Snapdragons are Poppin'

 The snapdragons in the front garden were planted way back in November of last year, and they are still putting on a show. Green and white is always right says James Farmer, and I agree. The white flowers make for such a coolling effect at any time of year.

Thanks again to Perino's Nursery for offering such a healthy selection of annuals from season to season.

• Annuals!

The snapdragons really have put on a spectacular show.

Snaps are Poppin', y'all!

Fall Plantings

 At the end of October, the flower beds were cleaned making way for the winter annuals. This year, I added lots of snapdragons in white hues to the front garden. You know the saying, "Green and white is always right!" I totally believe it too. I hope that the snaps  do as well as they did last year.

Snapdragons in the garden, y'all!

Fall: Coleus in the Garden

 Come end of August, my sunpatiens are long and leggy, so after pulling them up, I love to plant coleus in the garden. The colors of coleus lend to the seasonal hues of Fall. 

My go-to plant nursery: Perino's

Coleus comes in an array of foliage colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, chartreuse, green, burgundy and purple. Leaves 1-6” long can be pointed, oval or scalloped, many with intricate veining or patterns. Coleus flower in late summer, with blue flower spikes that are often trimmed off for a neater appearance. Though most are bush types, there are trailing varieties as well.  

Tolerant of sun, shade and heat, coleus is a quick grower that can be massed in the landscape, used as a filler element in a container, or allowed to cascade in a hanging basket or window box. With hundreds of different varieties to choose from, there’s a coleus to suit any garden style or color scheme.

2023 Halloween posts

It's Beginning to Look Like Halloween | Door Hanger & Flag | Pumpkin Stacks | Gone Batty! | Mummy | Spiders & Crows | Facade at Night | Living Room |

Coleus in the Garden, y'all!

Happy 4th of July!!!

 The front facade here at the Acorn Cottage is ready for the week of 4th of July. A recently purchased doorhanger from Southern Antiques is a perfect, patriotic welcome to our guests.

How are you and yours celebrating the 4th? Stay cool.

Flag: TomTom & Company

Buntings: Home Malone

Happy Fourth, y'all!

In the Garden {Agapanthus)

 Though I did not get many blooms this year, several agapanthus blooms did appear. I'm so happy that I was able to find the white blooms several years ago for the front garden. I do love green and white, for it's always right!

Agapanthus is a genus of six species of fleshy-rooted perennials with a long history of taxonomic confusion. It was originally included in the lily family (Liliaceae), was then moved to the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), moved again into the onion family (Alliaceae), went back to Amaryllidaceae and now resides in its own family, the Agapanthaceae, a sister family to the Amaryllidaceae. Despite the common name of Lily-of-the-Nile, they are not native to the Nile River basin of northeastern Africa; this monotypic family (consisting of only one genus) is actually endemic to southern Africa. In its native areas, Agapanthus is considered to be both a magical and a medicinal plant, used to treat heart disease, paralysis, coughs, colds, and other ailments, and the leaves are used as bandages (the plant does contain chemicals with anti-inflammatory and other properties). 

Agapanthus, y'all!

Christmas 2022 {Acorn Cottage: The Facade}

 Red, green, and gold abound in the front of Acorn Cottage. I adore fresh cedar garlands and wreaths as well as pops of red with red poinsettias and balls. Ribbons of plaid are my favorite to use at the holiday season. Take a walk into the front garden...

Front door crest wreath: Tom Tom & Company

Custom Monogrammed Door Hanger: Cynthia Kolls

Toy Soldiers: Green Acres

Yard Ornaments: Holiball

Plaid ribbon: d. stevens

Live Cedar garland: Mitch's Flowers

Live poinsettias: Perino's Garden Center

2022 Christmas posts:

Acorn Cottage @Night | Acorn Cottage Daytime |

Red, green, and gold, y'all!

Halloween 2022 {Pumpkin Stack}

 I love a good pumpkin stack! This years pumpkins were purchased at my favorite nursery, Perino's. The selection of ornamental pumpkins are perfect for stacking. 

Let me also give a shout-out to the Grand Opening Day of the Pumpkin Patch at St. Paul's Episcopal School, my home away from home. Go visit the patch in Lakeview(6249 Canal Blvd.), and tell them Mr. Carrier sent you!

The weather here in NOLA is beautiful. I hope you are enjoying the Fall weather and less humidity.

See my 2022 Halloween posts:

Let's Get Lit | Acorn Cottage at Night | Acorn Cottage {Facade} | Acorn Cottage {Door Hanger} | Around the Neighborhood {Patton & Eleanor} |

Pumpkin Stackin', y'all!

Acorn Cottage Blooms {Sunpatiens}

 The sunpatiens that were planted in early March look like they are on steroids. The beautiful white blooms really "pop" in the greens of the garden.

All plants in our gardens are purchased from Perino's Home & Garden Center in Metairie, LA.

Sunpatiens, y'all!

Springtime {In the Courtyard}

 I love the greens in the courtyard after a huge rain. The courtyard certainly looks lush and "happy."

Recently planted sunpatiens and white Christmas caladiums are thriving and add to the coolness of the courtyard. I cannot wait for the hundreds of caladium bulbs which were planted in mid-March to make their appearance soon.

A couple Easter egg yard stakes add to the spirit of the season.

Spring Courtyard, y'all!