Acorn Cottage: Spring in the Garden

 There is a specific kind of magic that settles over New Orleans when spring arrives. The air softens, the humidity hasn't quite reached its summer peak, and the entire city seems to exhale in a burst of jasmine-scented relief. At Acorn Cottage, this season is all about renewal—and, of course, getting my hands back into the dirt.

The Timeless Palette: Green and White

If you’ve followed my gardening journey for a while, you know my golden rule: Green and white is always right. There is something so crisp, clean, and effortlessly sophisticated about a monochromatic garden. It acts as a cooling balm for the eyes and provides a lush backdrop that feels intentional and serene.

A Pop of Seasonal Pink

However, rules were meant to be (slightly) broken! This year, I decided to stray from my usual script. To create a seamless flow from the porch to out in the garden, I’ve introduced light pink petunias into the mix.

These soft, ruffled blooms are the perfect bridge between the garden and the decor of the porch cottage. By pulling those delicate rosy hues from my indoor accents and planting them in the soil, the entire property feels like one cohesive, lived-in space.

With Easter fast approaching, the garden needed a little extra personality. Scattered among the new plantings, you’ll find:

• Boxwood Bunnies: Sitting in each cast iron urn, each bunny is tied with a light pink velvet ribbon. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Weathered Metal Eggs: Tucked into the foliage for a sophisticated "hunt." 

  
  
  

• Stately Metal Bunnies: Peeking out from behind the petunias, adding a touch of vintage charm. 

  
  
  

These metallic accents provide a lovely contrast to the soft petals and vibrant greenery, nodding to the holiday without feeling over-the-top. It’s a playful, elegant way to celebrate the season of rebirth.

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Garden Note: Whether you stick to the classics or experiment with a new accent color, spring is the time to let your home's personality shine through your landscape.

 

Happy Spring Planting!

Vincas in the Garden

 When the petunias finally faded in the front garden pots, I added white vincas, and they have been tolerating the heat of the summer sun so well.

Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is a tropical perennial that is grown as an annual in most regions. It has flowers and foliage that resemble those of impatiens, but rather than being a shade lover, annual vinca is a perfect choice for sunny locations. Also known as Madagascar periwinkle, these aren't the newest or flashiest annual flowers on the gardening scene, but recent cultivar developments warrant a closer examination of this common bedding plant. Horticulturists have been hard at work cultivating new colors in plants with showy flowers.

Remember, green & white... always right!

Vincas, y'all!

Coleus in the backyard

I also added coleus plants in the back garden. Boxwoods line the patio, so I planted coleus plant right behind them. They are doing so well. I also added the plants in a couple pots near the seating area. I am certainly loving the colors of the coleus plants at this time of year. Now, if only the weather would cooperate and get cooler. I'm not sure if I can deal with this 90+ degree temperature much longer.

Coleus in the front yard: click HERE

More Coleus, y'all!

In the Garden: Caladiums

It is no secret that I love caladiums planted at this time of year. They are easy to grow by plants and bulbs. I planted the White Christmas variety throughout the front and back yards. I also added the White Queens in the rear garden.

Take a look:

Caladiums, y'all!

In the Garden: Gardenias

With it being our first year in the house, I adore watching the new plants which were added in October 2018 begin to bloom and flourish.
The gardenia plants have such pretty white blooms, and the smell in the front garden is intoxicating.

Gardenias, y'all!

In the Garden: Shell Ginger

We inherited much of the landscape in the backyard, and I am in love with the shell ginger plants along the rear fence. I never grew these before, and it is the first time they bloom for us.

Did you know?

Alpinia zerumbet, commonly known as shell ginger, is a perennial species of ginger native to East Asia. They can grow up to 8 to 10 ft tall and bear colorful funnel-shaped flowers. They are grown as ornamentals and their leaves are used in cuisine and traditional medicine.

The ginger plants are tall and lush and look great on the fence line.

Shell Ginger, y'all!

Foxtail Ferns on the Porch

We had pretty hard freezes this winter (quite uncommon for South Louisiana), and each zapped my foxtail ferns. At the end of February, I cut all of them back, and just look at the result today. The foxtails are returning absolutely beautiful.

Are things "greening" in your neck of the woods?

Foxtail Ferns, y'all!