Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

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So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...
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Large Spring Container Gardens ~ Colorful Container Plantings Celebrate the Start of the Gardening Season

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Two petite galvanized buckets connected by a crosspiece and simple handle are the perfect planting place for perennial Dianthus, or pinks. Spur Dianthus to send up a second flush of blooms by shearing off spent flowers. The plants will bloom well into summer when grown in part shade to full sun and watered regularly.

Plum-and-white Regal geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are tucked in by cheery deep pink pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) in a doll-size planter. A coat of exterior wood sealant protects the cradle from moisture. For long-lasting plantings, drill drainage holes in watertight containers. If that isn't possible, water only to lightly moisten the soil and let the potting soil dry slightly between waterings.

An old metal container gets a new life when used for a pretty planting of spring daffodils.



A painted wooden garden trug turns into a focal point with annual Dianthus and trailing Dichondra to create an abundant and informal look. (Tip: Line the bottom of the container with heavy plastic, or set pots into plastic water trays.)

Sweetly perfumed stock revels in cool conditions. The handles on a loosely woven basket make it easy to hang this fragrant treasure where you are likely to walk by and enjoy the scent. An excellent cutting flower, stock is available in shades of white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and orange.

When repotting sprouted bulbs, such as white Muscari, tightly arrange them for the best effect.

Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are bellwethers of spring. In this simple ceramic bucket, a skirt of light pink Diascia surrounds a clump of magenta tulips. Prolong the life of your plantings by purchasing plants with tightly closed buds. The buds will open in a few days and color your container for two or more weeks.

Delicate white heart-shape flowers float among the foliage of perennial bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis f. alba) while the annual cascading Diascia completes the floral pairing in this old toolbox. Perennials spring to life as container plants. After enjoying their flowers, transplant them into the garden to become a permanent part of your landscape.

In your local garden centers, look for prechilled bulbs already potted and growing. Here, hyacinth bulbs fill the air with sweet perfume.

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