Project Terrific Terrace – Update
My fabulous deep red clematis.
Earlier in the spring, I started Project Terrific Terrace, to beautify my ‘garden.’ I took a few photos this morning to show you all how it’s been progressing.
Mostly, it’s been going well. I debated just showing you the lovely photos and letting you believe I am a fantastically gifted gardener. I figured you wouldn’t buy it so I may as well be honest.
If left to our own devices, Andrew and I would probably starve if we had to rely on ourselves for food. Andrew’s strawberries died a few weeks after we planted them. All 6 plants are now - deceased.
The tomatoes are another story. We blame the Belgian weather. It was hot and sunny when we first put them outside. Then it turned cold – very cold. We brought them in and tried to resuscitate them. They live on, but have gone completely leggy and there’s not one flower to be seen. I seriously doubt there will be a tomato crop this year.
All is not totally lost on the produce front, however. My cayenne pepper plant is covered in blossoms. If nothing else, I’ll be able to spice up our lives with my peppers.
Cayenne Pepper Blossom
For the most part, my herbs are doing well. My lemon balm, rosemary, thymes, bay and chives are all great. I planted 3 tiny plants in one planter – marjoram, mint and apple mint – and they are all huge now. Mojitos anyone?
Left to right: apple mint, marjoram and mint
On the bad news front, both of my lavender plants, which I have had for 5 years now, up and died out of the blue. I have no clue what killed them. One of my new sages also seemed to contract the plague and die. However my variegated purple sage looks fantastic!
Variegated Purple Sage
My ice plant garden is also filling out nicely.
Ice plant garden
Speaking of ice plants, I had one little hen & chick plant that wouldn’t fit in the ice plant garden. I popped her into a pot of her own and look what happened…
Hens and Chicks in Bloom
My wisteria is alive and well. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of it in bloom as it has been ridiculously windy lately. It is now green and happy, but flower-less.
I do still have colour on the terrace, however. My Azalea is still blooming, as are my pansies. I also have a sweet little geranium on the go.
Geranium
My pride and joy is my beautiful clematis. This has taken over from my dearly departed passionflower from last year. I just love the deep red colour. I’ll leave you with a few photos of this beauty.
Clematis
Clematis
Clematis
So overall, I think Project Terrific Terrace has been a success. What do you think?
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Wow! Looks even better up close
I do like how your plants have filled out this year making the terrace much more inviting. too bad about the tomatoes, but I’m still holding out hope. I’ve re-staked them so that they have something to hold on to and am now hoping that the return of the sun may get them to produce some flowers. If not… well there’s always next year! 
I think the tomatoes are a lost cause, but hey, we tried
Those clematis pictures are so pretty! Congratulations on your successes – I have zero ability to grow anything – a friend once kidnaped my wilting basil plants to give them a better home, he felt so sorry for them ;-. And they were my success story in terms of my gardening.
I love to look at flowers and gardens, but it’s better when I don’t grow anything myself, so I’m always impressed when someone gets anything to grow, particularly on a terrace!
I’m usually not bad with things in pots but I definitely don’t have the green-thumbs that most of my family has.
Beautiful photos as always and what a lovely terrace. Have to come and enjoy it for real soon and why not with a mojito
Anytime! I have limes and mint… I’m sure we could find some rum nearby
Wonderful … certainly worthy of declaring success and planning next year’s adventure while sipping away at those mojito’s! … have fun! … love to all … PP
I just wish I knew what happened to the lavender… and I wish we had your tomato talents. I guess tomatoes are best left to the professionals. I’ll stick to the Mojitos
I would concur! Beautiful photos too!
Thank you! It’s a nice little haven
Gorgeous photos, Alison. On our terrace lately, we have been growing dusty builders’ rubble!
I hear you have a bumper crop though!