ardeningbliss

Vintage finds and classic cottage charm combinein this romantic outdoor space. Take a look at anexpert gardener’s lush retreat and learn aboutwhat to plant in your own.

B Y S T E P H A N I E B A K E RP H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M A R K M E N D E Z

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DON’T RUSH YOURGARDEN; LET NATUREDO ITS WORK. ONCEYOU HAVE AN IDEA OFWHAT YOU WANTYOUR GARDEN TOLOOK LIKE, FIRST PLANTYOUR FOUNDATIONPIECES (TREES, PERMA-NENT SHRUBS, ETC.);THEN ADD THE PLANTSAND FLOWERS THATGROW SEASONALLY.

PLANT POWER. Sometimes the flow-ers you plant determine how you dec-orate around them. After plantingthese tall pink flowers and the abun-dance of flowers in the window box,Jeri decided to paint the window trimraspberry pink to match.

OPPOSITE | FLIGHTS OF FANCY. Thepink ribbons hanging from the irongazebo are left over from Jeri’sdaughter’s wedding—they fit so wellthat she decided to leave them. Thegazebo was a perfect place to fit anantique table and chairs and deco-

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MAYBE YOU DON’T HAVE A GREEN THUMBand you tend to kill every plant you touch. Or youlove how gardens look and smell, but the idea ofstarting your own is intimidating. Starting from adécor angle might be just the right perspective. Self-taught gardener Jeri Cunningham has always

loved a mix of vintage treasures and cottage charm.Her historic bungalow in Orange, California, is filledwith family heirlooms, nostalgic mementos andantiques from the area’s famed antiques malls. Shetook the same approach with her garden, filling itwith unique vintage finds and repurposing olditems in new ways to give her garden that same cre-ative flea-market charm as her home’s interior. Hereshe shares her garden with us, along with some tipsfor becoming an expert gardener.

LIGHT RIGHT. This Japanese foxglove flower onlyneeds partial sun to thrive; it grows well in theshade. Before planting your flowers, make sure youknow the amount of sunlight they need and how theyinteract with other plants.

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A DAYDREAM SPOT. Jeri’s sister gaveher this baby crib, and Jeri knew itwould look perfect under her 100-year-old avocado tree. She had themattress made and fitted with adaybed cover of vintage fabric.Adorned with pillows, the crib-turned-bench is a perfect place to sit andadmire the view.

TREAT THE GARDEN AS AN EXTEN-SION OF YOUR HOME. Jeri’s garden begins on her porch, right

when you step out the front door. Herdecorating personality flows out the doorand windows and helps create her garden.Plants in antique urns and vintage potsare everywhere, and metal chairs becomedisplay spaces for plants that trail andflow. Pick flowers that go with your furni-ture or that mean something special toyou—they could even be an extension ofthe theme on the inside of your home.

DESIGNATE DIFFERENT AREAS OFTHE GARDEN FOR PARTICULARACTIVITIES.

Jeri’s garden has the front porch forwelcoming guests; the comfy benches forrelaxing, napping or reading a good book;and the gazebo for entertaining. Even intiny gardens, distinctive furniture andaccents come together to create distinc-tive zones. For each section, choose plantsthat fit a different theme. You could havea reading area, an eating area, a sleepingarea or even a play area for children.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SOIL. When starting your garden, it’s easy to

get swept up in all the different plantsyou want to grow, but in reality, the soildecides if your plants will live or die. Jerisays, “It’s better to put a dollar plant in afive-dollar hole than a five-dollar plant ina dollar hole.” Take the time to make sureyour soil is healthy and will help yourplants grow. It’s important to know theplants you’re planting as well. Beforeplanting, make sure you know how theyinteract with other plants and how muchwater, sunlight and food they might need.

START SMALL. “Start one flower bed at a time,” Jeri

says. Don’t rush your garden; let nature doits work. Once you have an idea of whatyou want your garden to look like, plantyour foundation pieces (trees, permanentshrubs, etc.) first; then add the plants andflowers that grow seasonally. Don’t beafraid to ask for help if you’re having diffi-culty planting some items; it’s better totake the time to plant it right than have todig it up later.

PATTERN PLAY. One ofJeri’s favorite flowers isQueen Anne’s lace, alsocalled bishop’s lace or

bird’s nest. Jeri suggestspicking three or four of

your favorite flowers andusing them over and over

in your garden.

Gardens Made Simple

Start one flower bed at a time.

Make sure your soil is healthy and will help your plants grow.

Stick with a few flowers that you love, and just repeat them.

JERI SHARES HER 3 TOP TIPS:

1.2.3.

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CUSTOM DÉCOR. Jeri had this cushionmade from vintage fabric, but she createdthe pillow herself from old curtain panels.Both make the iron bench a comfy place to

sit in the sunshine and read a book.

VINTAGE IN THE GARDEN. The green pitcher and pink glasses were madefrom vintage Depression-era glass, and the silverware is the Daffodil styleby Rogers Bros. from the 1950s. Jeri crocheted the glass holder to useinstead of coasters. Even when she’s not entertaining guests, she enjoysmany meals at this little table. Adding a table with your own unique touch-es in your garden gives you a chance to enjoy the fragrance and view on a