Petals & Pages
15 Ways to Weave the Garden Into Your Life
Im so grateful that over the last decade I have visited some of the most breathtaking fields. I have stopped on the side of the road many times just to observe the vastness and wild beauty. I have run across the tulip fields in Oregon with my small children at the time. I saw the Peony Gardens in May and was captivated by the various kinds there are. I’ve sat in a clover field surrounded by honeybees. I stood in a field of Hellebores. I gathered poppies in Neskowin by the sea. I gathered wild queen anne’s lace blooms every summer. I saw the desert wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert. I’ve touched gold yarrow wildflowers in the south of France, stood under the tallest sunflower on the road to Provence, and lost myself in the in the luscious purple fields of lavender fields of the hills. Today, I wander my local trails, gathering wild daises, loquats, lemons and fragrant eucalyptus, carrying the same awe and wonder and serenity I’ve found in the fields around the world, close to home.
Where My Love for Plants Began
I wouldn’t say I have my mom’s green thumb, but my love of plants definitely comes from her—so thank you, Mama. She has over 80 indoor plants and what I like to call a sun room in her living room, with soaring ceilings and plants on every wall, mantel, pedestal, windowsill, and even the piano. Every visit includes an update about her newest additions; her obsession with indoor plants is truly fascinating.
Between 2014 and 2019 I had quite the indoor-plant collection in our old home in Oregon before we moved to Southern California. I admit I had an obsession for a while like everyone else was getting fiddle-leafs and expressing themselves through plants. The very first thing I bought after we built our home was indoor plants, and my favorite setup was a bar cart in the kitchen that I filled with them.
Well, fast forward to today 2026 I sadly only have three indoor plants. I gave most of mine away during the move; many went to my mom and sister, and I sold the rest. Living in Oregon, the weather influenced my love of houseplants: it rains a lot, so indoor plants brought greenery, freshness, and a hobby — something to grow and care for inside. Now I live in a completely different climate, with an average temperature of about 68°F year-round.
I enjoy outdoor gardening, mostly in pots. I have a small front rose garden that could use a bit of tending—I keep telling myself I’ll fully immerse myself in learning how to care for them well, though I haven’t quite gotten there yet. Still, somehow, the roses return faithfully each year.
We also have a 12’ x 12’ bed where we grow some vegetables, herbs and annual flowers. I recently planted a calla lily plant, a nostalgic flower that makes me think of our wedding. In my backyard, we have an apple tree that faithfully produces fruit each year. Our small backyard feels rich and alive, it brings me joy to wake each morning to the sound of birds chirping. Lately, my four-year-old and I have been especially drawn to birdwatching. There’s something so special about experiencing nature through the lens of her eyes.
We have a small courtyard so common here in Southern California. I’ve planted lavender in the center, along with camellia bushes that bloom each autumn, two varieties of climbing jasmine, and a few evergreens in pots.
Here are a few glimpses of my garden. I’d love to add some vintage French iron furniture in my courtyard —just a small place to sit with my morning coffee, quietly watching the hummingbirds.
I prefer daily walks, gathering wild greenery to arrange in vases and scatter throughout my home. This is more than a hobby now; it’s become a grounded, personal part of me. I may not have many indoor plants anymore, but my love for plants hasn’t faded — it’s grown deeper and richer.
Today I enjoy reading about gardening, especially old poetry. I love collecting poetry books about nature vintage gardening books, and I often share the pages that inspire me here in my notes.
I’ve also linked my favorite Gardening Books here. I will be adding more to my every growing library.
A nature walk reminds me that everything was created in love, and I now have a deeper appreciation for flowers and plants than ever before it makes me slow down.
This month I found Classic Garden Style by Inès Heugel published in 2004. The photography is absolutely breathtaking, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the read. The book beautifully explores how decorative and ornamental details can turn a garden into a true extension of the home.
After looking through this book I was inspired to go on facebook marketplace to look for some furniture and search for: garden containers, sheds, planters, terracotta pots, metal planters, wrought iron furniture, wicker, bamboo and rattan furniture, Lloyd Loom, parasols, and hammocks.
note: I’m to do a second post about what I find on FBM let me know in the comments below if you’d like to see my round up?
Here are some of the lovely page spreads I’ve been savoring:
Here are 15 simple ways to weave the garden even deeper into daily life.
(let me know if you try one, or have done some of these before)
Tie eucalyptus bunch over the tap of running water in your bath or shower head- releases their soothing fragrances.
Make a list of Garden centers or stores in your area, compare prices, create a list of what you want to add to your home.
Visiting a local garden or flower field. Dress up don’t forget your hat.
Dry bundles of lavender, rosemary, or mint and tuck them into drawers or hang them in the closet for natural fragrance.
Create a simple potpourri mix from dried rose petals, citrus peels, and garden herbs to scent your rooms. I love this book, has the best recipes.
Start searching facebook marketplace for backyard furniture, planters, furniture.
Go to an estate sale. Don’t forget to check in the backyard, most of the time there are lots of planters and teracotta pots.
Press garden flowers or leaves between book pages to create your own botanical art. I love to use it in my junk journal page spreads. Or as bookmarks.
Keep a garden journal: sketch quick plant observations, note what’s blooming.
Bring the outdoors in with a “nature shelf” - wildflowers in tiny jars or vintage bottles.
Get lost in the gardening section of a vintage book store or library.
Write a garden or nature poem from what you observed on your walk.
Keep fragrant flowers by your bedside.
Grow edible flowers.
End the day with a garden-inspired evening ritual: light a beeswax candle, sip herbal tea from your own harvest, and flip through your favorite gardening book.
Now I’ll end with Tasha Tudor forever kind of aesthetic. These remarkable photos of Tasha Tudor. If you don’t know who she was (1915–2008) Tasha Tudor was an American illustrator and author of children’s books, known for her delicate, nostalgic watercolor illustrations that evoked 19th-century New England life. She published over 100 books, including classics like Mother Goose. She lived a simple, old-fashioned lifestyle on her Vermont farm that deeply influenced her magical, timeless art. We love her children’s books and I highly recommend to purchase Tasha’s Tudor’s Garden 1994.
Whether you have a yard, a patio, a small balcony, a terrace, or even just a sunroom, whether you love the patient work of gardening or prefer a more natural, carefree disarray simply meandering through your green space can lead you to something beautiful to pick, pluck, or prune and carry inside.
Thank you for stopping by. Hope you left inspired!
If you enjoyed this letter. I think you’ll enjoy these two:
Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed reading and am definitely inspired. Started checking book section when I'm thrifting, specifically for art/garden books. Please share the roundup/2nd part. I like your writing and decor style. Truly flowers are one of God's greatest creations and they add such a great touch in a home. Thank you!