Thursday, June 21, 2012

Garden Benches

One of the goals I set for myself this year was to not only maintain my flower gardens, but to set time aside to enjoy them.  I know you are probably laughing right now, but there is always so much to do.  It is a task that is easier said than done!  Gardeners often don't take the time to relax and reflect on the beauty in their own gardens.  One way to enjoy the fruits of your gardening labors is benches.  Not only are they practical and provide a focal point which draws you to the space, they are also a pleasant respite from the hot summer sun.

I love the charming element a bench adds to a garden so I have two stone benches to show you today.  This one is placed in my gazebo garden.  The greenery under the bench is thyme by Stepables.  This tough perennial is meant to be stepped on and has a wonderful fragrance.  If you have never tried Stepables you really are missing out.  These plants are perfect for pathways, rock gardens and for under trees.



Another bench greets you as you walk through the arbor.



Now that the backyard is blooming, I am simply awed by the beauty of the landscape and can enjoy it while sitting in my gardens.  There are also the vases of flowers I have brought inside for daily pleasure.  At one time, I wouldn't dream of cutting my flowers from the gardens to bring them indoors and then realized how silly that was.

Do you have a special sitting area? If not, I really hope you will consider adding a bench or chair so you can enjoy a cup of hot or sweet tea in the garden.


This photo was processed using the Florabella Collection, Shadowhouse Creations Painterly Texture and Ruth West's White Smudge Frame.  I would like to wish LeAnne who hosts Flower Art Friday a very Happy Birthday!  These roses are for you my friend  :-) 

Thank you for sharing a little part of your day with me.  I'm linking this week with the following parties:

Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

44 comments:

Vicki Boster said...

Donna your blog is beautiful! It would be such a pleasure to help it to grow-- you deserve a huge following with such gorgeous photos here. Your blog design is absolutely lovely!

Have a great summer--
Vicki

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Your roses are so beautiful. I love the idea of the stepable thyme under the bench. I might have to find some of that. I have a few areas that could use it.

Denise @English Purple Ribbon said...

Hi Donna! It is so nice to visit you! You are right we do need to enjoy our gardens more. To see the beautiful colors of the flowers and not that they need to be deadheaded again! I will follow you! Denise

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow what a beautiful bench donna and those roses are gorgeous.

greetings karin

Melanie said...

Your flowers are so pretty! A garden bench is on my to do list! Love yours!! Thanks for visiting me!!

Anonymous said...

I totally agree about garden benches even though at this point I just have some garden chairs and a swing. Love your blog, and thank you so much for stopping by and visiting mine!!

Rizzi said...

DONNA YOUR GARDENS ARE CHARMING.....SO PRETTY......I LOVE YOUR BENCHES.....A GREAT IDEA....I LOVE SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH IN MY WHITE ROCKING CHAIR, WITH MY CROCHETING AND WATCH ALL THE BIRDS GO BY.....HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
RIZZI

Cynthia said...

Donna, very beautiful and peasceful pictures.

Cynthia

A Creative Grace said...

Gorgeous work Donna, that does look lovely there! :)

Jeanne said...

Your roses are exquisite, and yes it is so important to take the time out to enjoy this beauty!

Janneke said...

What a lovely benches. Do take time to sit on them! Your roses are also gorgeous.
Janneke

LeAnne said...

A lovely set of roses here, and a great goal to have. I wish I'd done more with my garden this year. A seating area would be lovely. I do enjoy my deck, but something more "down to earth" would be a real treat. Thanks for the birthday wishes and sharing your roses with Flower Art Friday

Danavee said...

I love the vintage bottles you have your roses in!!!

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beautiful series this is, Donna!
Such beautiful softness and tones in each one.

Misti @ Living On Cypress Hill said...

Your photos were very pretty and your garden looks beautiful! I wish I had a garden!! Lucky you!

LindyLouMac said...

I am calling by today from Flower Art Friday as a first time participant in this great meme, beautiful rose compositions.

Carol said...

The roses are beautiful. I understand what you mean about taking time to just enjoy the garden. I tend to get caught up in the work of it but I too am trying to just relax and enjoy it more. Have a great weekend! Carol

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

How beautiful your garden is, Donna, and your photographs are works of art (unlike mine!) I agree with you--you do have to make time to sit and enjoy the garden, and it can be hard if you are the one who maintains the garden space. Glad that you have some perfect spots to sit and enjoy the fabulous views! Have a lovely weekend.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous stunning images! I wish you a beautiful summer weekend with high degrees of temperature. Julie

vincibene said...

Great series! Wonderful pictures!

sharonssunlitmemories said...

Your roses are beautiful and the bench looks so inviting. I also have a special spot where I like to sit in the garden (with a cup of tea) - usually I take something with me to read but most of the time I end up just looking at the plants and birds and trees!

Rosemary said...

Lovely benches and roses

Tina´s PicStory said...

really lovely flowers and all is so beautiful :)

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Wonderful impressions from your garden and beautiful photos. Your header is amazing !

KER said...

i would love to take a rest in your gardens...just a few moments of sights and smells sitting on one...or both...of those benches would be so reviving

Pieni Lintu said...

Beautiful - I love that last one!

Andrea Dawn said...

Love your blog design and your submission to Flower Art Friday is so pretty. I have been taking time to just sit and enjoy the garden and the birdsong and the sunshine. So important as you have graciously reminded us here in your post.

Stephanie said...

It does take a lot of work to have a beautiful garden. I wish someone would do the work for me! Your garden photos are lovely.

Zena said...

Wonderful photos

Eden said...

I love the garden benches. Beautiful photos.

Mona's Picturesque said...

Oh Donna, beautiful images. I especially love the last one!!! I spent a long time finding the right word and for me it must be elegancy! ♥ Great job!

Micupoftea said...

Pretty garden, Donna, gorgeous roses! Have a great weekend~
Shawn

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Donna,

Your garden is beautiful. I love the benches and also the arbor. Beautiful flowers too!

Dee

Mary Gene Atwood said...

All I can say is WOWZERS to your garden. Incredible! Lovely pink roses you submitted for Leanne.

Laura said...

so lovely!

Jennipher said...

This looks so romantic. Would be a great venue for a wedding!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Donna,
Your garden is so lovely and your roses are beautiful! I love creating little seating areas throughout the garden also. Although I usually sit under the pergola. It is in the center of the garden and the best spot to take it all in. So happy that you are taking time to 'smell the roses'. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
Hugs,
Jann

Carrie Sampsel said...

I know what you mean...there is always something that has to be done. I fight weeds!! lol I notice you never have any. What do you do Donna?? Anyway, everything looks just beautiful!! The roses are breathtaking as well.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely photos and a great post!

Thank you for participating in Floral Friday Fotos!

Tootsie said...

I am just so happy to see that you have linked in this week...and to have the chance to visit here today!! I thank you so much for linking in and sharing your post with my party today!
I have shared your post this week with the Tootsie Time Facebook page.
Have a wonderful week...what is left of it! lol
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Donna,
What a beautiful garden you have and I adore the bench and the arbor!!

Hugs,
Deb

Terry said...

You have a gorgeous garden and flowers. I don't think I'd ever want to go inside! Beautiful photos.

Zoya said...

Lovely pics! Place looks amazing.
Green Worx

Mary Sandra said...

Very Poetic garden bench