I love fluffing my porches for each season.
The fluffing came a little late as I wanted to wait
for the pollen to completely end. It seemed as if it was going on forever!
Yellow yuck everywhere!
I intentionally decided that I omit the door wreaths this year for that
more simply stated look for my Spring Porch 2018.
The first thing that I did was to head to my favorite garden center,
Dale’s Greenhouse in Sanford, NC. He raises most of his flowers and plants
and they are magnificent.
A “combination” planter of Petunias, Diamond Frost and Verbena
fill the cobalt blue container.
Pretty pink Dahlias fill the blue and white container.
The fountains were cleaned and reconnected
and that soothing sound of trickling and bubbling water is back again.
We had such a harsh winter . . . we aren’t used to many of these here,
or at least I’m not! . . . My ivy topiaries had survived nicely throughout the past
winters; however, this winter had some pretty cold temperatures
and they did not fair very well. So I am starting all over again with them.
My irises have seemed to have popped up and bloom overnight!
They are located under a window beside the front porch.
I must say that I have not seen a color combination of gold and a deep garnet
in gardens in my area. I got these irises many years ago at my fav garden center of course!
The petunias go well with the irises and the antique quilt
is blending nicely with the hanging baskets of pink Petunias,
pink Verbena and Diamond Frost.
It’s been beautiful here lately . . . with temps in the high 60’s and low 70’s
the perfect weather for me. It has been a rainy month, but the rain has indeed
yielded beautiful flowers and green grass!
Now everything seems to come alive again.
Pretty flowers and the sounds of flowing water.
My porch is happy again! . . . and me too!
Now, when friends and family approach my home and porch,
they are greeted by the beautiful welcoming sights and sounds of Spring!
I wish you all a most beautiful Spring Day!!! Hope you had a lovely May Day!
And speaking of flowers, stay tuned to another Floral Friday coming your way
this Friday, May 4th with the most charming floral inspiration!


Shirley, your guests will feel welcomed when they step onto your porch with the sights and sound of spring! The irises are stunning, and the fan quilt is gorgeous! Happy Wednesday!
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Shirley, your porch is absolutely beautiful! Your guests will certainly feel welcomed! We have been battling that awful yellow pollen. I wash my porches off, and it is back again. Hopefully, it will end soon! Enjoy your day!!!
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors’s recent post…Happenings and a Pretty Spring Table
Your porch looks beautiful and inviting. The gold and garnet irises are amazing. My bearded iris were just budding when another cold night hit so no blooms. Look forward to Floral Friday.
Shirley, your porch is lovely! You can send me that gorgeous hanging basket of petunias. That shade of pink is my absolute favorite and is quite hard to find in my area. Interesting for me to read about your ivy being hard hit this winter. We have ivy in one spot of our garden and I always felt nothing could kill it. Well, this winter didn’t kill it, but it certainly did quite a bit of damage to it. Your irises are stunning, ours are just starting to send up blooms shoots. Everyone who steps onto your porch will want to have a seat and simply admire the beauty!
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Gorgeous as always! I’ll be back later…
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Your porch is beautiful. I love the irises and how your petunias coordinate with them. Here in southeast Wisconsin we are FINALLY enjoying some warm weather. Planting flowers is a couple of weeks away. I can’t wait!
Hi Shirley! Wow! What a gorgeous porch. LOVE the petunias. You’ve inspired me to try some this year. It’s raining here today, good for my wildflower seeds I’m trying in my garden. We usually wait until Mother’s Day to plant pots because it could snow here anytime it feels like it! Enjoy those lovely water sounds…Hugs, Pat
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Your porch looks so welcoming Shirley. I need to update our front and back porch before it gets too hot.
Pamela-From my front porch to yours’s recent post…Foyer Makeover Reveal
Shirley, your porch is so beautiful! The soothing blues are the perfect compliment for all your beautiful flowers too. I know your guests will all feel welcome, because YOU are the most gracious and kind and caring person I know. But the beautiful spring flowers definitely add a huge dose of welcome and charm. Happy Wednesday, sweet friend. xo
Lovely. I have the same bi-colored irises, so pretty and large blooms
That all looks perfect! I just got out my flowers pots/planters and am deciding on how I’m going to place them and what to put in them. I love going to local greenhouses for my plants- they are always well cared for and a good size. Your iris is beautiful- love the colors. I have some ivy that seems to have survived but right now it’s pretty sad looking. I hope it will perk up in the next couple of weeks. The petunias are all beautiful. Can’t wait to plant here but still have to wait a bit longer. Hooray for rain, pretty flowers and green grass!
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Whoa! Look at those irises!!!!!!!! I wish! Ours take a bit longer to bloom. Yours are so healthy!!!!!!!! Your porch looks fabulous!
Beautiful and welcoming Shirley. Your front porch is gorgeous and has great curb appeal. Speaking of curb appeal how is the house sale going? Any offers yet? Happy May.
xoox
Kris
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Gorgeous Shirley! I could order up months of this glorious weather with no humidity and preferably with no pollen! Those iris are such beauties, I love the color combo! Our trees are still producing so there is a layer of yellow dust everywhere. I’ve given up cleaning the porch until we’re done permanently. I’ve been stalking our garden centers waiting to pounce when some of my favorites are back in stock. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful floral creations on Friday. ♥
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Your porch looks lovely all dressed for Spring! We are still having pollen here! I can’t wait for it to be gone so I can fluff my front porch and back deck. It is 78 degrees here this afternoon. Love it!
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Oh my , now you’ve done it. I have to go get my porch which is a pollen disaster as I type this, ready for summer. I love the lights you have and the blue fountain. Will you let me know where you got them. I’m hoping to get to durham and chapel hill on friday. Maybe i will run into you at our favorite shop. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration. xo
Your porch and flowers look so pretty and inviting. And I love your pineapple sconces! A sure sign of welcome.
Shirley,
Your Spring Porch looks so beautiful and welcoming! I have the same color gold/purple bearded iris’ in my yard that came from my late grandmothers yard and they are blooming beautifully right now. The pollen is getting a little better here in central VA but I am still having to hose the porch and sidewalks down daily but hopefully that isn’t for much longer.
Beautiful, Shirley!
You have such a fabulous porch and great decor! Lovely…
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Your porch always looks beautiful to me. Sorry the topiaries took a beating. It was a very cold and wet winter. The weather has been so nice this week, but boy the humidity showed up today. That I can do without!
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Oh your porch looks wonderful!! Your Irises are gorgeous and I love your hanging pot spilling over with blooms. We saw Spring erupt weeks ago with all the Cherry Trees blooming, but still had a lot of rain. It’s finally time that I can plant my patio pots, (It’s not covered) and I can’t wait!
Happy flower time 🙂
So pretty and inviting! I love Dale’s Greenhouse! He has the prettiest plants and flowers. Next time you are down this way, stop by Big Bloomers Flower Farm. It is very close to Dale’s. They have a huge selection of plants and garden accents. You will not be disappointed!!! Happy Saturday and enjoy this beautiful weather!!
You have mastered maximizing a porch into truly making it an outdoor oasis! I love your use of colorful pots and flowers with the obelisks. I have been wanting to buy a couple more for my front yard but haven’t seen any yet.
Your porch looks wonderful!
Your porches and your flowers always wow me, Shirley! I definitely don’t think you have to have a wreath. Sometimes it’s best to just let the pretty door shine. 😉