Innholdsfortegnelse for May/Jun - Gardens & Porches 2018 i Southern Lady

How wonderful it is to live in a region with such a rich tradition of outdoor living! What’s more Southern than sipping a glass of sweet tea or lemonade as you sway on a porch swing or settle into a rocker to enjoy a cool breeze? Alfresco spaces are an extension of our homes, and so often they are where hospitality begins—chatting with neighbors, greeting passersby on a fine evening, catching up with a dear friend or two beneath the shade of the veranda. And if there’s a beautiful garden in the picture—formal or casual, cloaked in greenery or bright with blossoms—so much the better. In this special issue, we pay tribute to some of our favorite porches and gardens throughout the South. Revel in the idyllic charm of a…

You’ve Got Mail Antique industrial pieces are built sturdily and are especially well suited for use in your garden. A mail cubby placed atop a potting bench is a clever way to store scissors, twine, plant markers, and other garden goods. Outdoor Elegance The garden is ripe for decoration with more than just flowers and foliage. Architectural salvage, flea market finds, and pieces left over from indoor projects all add a sophisticated flair to outdoor rooms. Keep your look cohesive by using objects that are all within the same color family. Heirloom Accents A weathered antique cabinet adds rustic appeal and abundant storage. Along with the usual supplies, we filled ours with unique and unexpected items that can be used as outdoor accessories, vases, and containers. (Opposite) A birdcage-style accent…

Summer Stripes Steadfast and true are the red, white, and blue that highlight this traditional Southern cottage porch, complete with a quintessential pitcher of lemonade and refreshing citrus ready to share. Cheery colors and a traditional stripe pattern are complemented by the American flag waving in the warm midsummer breeze. A vintage-style galvanized container brimming with begonias, ferns, and more enhances the welcoming allure. Softly Framed Lush greenery featuring hydrangeas, boxwood, and oh-so-Southern caladiums softens the hard edges of the brick and the white columns on this gallery. The pale green shutters blend with the ceiling to create a coziness while the warm, dark wood of the double doors provides depth to the wide space. Seasonal Mix Verdant plants in full bloom bestow visual vibrancy and olfactory delight to this…

Outdoor Americana A little color goes a long way to celebrate our nation’s heritage—and to promote curb appeal. With outdoor paint and a little creativity, a gate becomes an artistic ode to the American flag (opposite). But if you prefer that someone else do the brushwork, take a cue from Fairhope residents who flock to the city’s annual Arts & Crafts Festival for handmade home accents, such as this vintage-inspired avian abode. Simple Spruce Ups Creative interpretations of patriotism can be found all around the South, especially during the summer. Perk up those outdoor spaces for the forthcoming Independence Day festivities with simple touches like adding a flag to the front porch or putting a fresh coat of red paint on Adirondack chairs. With a little imagination, you can even…

Gracious and Grand What would a Charleston home be without a veranda? As you traverse the city, revel in the beautiful porches that bedeck the facades of its stately dwellings. From cheery hanging plants to swaying swings and cozy wicker rockers that create magical spots to retreat to, these gems embody Lowcountry leisure. Made in the Shade Can you imagine a breezier scene? Savor the warm, salt-kissed air in the shade of pretty shutters that keep out harsh rays without blocking the beauty of the neighboring trees. (Opposite) The graceful archways at Two Meeting Street Inn frame the vistas of historic Charleston, adding to the impeccable sense of place.…

Room for Revelry When this homeowner wanted to carve out more entertaining space in her mostly wooded backyard, she called on garden designer Troy Rhone of Birmingham, Alabama, to come up with a plan that offered cozy patio seating amid natural surroundings. With an expanse of French doors linking the home’s interior to the outdoors, it was important to create a harmonious flow between the two. Troy echoed the clean lines of the interiors with a simple but polished layout. He enclosed the newly expanded garden with a hedge of Mary Nell holly and added creeping fig to existing brick walls. Classic, low-maintenance boxwood makes up the majority of the landscape plantings. Bi-level patios are edged in the same red brick used for the retaining wall, where a concrete carving…

British Flavor The undeniable charm of English plots was the inspiration behind this delightful Southern garden, which takes its cues from the home itself and underscores the cottage character. The inviting atmosphere starts on the home’s front porch, with pots of flowers, hanging ferns, and a vine trained above the steps leading down to the garden. Warm Welcome Since the homeowners tend to be quite informal and relaxed, the design reflects that philosophy with stepping stones that meander through pathways and rockers positioned on the porch to catch breezes and garden views. Hardy Southern wood ferns, rhododendrons, and other evergreens are ideally suited to this predominantly shady property. It is punctuated with a few carefully chosen details, such as an ornate iron gate and a stacked-stone wall that circles a…

Chic & Charming Take advantage of the view outdoors by setting a table on the screened porch. Begin with a splashy floral cloth that mirrors the centerpiece of summer blooms tucked into a faceted vase. A mismatched collection of flea market plates offers lots of vintage charm, as do the turquoise hobnail tumblers and the crochet-trimmed napkins. For an unexpected touch, swap the plain-Jane overhead light for a beaded chandelier. Playing with Color Arranged with a laid-back, mix-and-match feel, the centerpiece lends fantastic impact and also helps marry the old and new table elements through color. This display includes zinnias, dahlias, hydrangeas, and Monte Casino aster, but a cheerful combination from your own garden clippings would be equally lovely. And what would a porch be without a swing? Pile on…

Fanciful Touches As with the rooms of a well-designed home, the garden contains distinct segments throughout, each with its own identity and a striking mix of accessories. Outdoor accents like planters, urns, and ornate gates pair perfectly with a lovely mix of colorful annuals, as well as perennials like the purple clematis that adorns a charming birdhouse. Shapely Appeal Evergreen hedges trimmed into elaborate designs set the scene in the garden, providing both interest and structure all around the residence. Favorite Southern vines scale the walls and arch over the windows—all drawing attention to the refined architectural features. The harmony between the home and its natural backdrop continues in shrubs that help define the space, as well as informal plantings that soften harsh exterior lines. Lively shrubs and hedges provide…

Homespun Charm Arrange pots in varying shapes and heights, and fill them with towering lavender, bunches of light purple African daisy, gorgeous blooms of pink hydrangea, trails of variegated ivy, and patches of fragrant oregano. (Opposite) A brightly hued teakettle gets new life as a vessel for a loose arrangement of leaves and dainty, feathery blossoms. The deep red of the foliage makes for an engaging contrast with the kettle's apple-green tone. Summertime Salute Alongside Old Glory, a crisp white window box with flowers in varied shades of red, white, and pink captures the spirit of freedom and joy that summer brings. A lush swag of English ivy adds a graceful flourish and softens the edges of the wooden box. (Opposite) Silver serving pieces encircle moss bases into which petite…

Is there a more beloved Southern pastime than porch sitting? As the days grow longer and the views more vibrant, our doors beckon to be opened, drawing us out to bask in the bliss that awaits just beyond them. Whether beginning your morning with a breath of fresh air on the front vista or whiling away an afternoon on the backyard veranda, these alfresco havens are as much a part of a home as any room tucked inside. The porch’s allure lies in its versatility, its welcoming of all who come. Some enjoy the peace of personal solace, a time to reflect amid nature’s beauty or to catch up on a good book with a cold glass of sweet tea. Some come for fellowship—impromptu conversation with a neighbor, get-togethers with…

Pleasing Respite There is no greater place to savor these gloriously tranquil days than beneath a shaded porch or bloom-covered arbor. Delight guests and passersby with a basket of posies hung from the garden gate, then spruce up seating with brightly colored pillows that echo the profusion of pink in nearby flower beds. Even a modest nook can become a new favorite spot to gather with the addition of a small table and chairs, dressed to greet the season.…

Gracious Greeting A weathered table finds new purpose as a stylish potting bench on this small porch. A few simple coat hooks installed around the edges hold handy garden tools, and a pair of crates adds extra storage to the tabletop. Potted Bounty Colorful containers create a moveable feast for the senses. Options abound—iron, ceramic, terra-cotta, plastic, concrete, or foam will work just fine—and an eclectic collection can be unified with paint. When it comes to planting, consider cabbages, kale, and other salad greens alongside flowering annuals. Another delicious option is a mini herb garden—rosemary, oregano, thyme, and chives all do well in containers.…

COVER See BACK PORCH GATHERING VERDANT RETREAT PAGES 11-16: Photography; Mac Jamieson. CREATIVE WAYS IN THE GARDEN PAGES 17-26: Styling; Amanda Bailey Leach. Photography; Marcy Black Simpson. Resources: Antique chair and mirror, planters, cabinet, watering can; Tricia’s Treasures. Flowers; Sweet Peas Garden Shop. GATHERING GROUNDS PAGES 27-34: Photography; Kamin Williams. Garden design; Troy Rhone. SMALL WONDERS PAGES 35-40: Landscape design; David N. Brush Landscape Architecture. SUMMER SONNETS PAGES 41-48: Styling; Yukie McLean. Photography; Marcy Black Simpson. GARDEN AT WORK PAGES 49-52: Photography; Stephanie Welbourne Steele. Gardening station design; Troy Rhone. COASTAL OUTLOOK PAGES 55-62: Styling; Tracey MacMillan Russell. Photography; Mac Jamieson. Resources:Shutter paint color; Farrow & Ball Blue Gray No. 91. COTTAGE CHARM PAGES 63-70: Garden design; Troy Rhone. Photography; Mac Jamieson. OUTDOOR LIVING PAGES 71-74: Styling; Tracey MacMillan Russell.…