raised beds

When creating our plan for the backyard, Ann and I came up with the idea of planting herbs and veggies by the steps that lead from the lanai to the brick paver patio. How fortuitous that Ann got the idea to create raised beds for this! Billy, our carpenter for the project, made them out if the same cypress he was using for the siding behind them, the top of the pergola and the hot tub screen. I love how they look and what they are filled with. View large and see if you can find . . . .

Parsley, sage, gazania (flowers), an aloe plant (out of view except one leaf!), mint, tarragon, basil, garlic chives, rosemary, tarragon, oregano & thyme. Of course I bet you also might spy the rubber pink centipede and grey lizard that Steven added to the garden as "decorations" for our house warming party . . . visitors since then have asked if they were dog toys!! I am surprised actually the dogs have not snatched them. There is a third empty bed right next to these two, to be planted in the next couple of weeks with lettuce, tomatoes, whatever will work!

Ann is designing our front yard now too. The yucky Florida style grass (that is not doing well-I don't like to water it) will be ripped up, and a ground cover of Asiatic jasmine combined with a couple of shell paths will be added instead. We already have the Royal Poinciana and our landscaper Grant just brought me a present of a Miami gardenia -he planted where the palm tree was. We also have planned Beach daisies and purple lantana around the mailbox (with a path going to) Azaelas, mexican bamboo, an orange bouganvillea, Coco plum, pink jatroopha . . . oh gosh, even more that I will fill you in with later! It is exciting to create this outdoor space with someone like Ann who really knows her Florida friendly plants and matches them to our taste!!