Last year I did a post on how much I love boxwood and ivy. (here) I have always included both in my plan, but this year, I decided to do almost exclusively boxwood and ivy. With three huge beds of impatiens, plus pillows and accessories, I have plenty of color.

Vickie Lea, who helps me with my pots and yard suggested adding white viburnum to soften, (I think that's what she called it) and I love that subtle addition!

Here are the results...

One of the impatien beds I mentioned is in front of the stone wall above.. You can't see the impatiens because each and every flower has been eaten by bunnies. Every year this happens... just after the impatiens are planted, the bunnies eat every single bloom. But those impatiens seem to come back just fine! 

Here's what they look like later in the summer.

Here's a shot of all three beds... lots of color.

Love the topiaries!

I bought these lead pots in St. Louis last year with my sister-in-law Nina... Could not wait to plant these triple topiaries in them.

Here's the white viburnum... 

I love the candles from Pottery Barn on light timers! Turn them on at 8pm, they turn off in 5 hours and turn on at the same time each night. SO charming! I buy the real wax ones even though they melt a little when it's super hot... they look so real, I don't mind a little meltage.

(Flameless Wax Candle)

In the front pots, more boxwood and ivy...

Tuckerdoodle always in the window...

I need to trim this boxwood into a ball.

And another triple topiary... I love those things!

That is one big mama boxwood in my front pot!

Perfect timing... I'm having a party this weekend! Dude. I am so in party mode right now. I'll share the fun next week.. Meanwhile, here's a peek at what I've been doing:

PARTY LIST:

Plant pots outside

Plant beds outside

Clean and organize house

Clean up damn helicopters in plant beds from annoying helicopter tree

Rent tables, linens, etc.

Ribbons for something special

Prepare party favors

Order cake(s)

Order flowers

Plan menu

Meet with Caterer

Figure wine

Clean and organize house

Arrange accessories

Plan tablescape

Pray for no rain

Clean and organize house