Melody's Garden still inspiring one year later....

Last August I introduced you to the beautiful garden of my friend Melody.  There have been some changes over the past year so I just have to show you how good it looks now.  Some of these views are similar to ones I shared last year, as with the coral vine which looks amazing on the barn.

Matching caladiums on the nearby sill.

I especially wanted to see the Crocosmia in bloom

Bright orange contrasts with the green foliage.

Crocosmia are grown from a bulb that looks like gladiolus.  I planted Crocosmia a few years ago and they didn't bloom so I replaced them.  Turns out I should have waited because Crocosmia take a few years to get established.  These look so good, I'll try again.



A peek through the fence to preview the new garden behind the barn which we'll tour on this visit.



First, a stroll through the shade garden

Same photo, yet different plant from last year.  The fern looks great planted this way.  Here's the link to my previous post.

A weeping redbud in the planter.

The same weeping redbud in bloom last spring

Just enough sun for the Hibiscus.

John Fanick's Phlox blooming around an old oak stump.  The Phlox was one of the first plants Melody planted in this garden about ten years ago.  The small lawn area is Floratam St. Augustine which uses less water than standard St. Augustine turf.

Succulents in a Karst stone.

Melody also brought home a Salvia 'Amistad' from our field trip to Vivero Growers.  Hers is doing beautifully by the back door, mine in more sun is struggling a bit lately in the hot afternoons.

Begonia for summer color against the light stucco house.

Melody has been adding more yucca and other low water plants.

I shared a couple of Opuntia Santa-rita pads a while back and now one is already producing a new pad.  I like the skewers used to keep them upright.



Two colors of Shrimp Plant looks so pretty with John Fanick's Phlox in the background.

Chile Pequin and Inland Sea Oats, both Texas native plants

Rhizomatous Begonia, I love the colors and texture on the stems.

Walking over to the barn and the new garden in the old corral.



An anole on the fence munching on something....

The last time I showed you this garden it was covered in plastic to solarize the bermuda grass and weeds.  Fall 2013

Over the past year Melody, along with gardener Jesse and his crew, have put down mulch in the pathways and added soil and compost to the boxes.

Back in March of this year planted with winter veggies.  It's looking good despite our tough winter. 

Now the area is transformed into a gorgeous, sunny garden.  

The boxes and planters have filled in with flowers, veggies and herbs this summer

Artichokes, I want to grow these just for the blooms!



Gomphrena and roses in a bed of cinder blocks.



Hibiscus and roses in one of the boxes



The wheelbarrow belonged to a long-time neighbor and Melody painted it to go with the other galvanized metal in the garden.



Near the wheelbarrow the bed of columbines and poppies bloomed prettily back in March.



Those decorative gourds left over from last fall seeded themselves here

Nearly ready for this fall

The window at the back of the barn.  The compost pile is back here.

This friendly lizard hangs out by the compost waiting for daily treats.  He is partial to grubs.

Around front the bright white accents of the caladiums pick up the colors of the house.  The wire is there to keep deer out of the border.



Last time I introduced to you to Lucy, a doe Melody hand feeds, and now this year Ethel has joined the mix of wildlife which call Melody's front yard home.

And the deer still gather awaiting the feeder each evening.

Melody's garden continues to provide inspiration for plants in my own garden and updating the blog is a great motivation for me to head over there with the camera so you're sure to see more of her garden in future posts.