I hated looking at the tall fence that I see when I sit on my deck, but it does keep Charle my Cavalier Spaniel within my sights. I decided this year I would make it a bit more attractive so I put concrete blocks along the deck side and a walkway at the bottom of the steps and then put all my big tropical climbers on the blocks ( to make it easier to mow and trim the grass). I can't wait until they all start to bloom. Jasmine, bougainvillea, mandevilla are all in place.

Very nice. Hopefully Charlie is old enough to not think of the containers as toss-toys. I ran into that with our neighbor pup, who refuses to grow up (4 years old and still acts like a dope...). Charlie looks pretty calm though.

That's a great idea! It's going to be lovely. Please post some pictures as they grow and bloom

JB said:I hated looking at the tall fence that I see when I sit on my deck, but it does keep Charle my Cavalier Spaniel within my sights. I decided this year I would make it a bit more attractive so I put concrete blocks along the deck side and a walkway at the bottom of the steps and then put all my big tropical climbers on the blocks ( to make it easier to mow and trim the grass). I can't wait until they all start to bloom. Jasmine, bougainvillea, mandevilla are all in place.

That was an excellent idea and looks so very nice and neat.

Bonehead said:Very nice. Hopefully Charlie is old enough to not think of the containers as toss-toys. I ran into that with our neighbor pup, who refuses to grow up (4 years old and still acts like a dope...). Charlie looks pretty calm though.

He sometimes licks at the new stringers before I can get them up on the fence. He did not bother them last year and actually seems to be happy with them. Now he can lift his leg on something. Good thing I wash off the pots when I water each night.

Thank you so much for the nice comments. I enjoy containers so much since I have better control over the watering.

It is now 84 deg. and actually 100 in the sun on the East Deck and 104 in the Greenhouse. This is so sudden for this heat. I find it difficult to keep my old body adjusted and keep the animals cool. Just noticed the gang at the barn and they had the hose out and Tony the Pony was getting a bath. He was having a great time and everyone was wet. So, the only outside animals I worry about are the barn cats but they hide under the feed barn until the sun goes down. The birdbath gets filled two and three times on a day like this. May as well stop worrying, the summer is just beginning. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be spending it with my plants and animals here on the farm. Not big on crowds anymore. Happy Memorial Day.

Very nice, Jacquie! Looking forward to seeing pictures when they are climbing happily.

I love it, and I love your Charlie. Wouldnt Charlie just love a little pool on the concrete pavers I will also be watching to see how it all fills in over the summer. It's going to be awful here today, stay cool everyone and have a great weekend

First Jasmine angulare blooming in dog pen. It has already crawled up to the top of the wire. I feel sure this will be one to keep cut back.




I have noticed a few nice red buds on the mandevilla. They are drinking water like crazy. The sun is so very hot already I am concerned about what this summer is going to be like.

What a great idea, and it really looks great. Keeps the dog safe, and I love the use of the concrete pavers. That really would make mowing easier.
Wow, that is some hot weather.

I really like your mandevilla. Such delicate looking flowers!

Looking good, we're so hot here too, I feel bad for some of my plants in that hot sun, some of my containers are being water twice a day already. Smooches to Charlie

The Mandevilla is starting to bloom. Wind, rain, sun, heat....lovin it. These were all cut back last fall and are now doing well. I do hope they come back and bloom as much as they did last year. They now have a fence to climb on.

JB said:The Mandevilla is starting to bloom. Wind, rain, sun, heat....lovin it. These were all cut back last fall and are now doing well. I do hope they come back and bloom as much as they did last year. They now have a fence to climb on.

That really looks so nice!

Beautiful! Do you take the pots of Mandevilla inside in the winter?

Beautiful! I love the shape of the Mandevilla leaves as much as the flowers!

plantmanager said:Beautiful! Do you take the pots of Mandevilla inside in the winter?

yes. they stay out until Sept. if possible, then they go into the greenhouse and bloom until almost November. I then cut them back and feed them and let them rest all winter until the weather is warm enough (about May) to bring them out.

Thanks for that care info. I have a small one in my greenhouse. I'm not sure it would be happy outside in our dry climates, so I haven't tried that. It certainly blooms well and is so stunning.

plantmanager said:Thanks for that care info. I have a small one in my greenhouse. I'm not sure it would be happy outside in our dry climates, so I haven't tried that. It certainly blooms well and is so stunning.

They get watered daily if it does not rain. Usually late afternoon or early morning.

This is what is blooming in containers here on the farm today. The dog yard Jasmine is going crazy.



hibiscus on the deck is the deck attached to dog yard double orange