Paula’s Front Garden in Ottawa

We’re visiting Paula Brown’s beautiful garden today.

My garden, in Ottawa, Ontario, is under a lot of snow right now, so I decided to talk about the creative wreaths that tie my garden together with color through each season. When my garden is waking in the spring, I am busily planning my color chart as to what annuals I will plant alongside my perennials. This dictates how I will build my wreath and what hues I will incorporate in it. I use as many natural products as I can, but as the wreath can be on my front door for months of southern exposure, I am limited in my use of living plants. I have been doing this since 2000, and each year seems to “grow” bigger, as it seems my creativity knows no bounds.

The front garden in June is full of flowers, with all the colors echoed in the wreath on the front door.

The rose is glorious in full boom in June.

The garden in late September is still full of flowers and color, though the rose is finished.

The garden at Christmas time, covered in snow, still has some color from the wreath on the front door.

I create a hanger each winter from gathered twigs, berries, conifer tips, and water that I allow to freeze. This hanger was inspired by music notes.

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

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