I’ve been potting and planting around the Potting Shed!
A ladder came home with me from a favorite antique mall, already painted green and shockingly close in color to the trim of my shed.
{ insert Twilight Zone music here }
Someone along the way had added boards to the steps for extra shelf space, ideal for pots or a watering can. I sprayed the ladder with several coats of sealer for some protection from the elements and proceeded to plant it!
I attached a bird house for nesting, added a bee skep, a coco-lined basket filled with geraniums.
I have plans to use it as a trellis for a blooming vine to grow and climb the rails.
I found a flower pouch (Al’s Original) already planted with trailing petunias at Lowe’s. . .
I hung it on a wreath hanger on the door and added a blooming transferware plate, easy to remove for watering.
A thrifted silverplate teapot is serving and pouring succulents, instead of Earl Grey :) You can see it used as a bird feeder here.
And I added a companion silverplate creamer on a copper stake and filled it with seed for our feathered friends . . . maybe they’ll plant a sunflower or two for me :)
I planted a bunny in the pot to keep dusty miller, geraniums, verbena and sweet alyssum, company.
And a mosaic planter is filled with more succulents and a blooming iron gate fragment.
I’ve become enamored by Angelonia or summer snapdragons. They come in a variety of colors. If you’re not familiar with them, you can read about them here.
Persian shield plant, geranium, coleus, sage, creeping Jenny, and verbena are sitting pretty in vintage lawn chair.
And I added a broken teacup to a pot for some planter interest to fill in the holes.
Sun Parasol Mandevilla has room to grow on a trellis in a pot along with some Helichrysum (licorice plant) to spill over the sides and Calibrachoa (million bells).
All the flowers are very pretty and very welcoming Mary! The new ladder looks great and the color is perfect. I’m also lovin’ your little spruce tree-so cute:@)
Mary, your posts are my eye candy for the day. You do a wonderful job of putting everything together. Now the search is on for a ladder to add to my garden. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
Mary, your plantings look fabulous, and I noticed the wider shelves on the ladder right away – perfect! I also love angelonia, and use it in my summer annuals for a red, white & blue (along with geraniums & white vinca), but I’m crushing on your pink, blue & white container of geraniums, alyssum, dusty miller & verbena! Have a reat holiday weekend – you’re ready for company!
Rita
Love a good garden visit in the morning! The field of dreams sets off the most gorgeous profile of color and texture. I smiled at your Mandeville, Scott took a chainsaw to mine this weekend, it’s a garden thug! It’s adorable watching you dress your ladder, so fun to watch your shed grow step by step :-)
The ladder was definitely waiting for you to take it home!….All I can say about your new area of gorgeous flowers so creatively arranged around the ladder is breathtaking!!…you are definitely the stylist for mother nature!….will have to look into those summer snapdragons as they are so lovely….and would love to know if you would share your favorite antique mall!….Have a great day Mary!
Mary, your talents are endless and I so enjoy them. Your color combos are very eye catching and I love how you use old kitchen items in all you do, you are truly blessed. Thank you so much for your posts.
Love your new ladder….I have been on the hunt for one! I have a “new” shed and have been piddling around outside planting and placing my finds and treausres. Inside is coming along, but still lots to do!! Your potting shed posts always give me inspiration and new ideas! I could perch on your porch and sit for hours!!!
Mary, your flowers are just beautiful and I love the way you have created such a whimsical look in front of your potting shed!! Oh my goodness, every detail is just so stinking cute!!! Love it all!
Nancy
What a perfect addition the ladder is, Mary, to your potting shed! I love seeing all the garden whimsy you creatively intersperse!!! What fun it is to to get inspiration from you…teapots, bunnies, dishes, bee skeps…gardening love!
When I saw the first picture I thought for SURE that you had painted the ladder with the same paint as your shed!!!!!!! That was serendipity to find that! Now I want to plant a ladder on my patio!!! I am now going to look around the house to see what else I can plant too! Those summer snapdragons are beautiful, have to find some. I THOUGHT I was done planting, til I saw this! You are the BEST!!!!
What a treat for the eyes and my soul! Your photos are so beautiful, so much to take in. I love each and every detail, all the colors, the unique planters and plants. The ladder was waiting for you! When I grow up I want a potting shed :)
that ladder was the perfect find! love the color and all your many plants and containers. especially the bunny in the container with the pink hydrangeas! Have a fun weekend!
As someone said earlier, eye candy!!! To me your photos are a ray of sunshine in our dreary, chilly day today :(
I love it that your pictures are large – I can kind of get lost in them (weird, huh?) Thank you so much.
Mary: Your use of color and texture in your plantings is extraordinary! I live in Arizona so can’t keep flower pots like yours. But I so enjoy the pictures!
Mary, the ladder is great and I love all the wonderful pretty plants that you have on it. I have a couple ladders in my gardens and you have given me some great ideas.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.
Mary
Hi Mary, I’ve been staring at your post several times today, going back to each photo to study your pots and design and your wonderful new ladder! It was definitely meant to live at your potting shed! I love the plant stand holding the pot of angelonia. And you are really tempting me to use my mother’s old silver tea set for some plants. I just can’t quite do it yet, but every time I see yours being used in your garden I say to myself that today I will take the plunge! Every post of yours is so full of inspiration. It’s finally planting time here for annuals so thank you for all the ideas! Linda
It couldn’t be cuter Mary! What a great addition to your potting shed area, and more places to plant, play and display! I love the eclectic mix of pots, blooms and quirky goodies…that silver plate teapot unfortunately resembles the one in my china cabinet that hasn’t seen silver polish in years 😱 I can’t believe the ladder was already painted that adorable apple green!! Fate for sure, it was meant to be yours!
Jenna
I just love everything that you do! That green ladder is gorgeous and you really dolled it up with all of your beautiful flowers, plants, and creative containers!
Mary,
finding that “ladder” was true serendipity! You have such a great eye for merchandising disparate objects; I look forward to all your creative ideas and posts. Thank you for putting a smile on my face and helping me see new alternatives fresh from your imagination!
Such pretty color on your garden shed porch. I’m envious!
I’ve used Angelonia and Persian Sheld in my garden for years. Some of my favorites! I’ve actually had both freeze back and return the following spring. ;-)
The talent you have, Mary! I want the garden shed and and the ladder is perfect. Your flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for all the fantastic ideas and for sharing!
As always, shed envy! Now ladder envy! What a lovely spot. That photo looking back across the grassy spot is so gorgeous. Your colors are so pretty and I adore the silver pitchers. What a fun idea. I would love to be a fly on the wall for a day or a week as you pull these lovelies together! Pure talent!!
This is a very lovely and very charming decoration! And funny enough I have the same silver teapot also for flowers … :)! Happy days and a wonderful time
Elisabeth
You are a creative soul! Love each and every detail. I’m a big flower garden enthusiast and I love seeing this kind of creativity. I’m also noting the blue spruce setting there! Do they grow well in your region? We have a pair that flank our driveway and they are absolutely huge now. The silver teapot on the copper pipe is adorable. I have a china bowl I did the same thing with but the chipmunks wouldn’t leave it alone so the birds wouldn’t use it. We sold a wooden ladder at a garage sale a few years ago and since then I’ve seen creative uses like this and wished I had kept it! Oh well…live and learn!
Your pictures are so inviting. I have an old ladder that I have wanted to paint! My pot colors that I use are red/black, and a hint of yellow. I don’t know what color to go with on the ladder. Your blog is so wonderful and I enjoy reading it all the time.
Finding the green ladder was a stroke of luck–and not just any color green, but the perfect shade. It looks beautiful and perfectly at home. Your potted flowers are lush and joyful, as if they are celebrating!
All the flowers are very pretty and very welcoming Mary! The new ladder looks great and the color is perfect. I’m also lovin’ your little spruce tree-so cute:@)
Mary, your posts are my eye candy for the day. You do a wonderful job of putting everything together. Now the search is on for a ladder to add to my garden. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
Mary, your plantings look fabulous, and I noticed the wider shelves on the ladder right away – perfect! I also love angelonia, and use it in my summer annuals for a red, white & blue (along with geraniums & white vinca), but I’m crushing on your pink, blue & white container of geraniums, alyssum, dusty miller & verbena! Have a reat holiday weekend – you’re ready for company!
Rita
Love a good garden visit in the morning! The field of dreams sets off the most gorgeous profile of color and texture. I smiled at your Mandeville, Scott took a chainsaw to mine this weekend, it’s a garden thug! It’s adorable watching you dress your ladder, so fun to watch your shed grow step by step :-)
You live in a tropical paradise! Mandevilla is an annual here so no chainsaw required :)
The ladder was definitely waiting for you to take it home!….All I can say about your new area of gorgeous flowers so creatively arranged around the ladder is breathtaking!!…you are definitely the stylist for mother nature!….will have to look into those summer snapdragons as they are so lovely….and would love to know if you would share your favorite antique mall!….Have a great day Mary!
Wow, it’s all so pretty! Love all the combinations you’ve used and that ladder! Perfect! Do you have drain holes in your silver teapot?
Mary, your talents are endless and I so enjoy them. Your color combos are very eye catching and I love how you use old kitchen items in all you do, you are truly blessed. Thank you so much for your posts.
Love your new ladder….I have been on the hunt for one! I have a “new” shed and have been piddling around outside planting and placing my finds and treausres. Inside is coming along, but still lots to do!! Your potting shed posts always give me inspiration and new ideas! I could perch on your porch and sit for hours!!!
Great ideas!! Beautiful flowers!! Thanks for sharing!!!😍🌺🌾🐞
Mary, your flowers are just beautiful and I love the way you have created such a whimsical look in front of your potting shed!! Oh my goodness, every detail is just so stinking cute!!! Love it all!
Nancy
LOL, you have garden Karma, love the ladder idea, it is all so beautiful, thank you for sharing.
What a perfect addition the ladder is, Mary, to your potting shed! I love seeing all the garden whimsy you creatively intersperse!!! What fun it is to to get inspiration from you…teapots, bunnies, dishes, bee skeps…gardening love!
When I saw the first picture I thought for SURE that you had painted the ladder with the same paint as your shed!!!!!!! That was serendipity to find that! Now I want to plant a ladder on my patio!!! I am now going to look around the house to see what else I can plant too! Those summer snapdragons are beautiful, have to find some. I THOUGHT I was done planting, til I saw this! You are the BEST!!!!
Ohhhhh I want a ladder now! How pretty!
So pretty! Flowers make me happy! I want to live in your potting shed!
What a treat for the eyes and my soul! Your photos are so beautiful, so much to take in. I love each and every detail, all the colors, the unique planters and plants. The ladder was waiting for you! When I grow up I want a potting shed :)
that ladder was the perfect find! love the color and all your many plants and containers. especially the bunny in the container with the pink hydrangeas! Have a fun weekend!
I love it, Mary! So lovely! I love the idea of the pouch with the beautiful transferware. Gorgeous, as always!
Oh such beauty in your photos. Love all the color and variety of containers. Thanks for sharing!
As someone said earlier, eye candy!!! To me your photos are a ray of sunshine in our dreary, chilly day today :(
I love it that your pictures are large – I can kind of get lost in them (weird, huh?) Thank you so much.
Mary: Your use of color and texture in your plantings is extraordinary! I live in Arizona so can’t keep flower pots like yours. But I so enjoy the pictures!
Mary, the ladder is great and I love all the wonderful pretty plants that you have on it. I have a couple ladders in my gardens and you have given me some great ideas.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.
Mary
Hi Mary, I’ve been staring at your post several times today, going back to each photo to study your pots and design and your wonderful new ladder! It was definitely meant to live at your potting shed! I love the plant stand holding the pot of angelonia. And you are really tempting me to use my mother’s old silver tea set for some plants. I just can’t quite do it yet, but every time I see yours being used in your garden I say to myself that today I will take the plunge! Every post of yours is so full of inspiration. It’s finally planting time here for annuals so thank you for all the ideas! Linda
Local nurseries should use your potting shed photos in their advertising…
Love, love LOVE the ladder and whoever had the great idea of adding shelving to the steps was a genius!
Really beautiful, you have really good taste, you make my day happy watching those flowers, thank you very much.
Ladder perfection, Mary!
It couldn’t be cuter Mary! What a great addition to your potting shed area, and more places to plant, play and display! I love the eclectic mix of pots, blooms and quirky goodies…that silver plate teapot unfortunately resembles the one in my china cabinet that hasn’t seen silver polish in years 😱 I can’t believe the ladder was already painted that adorable apple green!! Fate for sure, it was meant to be yours!
Jenna
I just love everything that you do! That green ladder is gorgeous and you really dolled it up with all of your beautiful flowers, plants, and creative containers!
Mary,
finding that “ladder” was true serendipity! You have such a great eye for merchandising disparate objects; I look forward to all your creative ideas and posts. Thank you for putting a smile on my face and helping me see new alternatives fresh from your imagination!
Such pretty color on your garden shed porch. I’m envious!
I’ve used Angelonia and Persian Sheld in my garden for years. Some of my favorites! I’ve actually had both freeze back and return the following spring. ;-)
STUNNING photos and beautiful flowers!!
Awesome post Mary!! I love everything, but I am particularly fond of the mosaic planter!! Hugs to Chloe and Gracie!!
The talent you have, Mary! I want the garden shed and and the ladder is perfect. Your flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for all the fantastic ideas and for sharing!
Lovely Ladder at the Lake!!! franki
As always, shed envy! Now ladder envy! What a lovely spot. That photo looking back across the grassy spot is so gorgeous. Your colors are so pretty and I adore the silver pitchers. What a fun idea. I would love to be a fly on the wall for a day or a week as you pull these lovelies together! Pure talent!!
~MarY~
Thank you for sharing, gave me plans on how to use my daddy’s ladder that I have and must be 45 years old.
Paula
IN
This is a very lovely and very charming decoration! And funny enough I have the same silver teapot also for flowers … :)! Happy days and a wonderful time
Elisabeth
You are a creative soul! Love each and every detail. I’m a big flower garden enthusiast and I love seeing this kind of creativity. I’m also noting the blue spruce setting there! Do they grow well in your region? We have a pair that flank our driveway and they are absolutely huge now. The silver teapot on the copper pipe is adorable. I have a china bowl I did the same thing with but the chipmunks wouldn’t leave it alone so the birds wouldn’t use it. We sold a wooden ladder at a garage sale a few years ago and since then I’ve seen creative uses like this and wished I had kept it! Oh well…live and learn!
Everything looks great! Beautiful pictures!
Pam
Your pictures are so inviting. I have an old ladder that I have wanted to paint! My pot colors that I use are red/black, and a hint of yellow. I don’t know what color to go with on the ladder. Your blog is so wonderful and I enjoy reading it all the time.
Finding the green ladder was a stroke of luck–and not just any color green, but the perfect shade. It looks beautiful and perfectly at home. Your potted flowers are lush and joyful, as if they are celebrating!
can I buy your flowered plate? It looks just like what my Mom had!