OH, HOW LOVELY this flush of flowers folding around a corner house in northwest Faribault. The scene proves eye-pleasing in color, composition and height.
I wouldn’t say that about every massive quantity of potted plants. I’ve seen enough scattered-across-the-yard pots to recognize when I see a well-done grouping. This one I like. A lot.
The narrow color palette of purples and pinks mixed with some yellow is simply beautiful. Sweet potato vine and other spillers among the primarily petunias and million bells create a unified look. I also spot backdrop orange lilies and purple clematis in the mix.
This gardener clearly worked hard to create this floral painting. Choosing all these plants, then potting and arranging them takes time, effort and an artistic eye. And money. Plants are costly as are pots and soil.
I deeply appreciate those who beautify my community via the flowers they plant, grow and tend. In recent years, I’ve cut back on gardening. No longer do pots of flowers grace my front steps, the patio or the driveway next to the garage. But old-fashioned hydrangea still spill around the corner of my house. Ferns wave. The occasional milkweeds, phlox and assorted whatever mix in unruly flower beds that my Grandma Ida would have appreciated. Her flowerbeds were, like mine, a bit of a lovely mess.
I miss the zinnias I once grew, the zinnias which filled my mother’s garden and then vases inside the southwestern Minnesota farmhouse of my youth. This spring my 3-year-old grandson planted zinnia seeds I gave to his mom, my eldest, on her February birthday. He was so incredibly excited when the seeds sprouted and even more so when the plants grew and blossomed. His mom praised him. “You have a green thumb, Isaac.”
He looked at his thumb and replied, “No, I don’t.” Sometimes we forget how children take everything literally.
Such joy flowers bring. Memories. Inspiring a new generation to perhaps plant flower seeds that will grow into a lovely mess of a garden or contained in a pot.
This summer I celebrate the northwest Faribault gardener who brings beauty into his/her yard near the back employee parking lot of the Faribault Mill with this massive potting of flowers. This shows pride in community, pride in neighborhood and creativity.
TELL ME: Have you spotted a similar potted flower garden in your community? Do you grow flowers, either in beds or pots?
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’d say you’re right, that arrangement of flowers is like a well thought out painting. visually draws the eye in to the entire scene. yes, flowers bring great joy to me as well, I never stop appreciating them.
Beth, thank you for appreciating the efforts of this artist gardener. And for appreciating flowers in general.
Reminds me of our neighbor who has fauna and flora with pots galore along with benches, decoratives, etc., etc., etc. I love the riot of color in the photos above – just makes you smile and happy 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
So happy to make you smile this morning.
I do both pots and garden.
That looks like a wonderful arrangement.
And I bet yours are lovely. What do you grow?
I just found out I will be gardening a lot more…we were on a waiting list and was called today.😳 Usually, flowers, the normal veggies, carrots, beans, kale. Plus bulbs.😊🌷
That’s great, Paula. I assume you were on a list for a community garden space???
Yes we were but had given up hope for this year but got a call yesterday and jumped right on it! The nice thing is that my friend who loves Laura Ingells lives close by but the size was too big for one person when she rented in the past…so now I can teach her gardening American Midwest style.😂 Already tons of weeds so that is a great start.🤨
I’m laughing at the weeds part. Yes, always too many weeds. Have fun gardening with your Laura Ingalls Wilder loving friend.
What a happy post this is today! I love gardening and I enjoy seeing the work of others. Thanks for sharing photos of the pots of glory in Faribault!
You are welcome, Jane. Thank you for appreciating this “garden” and my post.
Looks to me like it takes a lot of yard space out the “have to mow” category! Not a bad idea… a few pots and some seeds could well be a worthwhile investment!
Less lawn to mow is certainly a good thing and something I hadn’t thought of because I stopped mowing the lawn several years ago. That task is now solely your brother’s job.