them.  I asked for a few and over the years they've become one of my favorite perennials.  FYI, there's another chimney pot in front of the ferns.  I usually plant annuals in it but I just didn't get to that this year.

PERENNIAL FERNS ALONG THE PATIO WALL

What easy-care plants do you have in your garden?

Before and After: Black and White In My Foyer

My foyer has been the same for many years.  I never thought I'd move my brass wall sconce;  but I did.  I will never part with the leopard-covered side chairs.  They've already found a new spot on the opposite wall.  The round table is currently for sale at the store.

BEFORE

My motivation was a black and white settee and a vintage framed Versace poster.  The settee was part of the design at The Design House at Lucketts.  It didn't sell, so I took it home and placed it in my living room.  I thought it was just too nice to be hidden away in the living room so it came to center stage in the foyer.  I know I've said this before, but some of my favorite things in my home are items that didn't sell.  I have this rule that I never buy anything I wouldn't put in my own home.  It's a very good rule.

AFTER

The vintage framed Versace poster is the art above the sofa.  This poster has traveled around my home and is one of my very special finds.  It works with the black and white.

 Vintage Versace Poster

I'm so glad I chose to upholster the center stripe in the bolster pillow too.

Center Stripe on Settee and Bolster

The over-sized nail head was another good choice.  Love the medallion in the center of the settee.

Medallion and Over-sized Nail Head Trim

More Nail Head

It's too bad that it's hidden, but the sides and back of the settee are caned.

Caned Side of Settee

I stacked an architectural fragment, vintage books, and a Santos in the stairwell corner.

This sunburst frame was missing its mirror.
That made it perfect for the stripe in the wall to slice it in half.

Sunburst Mirror Frame and Stripe Through Center

Did you notice that my Santos is dripping with jewels?

Bejeweled Santos

The caged skirt on my Santos works perfectly as an easel for my Italian print.

Santos Cage Skirt as Easel

I always use interesting books in my home design.  The book on the bottom is a ledger.

Books as Design Elements

Would you frame a poster and use it in your home design?

Do you use books in your decor?

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Floor Sample Sale @Buckeystown Design Co-Op

This is the first time ever that we've had a sale.   Most--but not all--- of the pictured items have been marked down.  Hope to see everyone this weekend.  Come early for best selection.


Before I share my album, this proud Mom wants to share that her last baby has graduated.
 Now on to college for him and an empty nest for me.

To see the store album go here.