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Saturday, July 18, 2015

Adding Pops of Color and "Water-Wise" Garden Flowers

Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  My garden gate is always open for you to stop by and sit and relax with a cup of tea - yes - we are still drinking tea in the garden as  I live near the ocean and our summer mornings are usually cool with a little cloud cover that burns off by mid morning - perfect morning tea weather!  

Bentley, my Studio Assistant, is waiting to show you some of our new "water-wise" plants and ways that we are adding color to the garden and at the same time helping us continue to reduce our water consumption by 35% by saving household water and using "grey" water from the shower and kitchen to water the container plants.



My garden and home are inspirations for many of my paintings with primary colors.  Since we are in the midst of the worst drought in California history  I am always looking for ways to add color in the garden without adding necessary watering and  the red and white strip umbrella added a much needed pop of color.
                                 The addition of colorful pillows also add much needed color.






Birdhouses, a vintage wooden flag and a few pots of "water-wise" flowers add summer pops of color to the kitchen patio - by using drought tolerant plants that do not need much water we are able to save our precious water to water the pots of herbs used for cooking.





The rusty blue watering can adds a pop of color to the pots of drought friendly Geraniums.

We are allowed to water twice a week with timed watering  and the Geraniums and "water wise " plants are doing great with twice weekly watering and our "grey" water additions.  By now about 98% of the containers in my side garden are drought tolerant.  Since we only have so much water we decided to focus on the side garden where  we spend the most time. The grass,  Roses, and Inpatients  in the front yard are not doing well with limited water and the Roses and Inpatients are fading  and grass is starting to turn brown.  The positive side is our small space side garden is thriving.

I like to plant the Martha Washington variety Geranium as they like to spread and do well with twice a week watering and trail so nicely from the vintage bicycle basket.






Most of the flowers are in containers so I can move them around for inspiration for a painting.  All flowers in this photo are "water wise" - Geraniums, Rudbeckia, Lantana and Salvia.

By changing the colors and pots I can create a different look to paint - this time I added the pink Echinacea and white Pentas - all "water-wise".



Adding a pot of Echinacea to the vintage blue box is a simple way to add "water-wise" color to the garden.


                               All are "water-wise" container flowers  in the photos below.





Yellow Rudbeckia adds a bright pop of color and meet our twice a week watering goal.


The Rudbeckia blooms remind me of small Sunflowers and I like to use them in a petit garden painting to brighten a grouping of Succulents.






The addition of my small paintings on canvas or wood blocks throughout the garden next to drought tolerant potted plants, birdhouses, etc.  add color and a touch of whimsy and do not need water!













Different varieties of Geraniums do very well in pots as well as planted in the ground.


                        I am also starting to plant Succulents . Using them in combination with  vintage birdhouses, colorful pots, boxes and small paintings on wood  are a simple way to add pops of color to these water-wise plants.












Thank you for stopping by.  I sincerely appreciate you visits, e-mails, comments and those of you following my blog.  I will be on a mini blog break for two weeks getting some paintings ready for the "Postcards From Europe" art show at the Showcase Gallery.

Have a lovely week.  Blessings, Erin

                            " For we walk by faith, not by sight."  Corinthians 5:7



15 comments:

Merlesworld said...

It all looks cosy and warm to me.
Merle...........

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Your flowers look wonderful. Mine look terrible and I am loosing a couple of rose bushes. I also save all my grey water for my potted plants. As the flowers die in the pots I am not replacing them. I pulled up my veggies Thursday morning.
I love your garden with all your pops of color - everything looks terrific.
Have a great show.
I'm loving the rain we are having right now and I hope it rains all night long.
Have a great Sunday.
Mary

http://deezie-sunshinedeezines.blogspot.com/ said...

Good Morning
Your Garden is always so beautiful, love all the pretty colors. I love succulents and plant them here also. Yes, the yellow flowers look just like Sunflowers, how fun. Enjoy your day today, love that umbrella***
deezie

Susan said...

Totally beautiful flowers and pops of color, Erin. I love the red seat cushions! Your paintings are fabulous---whimsical---100% appealing. Wish I could send you some rain from western Massachusetts. We've been deluged. Keep cool! Susan

Sue Kosec said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I would just love to visit your gardens some day. Such beautiful colors, flowers and I know we would have a great time just talking about art.

Happy Summer!
xo
SuZeQ

Junkchiccottage said...

Ahhhhhh everything is so cute and pretty including Bently! The colors in your garden just make the heart smile.
Happy New Week Ahead Erin.
Kris

Deb said...

There is so much beauty here. Your garden is most welcoming. I love your small paintings so much and the birdhouses are so delightful. Deb

Jean Tuthill said...

I love your colors! The pillows really make it! Enjoy your day!

Marcia said...

I so need your colors today, Erin.
LOVE the galoshes.
xo

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

So beautifully arranged. A colourful and uplifting garden.
I love your paintings.

Art and Sand said...

Your garden space is so gorgeous!

ruma said...

Hello. Your works is Elegant.
Greetings from Japan. ruma

Polly said...

Beautiful photos, your garden looks lovely. I like your dog.

Jordan said...

So cute! I love the white furniture - definitely seems like a great place to hang out on a summer afternoon! Thanks for sharing these pictures!

Marlynne said...

You've done a great job with your water conservation and pretty flowers! Look your sweet paintings too!