It has been a while since I’ve posted about our garden.With the arrival of warmer weather, much is going on. Bulbs are blooming, trees are leafing out, and perennials are popping up. We’ve been busy seeding, planting, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, cleaning up, etc. Spring is indeed a very busy time, even in our small city garden.
I like to start each day with a quick survey and walk to see what’s changing outside. Here is a look at early spring in our garden.
Pure sunshine in the small courtyard! While yellow happens to be one of my favorite colors, I seldom use it inside or out. However, I made an exception here with Tete-a-Tete small yellow daffodils. Tete-a-Tetes are early bloomers, and their bright yellow color is a fabulous way to kick off spring. The little fountain finally got its spring cleaning.
Tete-a-Tetes hold their blooms upright on sturdy stems.
They bloom early before the Natchez crape myrtles leaf out.
Next to the front door is this spring blooming camellia with double white flowers. I’m sorry I forgot the name. Anyone know? It is underplanted with white lilies of the valley dug from my friend Charlet’s garden.
So much to do! We planted pansies in the urns, and relaid the pea gravel walkway. The walkway had become dingy, so we replaced the top 50% of the gravel and sand. We recycled the old gravel and sand to beds that needed better drainage.The below photo was taken right after a shower. Everything looks so green! Here the trees are just starting to leaf out.
The bronze gate handle even got oiled. It now works much better 🙂
A few days later, fresh green foliage on the hornbeam trees.
The birdbath was taken out of storage, and my garden companions have returned. Hi, there, little friend!
This time of year, the house is still shading most of the white border garden. But look at the profusion of white flowers on the skip laurel hedge. I chose skip laurels for the white border garden because of their white blooms and dark green foliage–a great backdrop for all the white flowers in this garden.
We planted white periwinkles under the hornbeam trees two years ago. They seem to be taking off. Last year, they suffered from a fungal attack. Fingers crossed!
Remember the Clematis Paniculata that covered this tuteur last year? I recently gave this vigorous climber a good haircut as it had grown so much. Under the tuteur I’ve planted another favorite daffodil of mine: Stainless. I love its clean, pure white flowers.
Everything looks so beautiful! I especially love the Stainless daffodils!! I keep going back and looking at them over and over again!
Oh so beautiful!!
what a stunning garden loi, i am in love.
so fresh and crisp with lovely proportions, currently in highpoint, enjoying spring which eludes chicago
happy spring enjoying the fruits of your labors
debra
Hello Loi, I am very envious of your garden, it looks so fresh and so serene. It's odd, but in the various houses I have lived in, some on acreage, there has never been a real garden to enjoy.
Dear Loi – it is such a joy to see everything emerging from its winter sleep again.
I always enjoy seeing your restrained pallet of colour and the strong structure you have with your boxus balls and interesting shrubs and trees.
I am not very knowledgeable on north American birds, is that an American Robin?
Indeed, that is an American Robin. We are lucky to have many of them in DC.
Happy St Georges Day Mister Mr!
Your spring garden is beautifully balanced and orderly, I had such fun touring this morning. I have been inspecting with my beady eye and I see Marianne the fawn is not on top of her wall as yet though. Wherefore art though Marianne?
Could your Camellia be 'Primavera' or 'Alba plena'?
Paul
Good news: Marianne is back! She'll be making an appearance soon 🙂 Thanks for the camellia info….will check out.
Hello Loi !
Your garden is so impeccable and white flowers are so chic !
Have a nice spring !
Céline.
The study you have done for this landscape which is ideally adapted to your interiors offers a perfect , harmonium result. It combines the minimal with the cheerful and it must be a real joy to relax outdoors or to have lunch … You have a long period ahead to enjoy this beautiful garden. Have fun !
Warm greetings!
Olympia
Loi-
Your garden is so beautiful. Daffodils are such happy flowers, and I love the way these stand.
The greenery is so beautiful. I look forward to seeing the new growth.
Happy Tuesday.
Teresa
xoxo
those daffodils make me happy! and i love the camellia. we had one by our door in louisiana, and on the side of of first maryland house. this is the first house we have owned that doesn't have one, but it makes up for it in peonies. 🙂
Stunning garden, Loi! I love all of the varied spaces and sections. I would love to have a pea gravel walkway, they are so charming.
Such a joy to see your garden in all stages of the year. It is just breathtaking my friend. I love how your colors start with yellow and go to white, then blue and so on during the summer. You're a master, and it makes for such inspiring blog posts. Thanks for the beauty! And good luck with the new shipment!i know you're so busy.
XoxoNancy
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Loi, your gardens are a work of ART. Every season, month, week and day are perfect. The planning of colors and placements are pure magnificent and magical. There is no way I could have a favorite!
My idea of heaven looks something very similar to your lovely garden.
Beautiful, Beautiful! A little explosion of green and white! Love the bird – how on earth could you manage to "catch" it with your camera? Your white camelia is wonderful, mine is suffering very much this year from two very hard winters.
Your garden looks simply stunning and so refreshing after this long winter! Yes – Spring at last!
Warmest and sunny greetings,
Karin
P.S No, I want be at the London Fair. Trying to visit next time in autumn, maybe we can catch up/meet there???
Karin, I'd love to see you in Autumn! Hopefully we can meet up in London. Cheers, L
I am a bit late, having celebrate my birthday last night but it is actually TODAY. ANd this my dear Loi, is the way I love to party…in a garden, with good friends.
I am now sitting back, enjoying every step of the way in your palace garden!!!!!!! First of all, just last night we got another dumping of SNOW so I am itching to get outside to also survey my natural world, but it will happen soon; by Sunday, we are supposed to get up to 70 degrees. I know, MINNESOTA weather is fussy!
Your myrtle trees are luscious. When I was growing up in Los Angeles, my father enjoyed growing them and the pink colors are unforgettable. Your little fountain is now singing and I can hear the joy! My French style fountain is still covered up, but it won't be long.
I SAW A LARGE ROBIN just yesterday before it started to snow, looking at a patch of green blades of tulips attempting to rise to the top. So we are crossing our fingers!
THANK YOU for this treat. When I see that you have posted a new post, my heart literary jumps! PEACE my dear, Anita
Good lord Loi – this is EXQUISITE. I love everything.
I just can't imagine waking up to this every morning – I would NEVER leave my garden, Loi. The picture of the backyard with the gorgeous gate, beautiful boxwoods and touches of white in the urns…exquisite!!
Beautiful! And so green!
Thanks for sharing!
Your garden is absolutely beautiful and has brighten this dreary, cold day in Connecticut – we just can't seem to shake the chills this year! Thank you for sharing your projects!
Loi, I'm simply echoing everything that everybody else is saying — your garden is gorgeous! And you are an inspiration.
I love, love, love when you share your garden with us! It is my most favorite blog feature anywhere! I look forward to seeing the changes over the next few months.
Thanks, Heather! Hope you are doing well and enjoying your home!
I have such garden envy from your place. This is just perfection, and I am sure you love it too.
Loi
Your garden is pure perfection. You have such an incredible eye. I love that row of crepe myrtles with the daffodils below…and that stainless variety…I have never seen it…lovely!
Dear Loi,
What a stunning garden you have! I'm so impressed by all of your hard work in designing and maintaining it–although it's clearly a labor of love! We favor those cheerful tete-a-tetes as well, and now, thanks to you, I'm inspired to get out there and start pulling out my Anduze pots, and start planting! It's still a bit early here in Michigan, but happily, our local nurseries are introducing more and more cold-tolerant flowers for those of us who can't wait any longer!
Warm regards,
Erika
Beautiful Loi! The first couple photos look like our neighborhood ~ lots of daffodils and pansies!! I planted some tulips that were JUST about to open. When I checked on them yesterday.. a deer had be-headed them 🙁 Such is garden-life here in the PNW Lol! Your spring garden is looking lovely! Keep us up to date on your progress! xxleslie
Hi Loi,
I am now convinced there is nothing you do not do WELL or should I say PERFECTLY?!! I am in awe of your beautiful home and gardens, I always feel such a peaceful feeling when I visit and walk along with you in your lovely surroundings. Thank you again, for giving us a tour. Blogland is so much better because of YOU!
xo Kathysue
Thanks so much, Kathysue!! You are very kind 🙂
The Skip Laurel Hedge looks so much like Clethra! But blooming oh so much earlier. Love it here. I will have to order some of the Stainless daffodils: I've never seen any quite so white/creamy and just glowing!
And, of course, love the bird bath. Our is quite the social center of our garden!
Your home is perfection and — not surprising — your garden is perfection too. Even the gate latch is fabulous. I just planted some double white camellias in February (Florida, you know) and I hope they look as beautiful as yours next year. I am in love with your skip laurel but, sadly, they don't grow here. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with us.
XO, Victoria
Your garden and home is just gorgeous! Love your boxwood and tuteur I have the same one! Beautiful daffodils–it's all just amazing!
I've been working in the garden too. It's just contagious. Every day I go to Home Depot or Lowes for more plants! We worked six hours
on Sunday planting red geraniums in pots around the pool at our country house. It looks amazing! Enjoy your spring Loi! ~Delores
Your white camellia intrigues me…we have a huge deep pink camellia in our yard and have planted at least half a dozen of its "offspring"…all pink except one…the white just like yours…does that make it the "white sheep of the family??" franki
Your garden is so beautiful…. looks like a very peaceful place to be in the morning.
Yellow is one of my favorite colors, but I seldom use it indoors as well, but I do have yellow roses in the garden.
Love the picture of the bird in the birdbath.
Thank you for a very lovely tour of your garden.
Wishing you a great day.
Angela
As with all of your posts, beautiful. You should add a Pinterest button to your photographs – they are incredibly well done and need to be shared with pinners everywhere!
Thank you, Anonymous. I do not know how to add a Pinterest button 🙁 but will look into it.
Hi Loi: I have read all the comments about your garden + I too want to congratulate you on doing such a beautiful job. That picture of the robin is stunning as is everything else. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
oh i loved this stroll through the garden with you, friend. the order, the palette, the promise of spring, the green returning, the oxygen injected into the air so that in addition to our senses, our lungs reap benefits too.
smiles from this notgreenthumbed fairy.
michele
Such an inspiration, your garden is beautiful. I love daffodils.
What a lovely and serene space you two have created with each of your gardens. I will now be on the lookout for "Stainless" bulbs…gorgeous! And who says you can't take amazing birds shots?!!!
xo Kat
Your garden is fabulous!! Dying over those camellia blooms and wishing Stainless daffodils would grow in New Orleans.
Hi Loi, looks like you have been very busy in the garden, and it looks in perfect order! I love to see garden posts from you, I am always inspired by the symmetry and order, the combination of plantings and vision behind each area you share with us….just gorgeous! It is still cool here in my neck of the woods.. 🙂 I am still cleaning up winter debris and leaves, but next week promises to be better…N.xo
Hello Loi,
Your spring garden is blooming with the promise of a spectacular summer scene! I never grow tired of looking, or rather, staring, at your beautiful front entrance, with its symmetrical and serene aura!
Thanks for the treat!
Poppy xo
How did I not notice your brick courtyard before? Beautiful. We've had some crazy weather lately – hot to downright chilly. Your garden looks happy and full.
Some day you are going to come home and find me sitting on your front porch! Your gardens are stunning and love the bird bath, so fun to watch them. The cleaning is a pain…..too bad the birds don't shower;) xob
Spring has arrived in my Inbox! Love the posts of your own house and garden best of all 🙂
Thanks, Caspar. Great to have you visit again!
Loi, such a beautiful garden – the years I lived in D.C. I only had room for a potted plant in the corner of my bedsit!!!!
Love everything I see here, you did a wonderful Spring clean up. I'm now doing mine here in NC where the weather has been delightful and everything is blooming profusely in my now 1/4 acre garden. The robins love birth baths don't they? One actually waited at my feet while I was washing mine out and refilling, then hopped right in for a bath – before long another appeared and joined in, splishing and splashing together.
Happy week – Mary
I'm glad SOMEONE is getting spring! Your spring garden is beautiful, Loi. Here we are expecting a wintry mix tonight. I am so ready to be done with winter. I'll have to pop over here to your blog to catch some sunshine!
Keri
Loi, your garden looks just gorgeous! Now words for! Love love love it!
xx
Greet
Oh how truly delightful! Would you please, pretty please, come do some landscaping for me?! I need some help getting my vision translated to the garden!
I'd be honored! But only if you help me with slipcovers 🙂 I love your work, Jill!
Loi,
I love your garden. Some of the plants you have mentioned, Hornbeam and skip laurel, I've not seen around here. They may require frost to flourish, but they sure are beautiful. What do you oil your gate latch with?
I must plant some sterling daffs next year, they are wonderful in their striking white.
Your garden is looking fabulous.
Karen
Thanks so much, Karen. I used a little bit of WD-40.
You have a lot going on in this early spring, Loi. We're still dealing with fairly cold temps here in the Ozarks, although things are just starting come out of their winter sleep. Your 'small city garden' as you say, is full of beauty. And everything looks so meticulously cared for. I too would love to start my day with a stroll around your garden.
xo
Terri
Oh Loi, you know I have been waiting! I adore your garden…the neatness and order is so refreshing after being in the midst of my chaos! Your camellias are so beautiful! Your garden is a place to dream, reflect, live. You have created a remarkable retreat, decorated ever so carefully with Mother Nature's gifts.
Gorgeous! Everything is so green and lush! We recently moved from an area that was zone 7/8 to zone 3 and I'm really struggling with it! We are still brown and dormant here….ugh.
Hi Loi,
Such a stunning garden. I adore the white daffodil and can't wait to see the lily of the valley blooming under that gorgeous Camelia.
Thanks for sharing. Hope you are well.
Jess xx
Thanks so much, Jess. I'm looking forward to sharing photos of the lilies of the valley, which are about to bloom.
Loi,
It looks fabulous! I cannot wait to see more as it warms up. I am anixiously awaiting planting in our garden this year and I am leaning towards white and purple to keep it simple.
Best,
Christina 🙂
Absolutely beautiful, Loi. Thanks for sharing. xo, Phyllis
Hi Loi….everything is gorgeous! I was in Santa Barbara California and it was so beautiful….thought about you…everything was blooming….it was so pretty and I forgot my camera…hoping my iphone pictures are good enough to post….
Thanks! Would love to see photos of Santa Barbara, which I hear is beautiful!!
Loi, your grounds and home are beautiful.
Hello Loi, I can't believe I didn't comment last night when I first read this inspiring post. I must have been mesmerized by your elegant garden, beautiful house and those lovely flowers. Everything is just fab! Pamela
Hi Loi! Your gardens are just so lovely. I too would love to start my morning just walking around and enjoying the beauty of your flowers and feathered friends! I've always loved daffodils and plan to plant them this fall. I love the idea of white so I'll have to look into that but the yellow remind of of my childhood and the wild daffodils growing in the woods. I can't wait to see how your gardens transform over the next few months.
Dawn
Hello Loi
Your garden is spectacular and I would particularly love to take a seat by the white garden area. Yes, please, I will take a cup of Earl Gray tea, since you asked. My late father-in-law when once inspecting my clematis in spring suggested that I aggressively dig by spade 12 inch around the root and he said they liked dry feet, so a stone was put by their feet. I am missing my garden and this post brought me great joy
Helen xx
Loi this is just beautiful!!! I love the bird and your fabulous daffodils. Can't wait to see your cute doggy in a future picture:-) xoxo, K
Hi Loi, I just adore your garden photos and thanks for providing the names of everything. We live in Zone 3, so not much grows here, but I get lots of ideas from you! Nothing is green here at all, except the lawns that are slightly less brown every day. We have two birdbaths also, and we feed the birds, so I love to see the robins arrive. We even have a bird bath heater for winter. Your bird bath is gorgeous..!! LUST!!!
xo Terri
Oh I loved seeing this beautiful garden at the end of my day! How amazing that must be for you to see this everyday. Your garden and exterior of the home is truly gorgeous. thanks for sharing!
Loi your garden and grounds are simply stunning. It is actually snowing lightly here in Kansas City this evening.
I am so very ready for Springtime. You have made my day!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Stunning, I wonder if you have been inspired by the famous white garden created by Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent?
Enjoy your wonderful serene garden.
s
Thank you, S! Yes, I've made the important pilgrimage 🙂 to Vita's spectacular white garden at Sissinghurst. I spent nearly 6 hours there!!! Next time I'm planning an entire day 🙂
LOI!!!!!!
Oh how WONDERFUL to see that you came back for a solo performance of HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I had a super day! I enjoyed the peace and quiet of my home, talked to a friend on the phone and WATCHED THE SNOW MELT AWAY! We are supposed to get 70 degrees by Sunday, so maybe my garden will get a clean-up like yours! I showed my husband your post and he really loves your garden and home. HAPPY DAY DEAR LOI! Merci beaucoup, Anita
Right here next to the beautiful Birthday girl… 🙂
Loi, dear, what glorious green!!!! Ours is coming, it's coming!! 60's predicted for the weekend…
Your garden is a marvel…so exquisite…enjoy, dear friend!!!
Stunning photos…
And thank you for helping to celebrate dear Anita!!
Much love,
– Irina
Hello Loi,
Wow, just perfect! Your stunning garden has such a beautiful energy to it. Your Lily of the valley is ahead of ours (important in France as given on May first). Have a wonderful week.
Ivan
Loi – Your garden is looking so beautiful already and it's only April! The yellow daffodils are so pretty as are the "stainless" daffodils. Not sure I've seen those before. Thanks for the garden tour!
-Deborah
Hi Loi, Your garden is so beautifully designed and all the plants are so happy and lush! I love how you've used all the boxwoods, especially in front of the larger hedge, great idea 🙂
Loi, the garden looks beautiful! I have never seen white daffodils. Where does one buy them? Your bird bath is stunning, I am sure that all of your little friends love to come to visit.
Thanks for sharing your fabulous space, my little wheels are turning so that I can spruce up my plantings.
Have a wonderful week, Elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth. Many of my bulbs are from White Flower Farm. I also purchased a few at Home Depot.
Loi, your garden is one of the prettiest I've seen. So beautifully designed- hardscapes, shrubs and flowers! With everything so manicured it's obvious this is a labor of love for you!!!
Thank you, Barbara. For your visit and kind words. I hope you'll visit again. Will share more garden photos. Take care, Loi
Hi Loi-
your garden is so pristine and beautiful and so green!! Happy spring indeed :).
XO
Sarah
Your garden is stunning Loi! Adore the repetition of boxwoods in front of the house……Thank you for sharing such perfection!
Sophia x
Lindas suas flores e seu jardim. Acho legal esse cuidado com o plantio de flores. Aqui não damos tanta importância para flores, por que aqui faz sol o ano inteiro e a terra é muito seca. Tenho que ter plantas resiste ao sol e a seca. Meu sonho era ter flores assim como você em abundancia. Esses botões amarelos estão belíssimos.
Tenha uma ótima semana.
I love the energy, beauty and blooms that come with spring! Aren't daffodils the happiest flowers? Maybe because they are some of the first to bloom…or maybe because yellow is just a happy color! We had loads of them here in Nashville/Franklin. Hoping to plant some bulbs here on the farm so that we'll have some next year. LOVE your gate handle, by the way!
Hi Loi! Everytime I'm done reading your blog post, I give a big sigh of satisfaction (just short of a burp) like I've just had a good meal.
Sooo beautiful, Loi… already!
Kerry
Hi Loi, You and Tom have created a perfectly beautiful spring garden! I love every single image. Loving the Stainless daffodil and the robin in the birdbath. I am so happy when reading your posts, thank you for sharing your beautiful life!
PS I bet your neighbors try to sneak peaks through the garden gates as they stroll by!
Loi,
Kudos to you guys! Love, love, love everything. Understated elegant, beautiful and so inviting. Even the daffodils (and the bird!) are beaming! What an oasis!
Hugs, Mon
Loi,
I know it's already been said, but your garden is gorgeous!! It's clean yet vibrant and exciting. Your photos are lovely too! Jealous!!!
Happy Weekend,
Jennifer
Loi,
I'm so green with envy! You're my role model! I adore, adore every nook and cranny of your impeccable garden and property!! XX
Loi, So darn pretty!! Love the drift of yellow and your little friend! Pretty much LOVE it all.
Monica
Simply wonderful! Spring is finally here! YAY!
Best,
Karolyn
Loi, I love your camellia bush! I have been thinking of getting a blush pink one, but so far have not.
Happy spring and enjoy the weekend! Liz
Lovely gardens, I love the sunny fields of tete~a~tetes! Your birdbath is wonderful, if I were a robin or a delicate white daff I would want to be near it as well!
Loi your garden is gorgeous in every season! But I am loving the cheery yellow daffodils and bright greenery that has sprung up…Spring is finally here! Can't wait to see more…
Would you consider posting a plan of your garden? I would love to envision your layout; although I live in a different climate zone (Canada) I would love to incorporate some garden elements of yours into mine.
It's such a magical place!! I don't think there are too many people as talented as you! Everything you create is so stimulating and I thank you for that! What would we do without people like you – life would be so boring;P
Hugs to you Loi!
Desiree
I am in love with your garden Loi. It looks beautiful in Springtime.
Susan
Loi,
I love the sunshine the Tete-a-Tetes provide in your elegant garden. Those Crape Myrtle trunks are sublime.
Loi,
Your garden looks simply fabulous! We planted daffodils for the first time and I have loved the jolt of color they have given, bridging us from what seemed like an eternal winter until now. We also added 3 pear blossom trees that have bloomed a beautiful white.
I've had to leave town for a few days and could tell that my tulips are about to bloom. I kind of wish they would wait until I return, but i know it will be a fun sight when I round the corner and see them lining the house!
Be well!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Dear Loi,
I do like your daffodils. I prefer single coloured ones so your white ones and your yellow ones please me a lot.
I turn emerald when I see your garden. One day . . one day. . . we too shall have a garden. In the meantime I shall admire yours!
Hi Loi….your garden is gorgeous and the yellow daffodils look so pretty…I need to plant some flowers in my yard….I would love for my yard to look as beautiful as yours..
Hi Loi,
I just took your delightful spring garden tour!
I love the way your special aesthetic vision seems to flow effortlessly out from the doors and windows of your beautiful interior spaces, and into your garden.
(I know it's not really effortless, but you make it feel that way).
Your gardens look restful, like a peaceful green & white oasis in the middle of a busy city.
Those camellia blossoms are so beautiful they hardly seem real!
Thank you for sharing!
Suzanne
WOW!! Your garden is pure heaven…so green and lush and the flowers are like the icing on a delicious cake!! Thanks for taking me on a stroll through your gorgeous garden, what fun. Enjoy it and wishing you a wonderful week:)