Recently, Ann Elias’s garden was included in a Community Garden Walk Menasha, Wisconsin and we’re going behind the scenes to see the preparations she made for the event.
Hosting a Garden Walk
Two years ago, Ann and her husband built a garden cottage she calls the Lady Lounge. It’s the main focal point of her entire garden. Now we’ll see some of the smaller projects she dreamed up to add convenience and dazzle to her garden. See if you can guess her favorite color.
Welcome! Ann’s Garden Walk was July 12
Ann says” The fence we received from our friend Cindy was enough to fence in the whole yard. Now Rufus will be safe. I added the planters I made using two old chairs and a wash tubs. The lettering on the front…says..Welcome Friends. I think it’s ready for the Garden Walk.”
Ann Elias’s aqua dream room, which started it all
Ann Elias ‘s garden in front of her cottage
A small lawn and path provide an anchor for Ann’s flower beds and garden structures.
Glass butterfly
Galvanized and aqua stripes
One theme running through the garden is Ann’s galvanized tubs, all painted with aqua strips and lettering. She put ‘feet’ on some for in front of her garden cottage and more mounted on furniture legs.
Tubs turn planters with added legs
Ann says” I used a pair of end tables for these. I also made a pair using chair legs.. I just cut the back part off.”
Two galvanized tubs, painted and mounted
Tubs planted and placed by path. Notice the aqua painted mirrors on the fence!
The tubs placed either side of the door of the Lounge
“The plants are filling in so well that they cover the tubs and you can’t even see the washtub…or the words I painted on the side of it.”
Sparkle in the trees
Ann says, “I added some bling to my tree with Christmas ornaments. When the sun hits these…can you say sparkle? Stock up on them after Christmas…that is what I did.”
New glass bird bath
Mop bucket planter
Ann says, “Planted up my mop bucket. I hope I can find more like this. Makes a great patio planter…wheels and all.”
Layered glass birdbath..gorgeous!
Ann says, “What’s blooming today! We had a nice rain last night…and it’s cloudy still…great day to capture my new birdbath with the newly opened lilies.”
Ladder planter, before and after…and more aqua striped buckets
Ann says, “I added some stripes and numbers to my pails on the ladder. Also added a watering can with some crystals attached to it. I should have added a stripe to the watering can ….and added H20 to the side of it….oh well…maybe next year!”
Ginger
Ann assembled this garden lady from a mini ringer washer and galvanized and terracotta pots. She says, “Introducing Ginger….and I am thinking she needs a red hat and some purple beads, because she looks ready for a Red Hat Society meeting. I know she is a little scary..but she is a scarecrow after all”
Goodwill arbor
Ann says, “Mike got the arbor we got at Goodwill, painted white and placed in entrance of the vegetable garden. The garden is almost ready!!
My new hose guides
Ann says, “My new hose guides hubby made from conduit and some insulators. We have them in all the flowers beds. It should give some interest in winter…oh, did I just say that word? They’re just set on top of the pipes. I may stick a piece of bubble wrap inside if they move.”
Lamps modified for the Lady Lounge
Blue, I mean aqua, wagon vignette
Ann says, “This red scale and a gray cat were found at a thrift store the other day…both add the finishing touches to my wagon. All ready for the 4th of July!”
Ann says the garden is ready!
Now you have taken the garden ‘walk!’ We hope you enjoyed it and will take some ideas with you…
More from Ann Elias:
Upcycling old windows and doors to make a garden dream come true!
A peek inside Ann’s Lady’s Lounge
How to make a bench and planter from old bed frames
