Sweet Staycation in Suburbia

This is the week that we usually go to Cornwall but we decided to stay at home instead, have a staycation. Both of us felt that we ought to stay this week, to use the time to re-acquaint ourselves to our house and sort a few very minor jobs left to do (they won't go anywhere even if we left, so best get them out of the way soon). And relax in our own turf of course.

Still, the cats get to relax more at home than we do

The changes made in the house were so drastic that both of us are still getting the hang of things even months after everything was finished, as well as enjoying the novelty of the changes (honeymoon stage). Apart from the slight change of layout and total redecoration, we did a major decluterring and updating that made life simpler, calmer, and organised. But a lot of familiarity has disappeared as well, and mostly that's a good thing. It feels like we just moved into a different house altogether, indoors at least.

A few snippets and little previews of our home...

Much like the conservatory the rest of the house is white with colour pop, only much more minimal

Our home is winter proof - bright and light even in the depths of winter

A little homage to our pets

Back to outdoors, one of the jobs I specifically wanted to tackle was the sorting out of the front garden: to clean the drive, remove the ailing plants and change them to more drought and neglect tolerant plants.

The pots are grouped in relation to how the car is usually parked

The front door is blue and most of the decor in the porch is blue, plus we had plenty of blue glazed pots already so sticking with this colour scheme made sense. Initially I wanted to go traditional, buy two very large blue glazed pots and plant them with lollipop clipped bay trees with ivies trailing at the base. Large pots plus tall plants equals instant impact. But we have so many plants already as it is so why not use them? I have a selection of  surplus drought, sun loving, and neglect tolerant plants so might as well use them. Plus they are exotic too which reflects the planting at the back.

Any weeds on crevices have been treated with glyphosate (you need to leave the foliage for it to work)

Sorting out the front was long overdue, we had left it scruffy far too long and must admit found it embarrassing. Apart from the reasons I mentioned on my blog post about it yesterday, the front garden is not really a place conducive to hanging out and spending time which makes it easier to neglect and ignore it altogether. Still, the excuses have to end.

A bit non descript yet and an investment in time but should eventually size up and make more of a presence - Nolina nelsonii

The only one of the original batch of plants here that survived the cull. It had a drastic haircut but I'm hoping it will recover nicely and look good again - Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'

A group of ornamental Alliums for some seasonal display. I can stash the pot away or replace the planting once they go over

We live on a very quiet road in stereotypical suburbia. We have lovely neighbours and we say hi and chat to each other whenever there's a chance but most of the time everyone just keeps to themselves. Knowing how quiet the street can be I had no reservations hanging out there for unusually long periods of time to sort out the potted plants. I was however out at the front long enough to be able to catch up with various neighbours at different times and engage in a little chit chat. Topics of conversation? Very suburban sort of topics too like gardening, cooking, housework, schools, pets, etc.

Nolina parviflora

Eryngium agavifolium Giant Form

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

Nerium oleander

Agave ovatifolia

Agave salmiana var. ferox

Agave montana

Agave parryi var. huachucensis

The advantage of the big pot and lollipop bay option would have been to conceal that drain pipe but hopefully this little one will do that job eventually - Nolina parviflora

The turnover of residents and home ownership on our immediate area is very low so anyone who sells and moves out is guaranteed to be the main topic of conversation. I just found out that our neighbour on the house directly opposite ours is moving out, which was a shame really as she is very, very nice and friendly. And talking to her later on she was unhappy to move out too, but had to due to circumstances. Crossing the street and saying our goodbyes and giving our well wishes to them by their front door, I turned back and it struck me I haven't seen a view of our house from across the street before. With all the cleaning up and sorting the potted plants done, the house look dignified. The next day I crossed the street and took photos.

And reminded myself never ever to neglect the front of the house ever again.

Mark :-)