Friday, June 1, 2012

Favorite on the First: SHARE YOUR GARDEN!



Welcome to our gardens 
on the first of June!

We are having 
a very unusual spring  
here in the Chicago area.
It has been unseasonably warm
 with a less than usual 
amount of rain.  





Many things have bloomed early this year
and many things have yet to bloom.
It's June first after all
and we have three more 
months of summer.
So excited!




Knock-out roses along the sitting wall.



Maiden pink dianthus sits along a small stone wall near the grilling area.


There is a new solar fountain/birdbath on the patio this year.






The patio is not quite set up yet 
 so I will snap some more photos
of that area in a week or so.

So show us what you've got!

  









We are dying to see 
how your gardens are coming
along this spring!








Also link up to the
Garden Linky Party at Jenn Rizzo's 
Link here: 
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2012/06/garden-tour-linky-party.html


NOTE:
Please link up below
but use the second link
button at the bottom which
will include the thumbnail photo!


Hallie got a summer haircut. She looks like a lab now instead of a golden!





40 comments:

Sarah said...

Alison, everything looks lush and green in your garden and that pink geranium full of blooms is gorgeous. I love geraniums! They remind me of my childhood. Knockout roses are abundant in our front garden that gets lots of sun. They seem to be nonstop bloomers here. We enjoy their beauty year round.
Your new solar fountain will likely be the favorite bathing spot for the birds in your garden. How nice it will be to have this as a focal point. I'm sure you and your family will spend lots of leisure time out in this beautiful garden in the coming months.
Thank you for sharing the outdoor beauty at The Polohouse and for hosting Favorites on the 1st each month. It's going to be a treat to visit gardens across Blogville. Enjoy your weekend! ~ Sarah

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Your gardens look great Alison! We are just starting here so I am sharing a new project I just did for the garden!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Alison, everything looks so beautiful in your garden. Love your new birdbath/fountain. We have found the same thing here in UT. Things are blooming much earlier this year. Last weekend we received a lot of muuch needed rain. Thanks so much for this fun party. Happy Gardening!
Hugs,
Jann

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

You know how much I just love your gardens...So beautiful and impeccably created...So many gorgeous flowers and vignettes to enjoy. I am in awe, as always!

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hi All!
Having some technical difficulties with the thumbnails showing up.
I think I just alleviated the issues but it could take a few moments for it to reset!
Come back in a while and I am hoping you will see the photos for the party links!

This blogging thing has its challenges!

Thanks so much for linking up.
xoxox
Alison

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I am trying to link up. It is a post from April when everything was blooming. Hope that is OK!!!! Your gardens are beautiful. XO, Pinky

Babs said...

Alison, Your seating wall is just perfect with the boxwoods and ivy. Love the hot pink colors with all the evergreens and your black and white patio furniture. Solar bird bath?? OMG! I'm putting that on my shopping list.
Thanks so much for hosting another great party. I'm popping over to Jennifer's, too.
Hugs,
Babs

Clara said...

Hi Alison!
Your garden is just beautiful and I've enjoyed your lovely post. thank you for sharing and hosting The Garden Party.
~Clara

Unknown said...

Your gardens are stunning! So very beautiufl! I'm now a follower~

andrea@townandprairie said...

Alison, your pinks are looking lovely! I've linked up our veggie garden for today. I'll stip by later tonight to check out the other posts. Thank you for hosting this garden party!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I just love your beautiful gardens. Thanks for hosting.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, everything looks amazzzing!! I adore the black and white pillows.. still drooling over those. Your grounds are breathtaking. Thanks so much for the invite.. I've linked up.. looking forward to seeing some beauty. hugs ~lynne~

Rachel Rose Mercantile said...

Alison,thank you so much for your kind words and support of Julia's "crafty" adventure.We would of loved to have you visit her booth :)

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Alison,

What a lovely garden party. Thank you very much for hosting and for inviting me to join. So much inspiration here! Your gadens are superb. I adore your bird bath and black and white fabrics. Gorgeous!

Warmly, ~Melissa :-)

NanaDiana said...

Alison- You have such beautiful gardens and the links will be amazing to visit. I hope you have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

Paula@SweetPea said...

What lovely outdoor spaces you have! I'll bet that you spend as much time as possible outside in your pretty sitting areas. Thanks for hosting the party!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your gardens are just beautiful Alison!

Liz @ Sit With Me In My Garden said...

Hello Alison!
I got a head's up to come over and join you from Ricki @ Art At Home.
Your home and property look quite stunning and handsomely groomed! Your Birdbath/fountain is great and I love the plants by the big trees.
Michigan has had some of the same mixed up weather. 91 last Sunday and 61 today!

Marsha said...

You have a lovely garden and surrounding yard. So relaxing and pretty. I'm new to your party and blog. Thank you for hosting.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Alison your grounds are absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for hosting and have a super weekend!

Heidi said...

Oh my goodness Alison it is all beaUtiful! I love your lanterns!
:)Heidi

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Alison, Your yard is so lovely and manicured! It has so much character with you darling areas with architectural interest! I need a fountain! So so pretty.
You choice of "lipstick" pink flowers pop against your home!!!
Everything looks ready for summer!
Thanks for hosting this fun "first"!

Olive said...

Hi Alison, your house and gardens are lovely. The patio is beautiful surrounded by roses. I especially love the window boxes. Thanks for hosting, olive

The French Hutch said...

Hi Alison, Your gardens are always beautiful I love the roses along your wall and all the lush green ivy, my favorite. I'm sorry I didn't get a new post up for you but we've had such dry weather I have nothing blooming so I'm sharing some beautiful gardens from my beach trip. Thanks so much for hosting, I always find wonderful inspiration at The Polohouse!

~Emily
The French Hutch

Brenda Pruitt said...

What gorgeous gardens and landscaping you have, Alison! Are you pleased with your solar water feature? I've been thinking of getting one. But never used anything solar except for little lights.
Brenda

Savannah Granny said...

Alison, Your gardens are beautiful. I am intrigued by the solar fountain/birdbath. That is neat.
Hallie looks great in the new "bob".
We have been traveling for the past three weeks so my garden isn't presentable just now, so I will visit and enjoy the others.
Have a great weekend. Ginger
Oh, BTW, I did get by Antique Archealogy in Nashville. After I finish the suitcases of laundry I will post the pics.
It was neat.

michele said...

omg the garden looks stunning! and i love hallie's haircut!

smiles to you, gorgeous lady.

michele

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Alison,

Thanks so much for hosting the party. I love the pictures of your yard and your dog. :)

Have a great weekend!
Pam

Kathe said...

I just stumbled upon your blog. So happy I did so that I could see your wonderful flowers! Thank you for hosting and allowing us to share ours with you! I'll add you to my party page in the morning 💜

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ohhh! Hallie looks EXACTLY like a lab! She is darling and your gardens are so fabulous. This has been a most GORGEOUS spring up here in Minneapolis as well with all the RAIN we have been fortunate enough to get!

SOOO NICE to see you visit my blog! Do come back again next week if you want to visit all aspects of Paris!!! LOVE YOUR BLOG..Anita

Barbara said...

Such fun looking at your gorgeous gardens, Alison. You have a beautiful home and your taste is exquisite!

Kim @ French Country Antiques said...

Your photos are gorgeous. The knock-out roses on your sitting wall are lovely. We have lots of knock-out roses, too. They're some of my favorites. Just linked up to your fun party. Thanks so much for hosting!

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

Alison, happy to have found our lovely blog and beautiful landscape/gardens. I found you via Jennifer's garden party. Looking forward to catching up on your blog.
Laura

Ricki Treleaven said...

Just looking at your garden (again)....Your stonework and brickwork is stunning....I would love a pretty patio like at our old house, but instead we have a deck in the trees! ;P

Hallie looks too cute with her summer hairdo.....she does look like a lab!

xo,
RJ

Bunny Jean said...

Hi Alison!

You are off to such a good start, thanks to all the wonderful weather you have been enjoying. Your roses are looking great!

It my first time to join your Favorites on the First party. Thanks for hosting this fun party!

xoxo Bunny Jean

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

What lovely pictures. I wish I could have joined in this Favorites on the First. Have been traveling and am finally catching up with blogs. When I get a little recovered from my trip, I'll have to come back and check out the links.

La Maison des Plaines said...

Hi! Alison,

Your home & gardens are as always....inviting & stunning!

From the blossomed flowers to the solar fountain. Tres jolie! Love it all!

I'm slowly catching up with the gardening. So far....so good! lol

Hallie's haircut is just too cute :o)

Thanks! for sharing this inspiring post.

Have a sunny week!

Blessings & Hugs,
Marlene

Rebecca said...

Your peony question is the proverbial $64,000 question! Everything looks beautiful in YOUR yard & gardens, Alison. Thank you for sharing the blessing of the color, design and uniqueness with us.

Anonymous said...

I love your landscaping, especially the rows of low plantings near the front porch. Some look almost chartreuse, and some look a little darker than those. What are they called? I have a place in my yard where I think they would look good. I have looked at your pictures so many times! They are beautiful.

Thank you!

Kelly, Indiana

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hi Kelly!

You left no link to respond back to you and there is not an email address with your blogger profile, so I will answer you question here!
I only hope you will come back and find it.
All the bright ground cover is pachysandra. If in the shade the leaves are much darker, but in the sun they stay lighter and brighter!

Here is the link for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachysandra

Hope that helps, Kelly.
Thanks for your kind comments!

Alison