Discover 100 of the Most Beautiful French Homes on Houzz

We mark Bastille Day with a journey through a wide-ranging collection of gorgeous French homes and gardens

 July 14 is Bastille Day in France. The holiday, instituted in 1880 during the time of the nation’s Third Republic, marks the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution, an event that symbolized the end of absolute monarchy. Bastille Day also commemorates the Fête de la Fédération, a national festival held in 1790 to celebrate the unity of the nation and the drafting of the early stages of the constitution the previous year.

What better occasion to embark on a tour of French architecture and decor? On the itinerary are elegant Haussmannian apartments, the charms of Provence, lofts brimming with character and traditional country houses. From Lyon to Paris, Bordeaux to Nice, and even to the nation’s overseas territories, we look at incredibly rich styles, surprising choices and clever ideas. Don’t forget to tell us which of the photos is your favorite!

Melian Randolph

1. Biarritz. See the rest of this home

d.mesure – Elodie Sire

2. Normandy. See more of this country home

Catherine Sandin

3. Versailles, Yvelines. See more photos and read about this weekend retreat

MEERO

4. Argenteuil, Val-d’Oise. Tour this loft outside Paris

Sarah Lavoine – Studio d’architecture d’intérieur

5. Paris. See more of this chic apartment

François Primault architecte

6. Moirax, Lot-et-Garonne. Step inside this contemporary home

Agence Glenn Medioni

7. Paris. See more of this petite apartment

Damien Carreres

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8. Méribel, Savoie. Tour this rustic ski chalet

frederique legon pyra architecte

9. Var. See more of this seaside villa

Marion Alberge Décoration

10. Paris. See the modern decor of this Haussmannian apartment

Nous Studio

11. Trouville-sur-Mer, Normandy. See more of this award-winning design

Ml-h design

12. Montpellier, Hérault. Step inside this renovated mill

am Alexandra Magne

13. Paris. See more of this duplex with industrial style

SARL ARCHITECTONIK

14. Toiny, St. Barts. Get a taste of island life at this villa

Aurélien Vivier

15. Lyon. Peruse this plant-filled home

Ciel Atelier d’Architecture

16. Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie. See more of this wine cave near the Swiss border

17. Paris. See the rest of this luxe apartment

Laurent Guillaud-Lozanne Architecte DPLG

18. Lyon. Tour this contemporary home

Jours & Nuits

19. Marseille. View this interior designer’s home

Au50bis

20. Bordeaux. See more of this historical renovation

Dorner Design

21. Paris. Discover this apartment’s stylish simplicity

Jennifer Decaux

22. Paris. Behold the power of home staging

Olivier Chabaud Architecte

23.Villennes-sur-Seine, Yvelines. See more of this light-filled home

ATELIER FB

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24. Paris. Visit this apartment of an art collector

nesso

25. Var. See more of this contemporary villa

Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs

26. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. See more of this transformed yard

MEERO

27. Paris. Bohemian chic in a former artist’s studio

Bernard Touillon Photographe

28. Alpes-Maritimes. Tour this charming home in the south of France

Jours & Nuits

29. Frontignan, Hérault. See more of this seaside cottage

Fabrice Ausset – Architecte DPLG

30. Paris. Step inside this eclectic apartment

MAS PROVENCE

31. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. Tour this traditional farmhouse

Aude Borromée

32. Paris. See more of this colorful space

Agence Glenn Medioni

33. Paris. See more pictures and read about this apartment

MEERO

34. Paris. Tour this home of musicians

CKA PARIS

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35. Paris. See more of this apartment

AMDECO

36. Méribel, Savoie. Visit the rest of this chalet

Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier

37. Lyon. See more of this apartment bathed in light

JPDA

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38. L’Isle-Adam, Val-d’Oise. Tour the rest of this home

ATELIER FB

39. Paris. Style galore in this home of a fashionista

Cendrine Deville Jacquot – Architecte DPLG

40. Bordeaux. See more of this home addition

Christophe Beaugrand / Anthony Nicolini architects

41. Paris. See more of this glam bedroom

A3Design

42. Périgord, Dordogne. Tour this renovated chateau

Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier

43. Lyon. See more of this transformed loft

d.mesure – Elodie Sire

44. Paris. Step inside this moody apartment

atelier daaa

45. Paris. Visit the rest of this home

Franck Minieri, Photographer

46. Nice. Tour the “Super Dog Loft”

Jours & Nuits

47. Le Lavandou, Var. See more of this seaside villa

Aurélien Vivier

48. Saint-Étienne, Loire. Step inside this renovated textile factory

be-attitude

49. Paris. See more of this bright apartment

Atelier Zündel Cristea

50. Vincennes, Val-de-Marne. View this contemporary home

For 50 more please visit net weeks Blog!

Thank you to HOUZZ and

Pauline Warlet July 14, 2017

Rédactrice en chef Houzz France

20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties

Ditch the fancy and fussy in favor of laid-back entertaining that leaves you more time to enjoy the fun

Summertime calls for a distinctly unfussy approach to entertaining, and thankfully so —because who wants to sweat over planning a summer soiree? Make things easier on yourself by hosting outdoors instead of in, getting guests to pitch in and embracing low-key, budget-friendly decor. From DIY flowers and quick extra tables to a beachy outdoor bar, these 20 ideas will make your party planning easier.

1. Whip up an extra table with sawhorses. Short on outdoor dining space? Hunt down a few sawhorses and top them with a length of board as big as you want your table to be. You can paint the board, cover it with a cloth or butcher paper, or leave it as is.

2. Fashion a wooden crate into a drinks container. If you line it with plastic, any old crate can be a rustic-chic open-top cooler for keeping soda and beer on ice. It won’t keep it cold as long as a real cooler, but it should do the trick at a party.

3. No crate? Use whatever you’ve got. An old wheelbarrow, a garden cart, an enamel bucket or even a toy dump truck can be lined with trash bags and filled with ice to make an impromptu drinks cooler.

Cezign

4. Give your outdoor bar a tiki makeover with a palapa roof. Search for “palm leaf thatch panels” to find a source and tack a few lengths of the grassy stuff to the roof of your outdoor bar or shed to give it some tiki bar style.

Celia Bedilia

5. Dress up candles with woodsy details. Curl a wide green leaf and drop it into a glass jar — then fill the jar with water and float a tea light on top. Or use lengths of birch bark (available at craft stores) to wrap the outside of a jar or candleholder, and fasten them with twine.

6. Make beachy candles with mason jars and sand. Filled partway with sand, a mason jar of any size can easily become a chic candleholder. To make hanging lanterns, wrap the mouth of the jar with flexible wire and hang the jar from the branches of a tree. For safety, use battery-operated candles for hanging.

Atlantic Archives, Inc.

7. Use soda bottles as vases. A row of tall, slender soda bottles lined up in the middle of a table makes a pretty (and supereasy) centerpiece. Just plunk one bloom in each vase, and you’re done! Try gerbera daisies, cosmos or sunflowers.

Soapstone Werks

8. Involve your guests. Have them help squeeze lemons for fresh lemonade, let them take a turn cranking an old-fashioned ice cream maker or send them into your garden with clippers to pick a bouquet for the table.

Bruce Clodfelter and Associates

9. Seat everyone at one big table. Who wouldn’t love coming into a backyard set up like this? Put two or three tables together if you have to — the dramatic effect will be worth the effort.

Corynne Pless

10. Use old crates as trays and servers. Vintage wooden soda crates make the perfect receptacle for toting glasses, vases, napkins and other essentials out to the garden. Or use one to dole out flatware, standing utensils upright in simple mason jars.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

11. Boost ambience with lanterns and signs. Flank the entrance to your party area with a pair of big lanterns and lean a sign nearby — it can announce the menu or simply say, “Welcome!”

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

12. Greet visitors with a pretty porch for the Fourth. A great big galvanized tub of red geraniums and a waving flag make a cheerful entrance to this home. Keep the patriotic spirit going with Americana-style cushions on a classic porch swing.

Beckwith Interiors

13. Give guests a healthy option with fresh flavored waters. Fill a big drink dispenser with ice water, flavored with fresh ingredients for a healthy thirst quencher on hot days. Try lemon, lime or orange slices; fresh mint leaves; cucumber rounds; or berries.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

14. Place your table in the shade. There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy a lovely meal al fresco when the sun is beating down on you! Keep your guests comfortable by pulling the tables under the shade of a tree or awning, or invest in some umbrellas.

Cottage Home, Inc.

15. Make a plan to keep bugs at bay. If you have a water feature, make sure you regularly treat it or skim it to keep mosquitoes from breeding there. If the bugs are bad in your area, plan your event for a less buggy time of day or hold it on a screened-in porch, where your guests can enjoy a fresh breeze without getting bitten.

The Cousins

16. Create activity zones to keep large parties moving. Setting up several distinct areas can help a large gathering feel more manageable, as your guests will naturally be drawn into smaller groups. For instance, you could set up a dining table, a fire pit circle, a porch lounge and an outdoor bar.

Becky Cunningham Home

17. Collect thrifty party supplies. Avoid last-minute stress by keeping an entertaining cupboard well stocked with mason jars, florist’s buckets, table linens, candles and serving containers. Many times you don’t even need to buy these things — save pretty old jars to use as glasses, washed-out tin cans to use as flower containers and even old bedsheets to use as outdoor tablecloths.

Celia Bedilia

18. Go wild with your arrangements. Plucking flowers and foliage from your own backyard is cheaper than buying them, and it can be more fun, too! Push yourself to look at your garden anew and clip a little something unexpected to tuck into your bouquet. Dandelions look charming in mason jars, flowering chives are utterly romantic, and an artichoke would make a dramatic centerpiece in a mixed floral bouquet.

19. Hang flowers from a tree. Use a drill to punch two holes in a washed-out tin can and thread wire through the holes to make a hanger. Fill your cans with cut flowers and hang them from a tree around your outdoor dining table. Leave the cans plain or dress them up by tying on strips of pretty fabric.

Thom Filicia Inc.

20. Consider the arc of your evening. Moving your guests from place to place is a great way to keep the evening moving along — and keep folks talking. Start with appetizers and drinks on the porch, move into the backyard for dinner, gather around the fire pit for dessert, and carry mugs of coffee on a postdessert walk to the water or somewhere equally pretty.

Thank you to my source- Houzz and Laura Gaskill

Laura Gaskill May 25, 2015

Houzz Contributor. I cover topics ranging from decorating ideas, product picks, Houzz…More

Fabulous Fall Container Gardens

Celebrate the season with potted displays rich in color and texture. Embrace the bold tones of autumn with containers filled with eye-catching foliage in brilliant gold, fiery orange and deep burgundy. By choosing plants based on your climate, you can create dramatic displays that will last well into the holidays. In cold climates, select plants that are resistant to frost, such as conifers and coral bells, for long-lasting vignettes. In mild-winter climates, play up the colors of the season with succulents and perennials in rich fall hues. Here are 12 container combinations to add fall cheer to your porch or patio.

 

Autumn embers

Vivid foliage and hot-colored flowers nearly glow in two charcoal-colored containers in this Vancouver garden. A mass of bronze coleus leaves edged with chartreuse forms the middle layer of the composition in front of orange-flowering canna lilies (Canna sp.) and purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’). Spilling over the edge of the pot, pumpkin-colored Calibrachoa picks up the color of the canna blooms, while sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) deepens the color palette.
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun

Light and airy

Bright green tendrils of maidenhair vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa) pour over the side of this tall rectangular container to create an eye-catching cascade in Seattle. Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum ‘Thunderbird’), a Northwest native, provides dark berries in summer and copper-colored leaves in fall, as seen here. The larger green and bronze leaves of highland doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) and variegated Japanese sedge (Carex hachijoensis ‘Evergold’) complete the display.
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun

Dark chocolate

A dark monochromatic base palette can be particularly effective in highlighting bright accents. Bronze-leafed coleus, cascading sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Black Heart’ and ‘Blackie’) and burgundy canna lilies (Canna sp.) create a rich base to show off bright gold Coprosma, center left; a lime-green tuft of cape restio (Rhodocoma capensis), center right; and coral dahlia blooms, behind.
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun

Understated elegance

A stately Hick’s yew tree (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’) looks good year-round, with dark needle-like foliage studded with decorative red fruits. Underplanted with houseplants including purple inch plant (Tradescantia sp.) and bright orange ornamental peppers, the container looks festive from late summer into fall.

In winter, replace the underplanted houseplants with cold-hardy heathers (Erica spp.) or cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) and string the yew tree with twinkling lights.
Notes: All parts of yew are toxic if ingested, and only female trees bear fruit.
Water requirement: Moderate (yew tree requires little water once established)
Light: Partial shade to full sun

Structural succulents

In a tall bronze-colored container, the wavy stalks of upright aeonium (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’) are just as ornamental as their deep purple flower-like rosettes. A mix of aloe and echeveria plants fills in around the base of the aeonium, while delicate tendrils of string-of-pearls succulents (Senecio rowleyanus) spill over the edge of the container. This frost-tender composition would be best for warm-winter climates.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun

Grasses and maples

Use subtle container plantings to balance dramatic fall foliage for a pleasing composition. Here, a pair of textured black containers filled with a wispy orange sedge (Carex testacea) and a dwarf false cypress (Chamaecyparis sp.) create a rich yet subdued accent along this gravel pathway. The real show in this garden is the brilliant foliage of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) beyond.
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun

 

Trio for fall

The addition of one pumpkin-colored pot updates the look of two summer containers for fall. The foliage of strappy purple cabbage tree (Cordyline sp.) in the tallest container picks up the dark purple centers of white-flowering Surfinia Blue Veined petunia (Petunia hybrid) and provides a sense of movement. Bronze-tipped succulents coordinate with the container glaze.
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun

Black and gold

This bold container composition has an unusual mix of black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’), brilliant gold ‘Delta Dawn’ coral bells (Heuchera ‘Delta Dawn’), yellow-leaved ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ box honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’) and white-flowering heather (Calluna vulgaris).

The most unexpected part is the sweet, citrusy perfume of ‘Eternal Fragrance’ Daphne (Daphne transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’), which blooms well into fall.
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun

Fall flame

The aptly named ‘Sticks on Fire’ milkbush (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’) lights up this potted succulent arrangement in Santa Barbara, California, with its branched, coral-like structure and brilliant orange color. Lean it against a post or provide sturdy stakes to support this tall, brittle plant.

The addition of deep purple aeonium (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’) and purple New Zealand flax (Phormium sp.) creates a rich fall color palette that is perfect for warm-winter climates.

Green-leafed aeonium (Aeonium ‘Starburst’), blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae) and slender myoporum (Myoporum parvifolium) round out the front of the container.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun

Peaceful trio

This Asian garden-inspired trio keeps things simple with a single potted tree per container. Glazed black containers work well with both the Japanese maples (Acer palmatum cvs.) and the weeping blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’). A framed trio of garden photos hung on the rear wall would provide year-round interest even if other areas of the garden were more subdued.
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate

Edible element

The brilliant leaves of edible ‘Bright Lights’ rainbow chard are just as stunning in a fall container composition as in the kitchen garden. To keep the arrangement looking good, and to encourage the chard plant to keep producing, harvest leaves at the base with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.

Also planted in this Seattle container are coral-colored hypericum berries (Hypericum sp.), ruffled red ‘Fire Alarm’ coral bells (Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’), ‘Blue Star’ juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’), ‘Tom Thumb’ New Zealand flax (Phormium ‘Tom Thumb’) and ‘Rheingold’ arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’).
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun

Bronze glory

A color palette of gold, copper, rust and green echoes the color of fallen autumn leaves in this container in the Northwest. Here, the leaves of heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) are turning bronze against a chartreuse lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa cv.) at the back of the container.

In the foreground, copper-colored coral bells (Heuchera sp.), ‘Goldfinger’ New Zealand iris (Libertia ixioides ‘Goldfinger’), limey sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Pusillus Minimus’), black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) and orange-flowering pansies form a tapestry of rich fall colors.
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun

Special thanks to Lauren Dunec Hoang, Houzz Contributor

Dreamy Poolside Retreats

 

 

Immerse yourself in stunning pool house designs from Greek revival to modern Gothic!

As the temperature creeps toward 90 degrees Fahrenheit today, I am dreaming of being able doing the Nestea plunge in a pool in my own backyard. As the dream expands, I imagine a beautifully appointed pool house where I can settle among pillows covered in Trina Turk fabric in my bathing suit and stylish Tory Burch tunic (I don’t actually own either), grab some unsweet tea from the wet bar and write my ideabooks while I cool off.

Alas, it’s just a sweltering day’s daydream, but cruising through the beautiful pool houses on Houzz helps enhance it. Whether you’re planning to make your pool plans come to fruition or just want to join me in the dream, I hope these six diverse pool houses will cool you off and take you away for a few minutes today.

Greek revival in the Connecticut countryside. Symmetrical pergolas add outdoor wings to this classical pool house by Crisp Architects. This architectural trick expands the pool house’s proportions to the right scale for this landscape.

Pleasing proportions inside include a vaulted ceiling that makes the space feel much larger, while custom built-ins provide storage that keeps clutter at bay. Bluestone floors create continuity between indoors and out.

French doors with transom windows overhead bring loads of natural light into the indoor space and provide easy access to the outdoor rooms underneath the pergolas.

See more of this pool house

Rural appeal. This barn guest house/pool house by Arturo Palombo Architecture was one of Houzzers’ favorite Houzz Tours so far. Built using the timbers from a historic (but about-to-fall-down) barn on the property, it suits the new landscape and pool to a T.

Fresh transitional style honors the vast, open space and draws the eye to the original structural components, beautiful rough-hewn posts and beams.

See the rest of this pool house

Classic proportions outside Atlanta. This brick pool house’s symmetry and centered siting behind the pool anchor the entire poolscape in the backyard. The house was a collaboration between architect Cynthia Karegeannes, interior designer Beth Weltlich and contractor Innovative Construction.

The family wanted a fun hangout space complete with a galley kitchen, a billiards table, an exercise room, a bathroom and even a putting green.

The outdoor space on this covered porch has year-round appeal; when it’s too chilly for a dip, the family can gather by the outdoor fireplace and watch postseason football games.

Check out the rest of this pool house

Modern gothic in Nashville.This spectacular pool house, designed by Jamie Beckwith, is thrilling for oenophiles but perhaps terrifying for those with vertigo. The clear floor here lets guests see through to the Gothic-inspired wine cellar below, tricked out with Lucite wine storage and LED lighting.

Rich textures give this room an elegant look, while finishes and fabrics were made for wet feet and damp suits.

Another stunning feature is this solid walnut bathtub with birdseye maple inlay trim.

See the rest of this pool house

Casual comfort in a California garage. When this Northern California family began to outgrow their cottage, they looked to their extra-large garage for more space. The resulting pool house, built by Bill Fry Construction, is a favorite place where the kids hang out with their friends for games and movie nights.

The existing garage was so large that they still have space for their cars on the other side.

The home has an efficient wet bar, outfitted for grabbing poolside drinks and snacks.

For those who don’t want to tromp all the way through the pool house to reach the luxurious steam shower, a convenient outdoor shower was added during the pool house renovation.

See the rest of this garage conversion

Minimalist pavilion in a dazzling Australian backyard. This stunning contemporary landscape by Rolling Stones Landscapes incorporates a contemporary pavilion that blurs the lines between inside and out.

Under and around the pavilion is cooking, dining and lounging space.

The pavilion provides shade and comfort during the day, and there’s a cozy glow at night via the outdoor fireplace.

Special Thanks to Becky Harris Houzz Contriibutor

Spring Gardening Tips

Winter storms and cold seem to go on forever, but now the grass has turned green and spring rains are falling. So grab your trowel, rake and hoe and get ready for spring with the following tips!

 

Prepare for Frost
The frost-free date for the Louisville area is around April 18. The term frost-free means that there is still a 50-50 chance of frost on the frost-free date. Be prepared for late spring frosts. Cover tender plants with row covers, cardboard, blankets, or newspaper. We have had frost as late as Mothers Day!

 

Prune Trees and Shrubs
Spring is a good time to prune trees and shrubs while they are dormant. Without leaves; it is easy to see the framework of the plant. Complete pruning before buds break. For general pruning of trees and shrubs remove any dead or diseased branches. Remove all water sprouts and suckers. Water sprouts are stems that grow at right angles to the branches. Suckers grow from the base of the tree. Prune out crossing or rubbing branches. Prune back to a bud or a branch. When cutting back to a bud, make sure the bud is facing outward. This will cause new growth to grow to the outside of the plant. Shrubs that bloom in the spring like lilacs, spirea and forsythias should not be pruned in early spring. Pruning would remove flower buds. Prune after they finish flowering.

Soil Prep

Never work your soil when it is wet. Digging or tilling wet soil will compact your soil turning it into clumps as hard as concrete. It will take several seasons of adding organic matter to the soil to rebuild its structure. Use the “squeeze” test to check if your soil is dry enough to work. Take a handful of soil and squeeze it. If the soil crumbles through your fingers, you can work your soil. If it stays in a ball after squeezing, the soil is too wet to work and you should give it a few days to dry.

 

Lawn Care

Prepare your lawn for the mowing season. Rake away all twigs and debris. Have the lawn mower blades sharpened, replace the spark plugs and change the oil. Seed bare spots in the lawn. Dig up the soil six to eight inches deep and add a starter fertilizer. Sprinkle on a good seed mix of bluegrass and fescue. Rake lightly to mix seed with soil. Tamp to assure seed-soil contact. Keep well watered for two to three weeks until the seed has germinated.

 

Rabbit Protection

Protect your newly planted vegetable garden from rabbits. Purchase chicken wire fencing with one inch or smaller mesh. Wire should be at least three feet tall. Install around garden and bend back six inches of fencing and bury below the soil. This will keep rabbits from crawling underneath the fence.

Divide Perennials

Spring is a good time to divide most perennials. Divide plants when flowers get smaller, when the center of the plant dies out or when the plant outgrows its space. Dig around the plant and lift the clump out of the ground. Break the clump into sections. Larger sections will re-establish quicker than smaller sections. Keep the clumps moist until ready to plant.

 

Bulb Care

Remove spent flowers from spring bulbs. Allow bulb foliage to die back naturally. Leaves make food resources which are stored in the bulbs for a repeat flower show next year.

Kill Creeping Charlie
Spring is a great time to remove the weed Creeping Charlie manually with a rake or by hand. Creeping Charlie has square stems, purplish blue funnel-shaped flowers and round to kidney shaped leaves. Winter temperatures weaken the roots. So in March, after the ground thaws, when the soil is moist and before new growth has started is the time to pull the weed before it becomes established.

 

Houseplant Maintenance
Spring is a good time for houseplant maintenance. Longer days and higher light intensity will cause indoor plants to begin growing faster. Start fertilizing again using a half strength solution every other watering. Prune hard now to stimulate new, bushier growth. Repot your houseplants when roots grow through the drainage holes, when the soil mass is filled with roots, when new leaves are smaller than usual or when the plant wilts between waterings. Plant into a container that is one to two inches wider than the original pot.

 

Would you like to give your garden a face lift?

Create an outdoor living space?

Build your dream home?

Photo by Wolford Building & Remodeling – Look for traditional home design design ideas

Contact us at Wolford Built Homes!  With over 40 years experience, we are qualified and happy to do any of the above!!!

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Bulbs: The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend

 
Want to wake up to a flower-filled garden? Then get digging now and plant your bulbs! Most require little, if any, maintenance once they’re planted. And hardy bulbs can safely be left in the ground year after year.

What:   Daffodils, tulips, crocus, grape hyacinths and gladiolas are just some of the plants to choose from.  Read the label and try to keep the it with the bulb until planting. Without the label, you can’t tell the red tulips from the white ones just by looking at the bulbs.

When:  If you want to fill your garden with color next spring, plant bulbs from October to December, before the first frost.

Where:   You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden as long as the soil drains well. Bulbs like sun and in many areas the spring garden can be very sunny, since the leaves on the trees are not out yet. So keep in mind when planting in the fall that you can plant in many places for spring blooms.

How:  Step 1: Loosen soil in the planting bed to a depth of at least 8”. Remove any weeds, rocks or other debris. You can mix in compost, other organic matter or slow releasing fertilizer if your soil lacks nutrients.

Step 2: Depending on the bulb, follow the recommendation on the label for planting depth. As a general rule, plant big bulbs about 8″ deep and small bulbs about 5″ deep. Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It’s easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip; tougher with a crocus. If you can’t figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side, in most cases, even if you don’t get it right, the flower bulb will still find its way topside.

Step 3: Now that the bulbs are planted, back fill with soil over the hole, lightly compress the soil but do not pack it. Water to stimulate root growth. There is no need to water continuously unless you live in an area with low precipitation in the winter months.

Why:  In the end, what you do with fall bulbs is limited only by your imagination. A few hours one brisk autumn afternoon can yield months of colorful excitement in your yard or garden next spring.

Thank you BHG for great ideas!

Building your dream home?

Remodeling your current home?

Ron and Martha Wolford are the leaders in luxury homebuilding in Louisville, Kentucky!

Visit our website!

http://www.wolfordbuilthomes.com

Preparing for the Big Chill

Although we have had the hottest week of year, fall is right around the corner.   With the change in season come changes to your garden.  Now is the time to prepare for the big chill.

Here are a few simple tips to prepare your garden for winter and ensure a great garden next spring!

1.  Remove all dying and dead plants.  Clear out the blackened stems and foliage of annual flowers and vegetables to prevent the possibility of their harboring disease pathogens and insect eggs over the winter. Cut back perennials to ground level after first frost to neaten your garden and remove pest eggs and disease spore that may  linger.

2.  Mulch is the garden’s best friend as it cuts back on weeds and holds in moisture.  Rototill mulch into soil to create more organic matter.  Collect ground up leaves and put in compost pile for use as mulch next spring.  Add a thick (6″) layer of mulch to protect plants and soil over the winter months. You want to wait until after the first frost to do this so rodents don’t nest in the soil.

3.  Plant bulbs! The good news is that planting flower bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof. One reason fall bulbs are loved by both beginner and master gardeners is that there are so few issues to consider.  Bulbs should be planted as soon as the ground is cool, when evening temperatures average between 40° to 50° F. You should plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes. The Dutch say, “bulbs don’t like wet feet.” So, avoid areas where water collects, such as the bottom of hills.  My next blog will include step-by-step instructions on how to plant bulbs so you can add tropical color to your garden next year.

4. Keep simple records of what grew well and those not to plant again.  When planning for next year, keep in mind when things bloom to ensure color throughout the spring and summer.  I often take pictures throughout the season to remind me what flourished when and where

5. Finally, draw a map of your garden so you don’t plant annuals on top of late blooming perennials.  You may not be aware of certain bulbs such as gladiolas until July!!

Thank you Better Homes and Gardens and HGTV.com for great suggestions!!

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Plant One for the Team

Kick off the fall season with a bit of team spirit in your garden. Let your neighbors know who you’re rooting for with a color display of your favorite football team’s colors. From flowers and foliage to fruit and fall color, nature can help you support your team.

Go Cards!!

Celosia  ‘fresh look red’ and Coleus ‘crimson velvet’

Nature loves this color and the choices are endless!!! Here are a few:

• Celosia  commonly called cockscomb are warm weather plants that thrive in hot, humid areas. The vibrant flowers require a minimum of eight hours of sun each day and soil that drains quickly.  When planting celosia in the fall, prepare site by removing weeds and mixing organic matter into the soil.  Water often and deadhead.
• Lantana ‘Dallas Red’ is an ever blooming, evergreen tropical shrub that is grown as a tender perennial in temperate zones. They prefer a full sun location and moist, well-drained soil. Lantana are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other useful pollinators, however they are poisonous if ingested by humans and other animals.

Other popular plants with red flowers or berries include:

•  coleus ‘Crimson Velvet’
• Dahlia, options include ‘Bishop of Llandaff’                                                                                               ·
• Penstemon ‘Husker Red’
• Achillea ‘Paprika’·  ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum), such as ‘Chilly Chili’
• maple, includes Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’, A. japonicum and A. ginnala ‘Flame’
• heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)
• holly, includes Ilex opaca, I. cornuta, I. verticillata and I. decidua

True blue

Plumbago ‘auriculata’

Though blue is a bit challenging to get in the natural world, here are some plants that could work for Kentucky fans.

• Plumbago auriculata is an evergreen shrub that grows from three to ten feet and can be trained as a vine. The flowers are a soft, powder blue and are borne throughout the summer in phlox-like clusters. Plumbago will thrive in full sun or partial shade and does best in light, slightly acidic soils.
• blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) The intensity of blue found in this lobelia is unparalleled. They are easily grown in rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Lobelia is a most desirable plant for woodland gardens especially since it blooms bright blue in late summer.
• Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’
• Ageratum sp.

“Orange” you gonna use this color?

Zinna ‘profusion fire’

From Texas burnt orange to Tennessee bright orange, these plants serve up a version or two of this hue:

• zinnia ‘Profusion Orange’, ‘Profusion Fire’ and ‘Profusion Apricot’ Zinnias are extremely popular annuals due to their ability to bloom over a long period, their endurance and vibrant colors.  They are of the easiest possible culture and will thrive under widely varying conditions.  Although they thrive best in full sun, they will also endure partial shade.
• coleus, options include ‘Rustic Orange’ While coleus comes in a wide variety of colors, the rustic orange is my favorite.  With its dark orange foliage and yellow and green margins, these new, bigger sun loving varieties have revolutionized container gardening.  Coleus plants are durable and easy to grow however they are tender annuals.  Frost will cause them to die immediately but can be moved inside and used as house plants.
• (Tithonia)
• Echinacea Mango Meadowbrite’
• lantana, options include ‘Miss Huff’ and ‘Spreading Sunset

Thank you,  hgtv.com, for a great idea!!!!

Interested in building your dream home?

Renovating your current home?

Ron and Martha Wolford are the leaders in luxury home construction in Louisville, Kentucky.

Visit our website!

http://www.wolfordbuilthomes.com