Simply Beautiful: Plants that Begin to Thrive after the Summer Season

This one came from a yard sale and had sat outside for a very long time! If you are looking for a new bench with style, I think Wayfair and Ballard Design have stylish ones at good prices; for a higher quality bench, Kingsley Bate has a range of styles in really good teak.

Now that was a very poetic way of looking at that space. Thank you --this made my day.

Do you mean the blooms of the ornamental grass on the right? That's Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass (https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1915/little-bunny-dwarf-fountain-grass/) That's pretty low light conditions which are not the best for the plants in this picture. Plants like Himalayan Sweet Box, ferns, skimmia, some daphnes, rhododendrons, and even a few hydrangeas (Plum Passion Hydrangea Hydrangea aspera) would be better there.

Hi Eleanor--you can grow all of these plants in your zone. You'll need to give the hydrangeas some afternoon shade, but otherwise, all of these are hardy and fuss free.

I could sit there for hours. It looks out on the ocean!

I lived in SoCal for many years and never quite got used to September and often October being the hottest months. Keep cool!

I have #gardenenvy for this one. Such simple planting but with such impactful plants--I know this is one I plan to steal.

Indeed. What's nice about this grouping is that they can do fine on the very outer edges of a shadier space. I also have #gardenenvy over this one.

That just makes me so happy to hear. Thank you for subscribing and for part of our community.

Hi Joan--that bench gives me a serious case of #gardenenvy! Thank you for the lovely comment.

Congratulations! Lucky you to be starting a new garden. If you have questions, feel free to come back. We're here to help.

It is so peaceful. Serenity is a great word for it.

It is beautiful but you know I think even an arrangement of pots filled with grasses and shrubs would have the same relaxed, casual vibe.

Hi Maxine--I love it too! It is a vintage piece and would hard to find one that's identical. However, if you are looking for a new bench with style, I think Wayfair and Ballard Design have stylish ones at good prices;for a higher quality bench, Kingsley Bate has a range of styles in really good teak.

Replying to myself... if you hover over the picture selected plants pop up. Very cool. This is maiden grass.

Hi Jacquie--Your best course of action is either to move them to a sheltered location (which can be a garage or shed or even a spot that's protected from wind like the house eaves) or sink them into a hole you dig in the ground and then top with mulch or chopped up leaves. You really just want to place them in a spot where you can avoid big freeze and thaw cycles. Does this help?