Earlier this month the veranda went through its annual cleaning. I was fairly confident that the pollen onslaught was done, so time to get the veranda in shape for the warmer season. We started with moving a lot of the furniture to one end so we could wash the floor.
This is hard work, scrubbing and rinsing, and doing it again.
Furniture is moved to the grass, scrubbed clean and thoroughly rinsed. They dried quickly in the sun.
Then everything was arranged for a nice place to enjoy for the warmer days and evenings. Most of the plants I put into pots last month are flourishing. Pink calibrachoa and yellow petunias are getting larger and blooming profusely.
Another pot has just the calibrachoa, doing well too.
I put my thrift store pot on the table, full of lobelia, along with two small pots of white begonias.
The torenia baskets are already starting to trail down, with lots of purple flowers.
The biggest pot holds white begonia and blue lobelia.
What is that? Something hiding in the leaves.
It’s a fairy house, something magical is happening here! Looking around a bit more, I saw another little door in the flower bed. The tiny door slightly open gives a glimpse of the stairs inside. I knew I heard some wings last month! There must be a fairy home in that pot.
Nearby, my bargain snapdragons are going strong. These were a terrific buy at 75 cents each!
The brick planter box iris flowers are so pretty, with more buds yet to come.
The yellow torenias are going strong, soon they will be trailing down the sides of this planter too.
The pots on the edge of the veranda have pink geraniums, two varieties of blue lobelia and yellow lantana.
I moved the tea cart to the front to hold a few things. Purple verbena and red dianthus are planted here. The empty container on the lower shelf has been planted with johnny jump up seeds. But, what is that behind the cart?
More fairy homes, tiny doors signal a new neighborhood is here.
Out in the meadow, another visitor stopped by. Isn’t he cute?
Back to the porch, white impatiens fill the pots in the bottom of the little mosaic tables between the rocking chairs. The weight helps them to be stable. A glass of iced tea is easy to reach there.
Another one is beside the bench. I still need to find the pillows usually on it in the summer.
A leaky watering can from the thrift store now is put to work as a planter. I like the different shape it adds to the grouping.
So, almost done. I planted broccoli and squash that a fellow car club member gave me. The lettuce pot from a few years back has been planted with seeds, but I may have started them too late, we’ll see. The tomatoes are getting bigger. My Easter Lily might yet still bloom, maybe in June. The daylilies are budding, and the hydrangea may bloom after all. I still have a few empty pots to fill too, and will be looking for something different to plant.
Time to relax and enjoy the warmer weather, sit in the rocking chairs and breathe the fresh air.
Mint Julep anyone?
From My Carolina Home 
Your porch is looking good and the flowers are filling out nicely! Our deck has to be stained this year and it hasn’t been dry enough or warm enough to do it yet so I don’t have the pots out there planted yet. They were even talking about a slight chance of FROST tonight but I think they have changed that 😦 I’ll cry if that happens !!!
Your veranda looks very inviting and the flowers are beautiful. Like the fairy houses. We have a wrap around porch on our house, but I live in Pittsburgh Pa. and the weather changes from warm to cool and rainy. Hope to get the porch cleaned and flowers planted in the next couple weeks. Enjoy!
We could so be friends…..love the front porch with all of the flowers and whimsie. Very inviting!
Oh that front porch looks delightful. You two have really scrubbed it up nice!
It is ready…. but what about this afternoon, will you get storms?
And tomorrow will be chilly and nice for additional gardening.
I love the fairy houses. They are so sweet.
Yes, please!! Your veranda looks fabulous, and I can’t wait until this frost is past us so I can settle properly into spring!!
Good Morning Carole! I was delighted to read your post and slowly look through all of your pictures. Got a good little giggle out of your fairy houses; they do add a special touch and fun. I planted several pots this year with an assortment of flowers and vegetables; only they got put on the special flower stand hubby built for me. I still need to plant quite a few seeds in a couple of my flower beds, it is clouded over today, which means temps are going to be lower so a great day to finish planting. Thank you for sharing and have a fantastic creative day!
It is so lovely, Carole…I would love spending time there! And I am charmed by the whimsical little fairy doors!
Fairies!!!!! I love your touch of whimsy, and your plants are gorgeous. We’re still in the yellow pollen season here. Soon we’ll sweep the decks and porches, too.
Ahh, lovely. Now I’m inspired to get out and wash my deck (what we call a structure like your veranda) and get the furniture arranged. It is still too early for planting here, but we should be safe from cold nights in a week or two. Your flowers look beautiful and welcoming. I’m sure your new “neighbours” agree!
Love your little touch of Fairy magic. I decorated with cute gnomes this year…it’s all so fun huh!! Hope you enjoy yourself a nice glass of wine as you sit and soak up the fresh air. 🙂
Everything is beautiful & blooming at same time .
Is that a stream by your house? Love the Fairy doors. Your porch is great with all the flowers & tables. I do not have such a large porch, but I may try adding flowers in pots. Thanks for the show.
Your porch and flowers look wonderful. It must be great to sit there and have a mint julep. Your little visitor is such a cutie!
The veranda is lovely! I love all those flowers. Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home.
Jennifer
Your porch looks so welcoming.
Your veranda is so charming ~ thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!