And being planted by me! I’m finally feeling like the exterior of the house is reflecting me. Although the previous owner planted some great hydrangeas, fruit and ornamental trees, shrub and flowers, the gardens here have felt rather impersonal. With the white picket fencing we did the first September and the bluestone stairs with their stone walls off the deck last fall, I was feeling like we had left a marker that we were claiming the house as ours.

But this planting I’m doing this last week? It makes me feel that I’m yanking the house away from very nice builder’s spec colonial into the more coastal home I long for. The Hydrangeas deserve a lot of the credit.

I’m about to begin the same treatment off the deck. I planted one but it’s not enough. But I still love how it looks.

I still owe you the lavender hedge border. Tomorrow! Meantime, it was a good day. Got tons done and after a week of wildfire smog, it is truly beautiful out.