Well, summer has definitely arrived! Last month I complained about all the rain, and I suppose I should have kept quiet, because it is plenty hot and dry now. Still, it has been a wonderful month full of rewarding projects and fun events.
One of the most exciting happenings was the realization of the At Home in Arkansas Curb Appeal Makeover. My crew and I spent a weekend with the contest winners, along with members of the At Home family, and we had a blast! Be sure to check out the full makeover feature in the August issue of At Home. Until then, here are a few sneak peek photos:
We used large boxwoods (my favorite shrub) to dress up the home’s entry.
Hydrangeas and azaleas helped fill in a forgotten shady corner.
Hostas and other textural plantings were used in various spots for their interesting foliage.
And here is Yours Truly, filling a pair of window boxes with colorful annuals!
Another thrilling experience of the past month occurred June, 20th…the evening of the Garden to Grill dinner party we hosted with Chef Jen Lewis. It was a beautiful gathering with delicious food, tasty drinks, good music and great people!
Around the Live Outside the Box House, the garden continues to fill in rapidly. The hostas I showed you last month burst into bloom finally and are only just now beginning to fade.
In the perennial garden, the purples are dominating right now, with the Hyssop and Chaste Tree taking center stage.
The view through the perennial garden looking toward the front lawn has improved for other reasons, as well. I decided to plant a trio of Emerald Green Arborvitae at the end of this vista to help screen out the neighbors house. Nothing against the neighbors, of course! Although it is a little difficult to see in this photo, I think the result is a good one, as the eye can now focus on all the colorful blooms of the perennial garden without being distracted by the house beyond.
The vegetable garden also continues to thrive and to provide me with fresh produce! The cabbages (despite a few worm holes on the outer leaves) are ready to harvest.
As are some of my tomatoes! I actually am dying to fry up some of the green ones before they all ripen, but these will be great on a grilled hamburger or chopped into some fresh salsa.
The dill from the Nourishmat is as tall as I am (6’2″ in case you were wondering)!
And one of the grape vines has already grown to the top of the fence and then some!
I can’t wait to have them all properly trained along the entire fence. At this rate, I am hoping they may really look like something by the end of the season. Either way it is so fun watching them grow….which you can practically do! So, join me next month. Who knows? Maybe they will have taken over the whole place!
Did you miss Daniel Keeley’s May Update or June Update? Click through to enjoy!
Exterior designer Daniel Keeley is an Arkansas native and founder/principal of DK Design. His work has won numerous awards and accolades and is featured regularly in various publications. For more information visit dkdesignoutdoor.com.
