Garden Party in the Southwest

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment! Lisa at The Preacher's Wife had the fabulous idea to host this Spring Garden Tour so we can all get a peek into each other's yards and gardens and outdoor sanctuaries.

So, here in the Southwest, or at least in my city, almost everyone has the lovely xeroscape, otherwise known as "gravel in my front yard that we try to pass off as landscape". Given the water shortage around here, it does make sense, although growing up in the Midwest where both rain and grass abound, it was an adjustment for me.


This is my little welcoming wine barrel, brimming with petunias.

That's about it for the front yard. Because I'm quite sure you don't want to see my gravel, do you? So we'll move along to the back, where we spend most of our time.

It's a small yard, but I found a spot for a few vegetable plants. Tomatoes, onions, spinach, peppers, and jalapenos. Yum.



And basil. I LOVE basil. Makes me want to whip up a batch of spaghetti sauce. Plus, it has the most heavenly smell; when I water it in the evening, it permeates the entire area with such a fragrant scent.


I plant spearmint every year, solely for the nostalgic memories the scent brings to mind. And if one were so inclined, it makes a great garnish. I, personally, am not usually so inclined. But if I were...it would be fabulous.


Random flowers around the yard....a couple of dianthus plants. And violets and snapdragons that sprang up in January and saved me the trouble of planting anything in that space this year.







I love this blue-violet shade of pansies. And my sweet hubby bought me this wagon-planter last year that adds a little character to the yard.




This is our little waterfall, which we put in last year. I'm sure our electric bill and water bill have been a little higher since then because, well, it is always on. But it is so relaxing, and I would literally run it 24/7 if I could.






And when the sun goes down, the relaxation factor kicks up an extra notch. Ah....such serenity.



So that's it! Not the biggest or brightest or fanciest, but it is a little outdoor haven for us, and I guess that's what counts.

Thanks for stopping by...can't wait to come and visit your beautiful yards! Be sure to visit The Preachers Wife and continue the Tour!