During the height of the pandemic, we hosted several informal lunch get-togethers on our back patio. At mid-day, it's generally a very sunny spot and, to provide our guests relief from the sun's heat and glare, we hauled out a large umbrella. As the wind picks up in the afternoon more often than not, keeping the umbrella in place was a challenge that required adding concrete blocks to its base to prevent it from flying away. My husband decided it might be easier to attach a retractable screen to the roof. It turned out to be quite a construction project but he got it up and working last week.
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| The photo on the left shows the screen fully retracted and the photo on the right shows it as it's unfolding. My husband made sure that the screen didn't block the view from the kitchen window or interfere with the tree-sized Leucadendron 'Pisa'adjacent to the patio. |
I took the opportunity to clean all the patio furniture and cushions. I also replaced the old outdoor rug, which had deteriorated badly over the past year.
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| Photo of the patio taken in late afternoon with the screen fully extended |
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| Our back patio is on the east side of the house so, by late afternoon when this photo was taken, sun exposure isn't much of an issue |
Here's a closer look at the new rug:
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| The rug remains in place all year with just an occasional wash. The last one held up for 5 years so I expect at least as much from this one. |
I replanted the circle pot on the dining table as it was looking pretty sad.
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| I used 3 small rosettes of Aeonium arboreum 'Velour' and several cuttings of Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi'. They should do for a year or more (provided I remember to water the pot every once in a while). |
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| These pots could use some attention too but I'll get to them eventually |
Virtually the only time I sit down in my garden is when we have visitors but I did plunk myself down a couple of times as I was cleaning up the patio.
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| The marine layer never fully cleared yesterday so the view of the Los Angeles harbor in the distance looks fuzzy |
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| The plants surrounding the patio have gotten denser in recent years so they hide some of the view too. Odd how that happens! |
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| View looking south when sitting on the bench |
I could use some new pillows for the bench but that's probably the extent of any further fluffing for this this year. How about you? Have you made any changes to your outside areas to make them more welcoming for you and your visitors?
All material © 2012-2022by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party