Bohemian Patio Hangout

First let me say that I hope everyone is staying safe through this severe fire season.
We are fortunate, at the moment our city is not being evacuated. On the day I am writing this post, the smoke is heavy, but I feel like that is a good thing. The wind has died down a bit and we had a tiny sprinkle of rain.  Hopefully helping to get a little control over the fires. Not that they are reading this but...THANK YOU to all those fire fighters!!!They are all so very brave.
   

With all the fires all around British Columbia, we are encouraged to stay indoors.  I have stayed inside, for the most part.  Except for this morning.  Our patio was covered in dried flower petals and cob webs. Not very welcoming.  I just couldn't leave it any longer.

I gave the whole patio a good sweep, and washed down the tables. Some of my flower pots were
not fitting in to the colour scheme. They went to the front entrance where their pinkish-purple flowers work beautifully.

As I fluffed the pillows I did a little re-arranging and editing.

Through the summer I find my plants start to struggle a bit. Leggy and tired, they
get a little trim and a gentle wash. If they are in a smaller pot I put them in the kitchen sink for a lukewarm soak. They seem to enjoy the tlc.

Our patio is filled with my collection of flower pots and baskets.  It's hard to resist all the lovely
new pots available each spring.  So I don't. My collection has grown to be an eclectic assortment of shapes and sizes filled with an assortment of random plants. Tucking some of them into the garden adds permanent colour to a foliage heavy garden. Smaller pots can be stacked on top of and inside larger pots for a easy cottage look. On the patio, they soften the line between home and garden.

I used to be very strict with my use of colour, or lack there of, but I seem to have a problem with blues and purples...LOVE! With my tastes changing, and my collection growing, it works well with the bohemian style I've been admiring lately.

This is the best view of the garden from the patio. There is a bird feeder hanging on a branch in the

tree to the left, and the waterfall straight ahead, so you get to observe them eating and bathing. This 

is my kind of reality TV.

Succulents and Coleus can sit side by side because of the crazy sun patterns back here.  It's been tricky trying to figure out the right plants for this spot. It goes from heavy shade and quite cool to intense afternoon sun with extreme heat. This succulent planter seems to be managing beautifully.

But that's Costco for you...(#costco) ....no, I'm not being endorsed!

If you are wondering what all the ribbons are about...I am trying to bend and shape my trees

around the patio. The ribbons aren't on the branches long enough to leave any marks or wounds. The ribbon gets wrapped along a branch and then tided up or down to the railing.  Slowly, it seems my crazy plan is working.  In a young garden, wanting a slight overgrown jungle look, craving character and charm, I'll try anything.

Many years ago I made slip covers from painters cloth.  When ever needed, I remove them and throw them in the wash.  They are very low maintenance and they still look pretty fresh!

(Click on the picture to see the difference slipcovers can make!)

Hope you enjoyed the tour,now it's time for a cool drink out here.
Enjoy!

Links
Share your style
Share your cup
Moonlight and Mason Jars
Savvy Southern Style/wow us wednesday
My Repurposed Life/talk of the town
A Stroll Thru Life/inspire me tuesday
Dwellings/Amaze me monday
The Scoop
The Modest Mom
Happiness is Homemade
Dishing it and Digging it
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
A Crafty Mix/sweet inspiration
Chic on a Shoestring/flaunt it friday