I’ve been eagerly awaiting my copy of Emma Hardy’s latest book ‘Small Summer Gardens’ published this month – full of beautifully photographed small garden projects and lots of inspiration – I wasn’t disappointed when it landed on my doormat.

There are 35 step by step projects to choose from and I love the way Emma uses an array of recycled containers to give added interest to her displays.  She shares some lovely ideas for planting combinations and her after-care advice helps to ensure that your container goes on looking good throughout the season.

One of the projects I will definitely be having a go at this year is the container water garden – a pond is great for attracting wildlife to your garden but I don’t have the right space for a large pond so this will be a good compromise and will look really pretty too.

If you like bringing nature into your home, there are also some lovely houseplant projects to whet your appetite including ideas for succulents, plants in glass vases and indoor plants in baskets.

Small Summer Gardens is published by CICO books and is available at all good book retailers. If you fancy winning a copy then make sure you follow our instagram feed as we will have 3 copies to giveaway.

Happy Planting!

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It was great to meet lots of lovely couples and their families who were looking for ideas and inspiration for their big day – not hard to find among the wonderful local suppliers that were also involved.  For a full list of suppliers head on over to Hanami Dream Wedding,  the go-to inspirational blog for Cotswold weddings.

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They’re perfect for adding some bright colour and focal points in the garden when there’s not much else going on and look welcoming by gates and doorways.  Don’t forget you can bring spring indoors too – cheer up a room or windowsill with a stunning centrepiece and heavenly scent.

Pretty much anything goes when you’re choosing a container for bulbs so be as creative as you like – here’s a selection of my favourite ideas to give you a little inspiration.

Image via Hwit Blogg

Image via Good Housekeeping

Image via Abigail Ahern

Image via Songbird Blog

Image via Aiken Houes & Gardens

Image via My French Country Home

Find a vintage container for your spring bulbs
at Mabel & Rose

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For more information about hiring vintage props for your special event please email claire@mabelandrose.com or call us on 01993 878861.

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What a gourgeous idea! These wonderful photos were taken by the lovely Jenni at Photojennik.co.uk using a small blue enamel washtub – the babes look like they’re having a great time!

For more ideas for photo props check out our range of Vintage Tin Baths and Vintage Enamelware at Mabel & Rose.  If you have any questions or have something specific in mind then don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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As a kid I used to earn pocket money polishing my mum’s antique copper collection and I’ve had a soft spot for this amazing ancient material ever since.  An important metal and trace element required for both http://medicines4all health and life it’s been used by humans for thousands of years – initially used to make tools and weapons throughout the bronze age, it later became popular in the art world for sculpting and making decorative items. During the industrial revolution demand for copper buy generic synthroid online increased tremendously and it became widely used in the traditional home for things like pots, pans and pipes – think downstairs at Downton Abbey!

Combine with Natural Textures for a Traditional feel

For many years copper has definitely been ‘out of vogue’ but recently it has been enjoying something of a resurgence in the world of interiors and garden design, which isn’t surprising given how versatile it can be – shiny and polished or weather beaten and rustic, copper’s rich tones look great combined with natural textures of stone and wood and it’s perfect for creating a warm traditional feel.

Copper’s sustainability is another attractive feature – it is infinately recyclable and can be used over and over again without losing any of it’s chemical or physical properties.

 A Living Surface

The way copper ages is perhaps it’s most interesting feature, particularly in the garden where it can be exposed to harsh weather conditions which naturally accelerate the ageing process. Left untreated, copper doesn’t corrode, but instead oxidises and builds up it’s own protective layer against the elements – a living surface constantly changing, it’s colour will naturally dull and eventually develop a bluey-green verdigris that gives it a unique character. Copper planters in the garden will last a lifetime, look beautiful and have the added bonus of being hated by slugs – what more could you want?

Image – theenduringgardener.com

Vintage Copper at Mabel & Rose

I love solid, chunky pieces that have a utilitarian feel rather than being highly ornate or decorative – large copper urns and cauldrons make fanastic garden planters and smaller items like copper jam pans, jugs, and buckets are equally at home indoors by the fireside or in a country style kitchen.   Have a look at our ever changing range and find the perfect accent for your home or garden.

Vintage copper at Mabel & Rose

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Handmade polymer clay markers via Wit and Whistle

I just love rustic twig plant markers like these by Braggingbags over on Etsy

Recycled vintage spoons make quirky plant markers – via LazyLighteningArt on Etsy

Paint some stones with blackboard paint and voilà – image via housetohome.co.uk

Terracotta Plant markers via Liveinart.org

Painted Stones via Etsy

Colourful polymer clays markers via Reese Dixon 

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I love decorating with a vintage twist and finding the perfect vintage container is a http://vhealthportal.com good place to start – baskets and crates look great but they’re not watertight so galvanised zinc tubs, tin baths or copper pots might be a better bet.

If you’re buying a pot grown or containerised tree then it’s really easy to put straight into a watertight container and you’re away. With a cut tree, getting it to stand up in a container can be trickier – try large rocks or follow this useful guide to make sure your tree stands up straight.

Images in order of appearance Better Homes & Gardens, DreamyWhites, Miss Mustard Seed, Lantlivinorregrd & Les Tissus Colbert

Find a vintage container for your Christmas tree at Mabel & Rose >>

And if you have specific requirements please give us a call and we’ll do our best to help.

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Thinking about retraining?

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing some horticultural training for a while now, but slightly put off by the thought of writing essays and sitting exams again – I still regularly have anxiety dreams about missing exams and deadlines!  Anyway, while researching different courses I stumbled across the Women’s Farm & Garden Association and their brilliant ‘Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme’ (WRAGS).

Gain Practical Skills

WRAGS is a practical course (yay no exams!) and provides placements for trainees in a working garden near to their home. Over the course of a year, trainees work 15 hours a week as part of a gardening team or with an experienced garden owner and will come away with a wealth of practical gardening skills.  Started in 1993 it was originally aimed at women returning to work after starting a family but the emphasis has now changed and it’s open to anyone who wants to gain some professional training or looking for a career change.

Workshops & Workdays

I love the symbiotic nature of the scheme – they’re always looking for new garden owners to get involved too. And, while I’m still procrastinating about whether to sign up, I have at least made the first step and joined the Women’s Farm & Garden Assocation (WFGA) which gives me access to some excellent workshops, workdays and garden tours.  WFGA is a registered charity founded in 1899 – it was instrumental in forming the Women’s Land Army during the First World War and has done much to promote and support women working on the land over the last century.

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