Showing some curves

My sweet little home has gone through some changes since that first day she became ours.  The first time we saw her she was a real blank slate, no bushes or edging.  We were free to do whatever we wanted.  When we went back to look a second time, the owner planted and edged and we felt bad ripping out what we were essentially now going to be paying for.  So we made do, just mulching and adding a few annuals that first year.   Of course, we powerwashed the stairs, got a new light fixture, and new mailbox.

By the next summer, we had changed the screen door and the shutters, made an address plaque, and were trying to bulk up the garden.  But still, straight and boxy.  I want to be rid of the straight and boxy.  At this point, she looks like the picture on the right.  Garden has perennials.  Check.  Flower bed, though planted with no rhyme or reason due to my immense lack of skills, is curvy and much larger.  Check.  But you can't even TELL from the street!!! 

You might be wondering why we "went backwards" with that plastic black edging, but in my opinion we had to go backwards to go forwards.  We were able to sell the red scalloped bricks (not my style at all!) via Craigslist.  Right in front of the red bush, and pretty much where the welcome sign is, is how big the bed was before we curved it out.  We used a hose and spray paint to map out exactly what i wanted because S wasn't getting it based on my arm movements alone.  It looked like a cross between trying to take flight and an elaborate prayer ritual.  And then we tilled.  Tillered?  Used the tiller we rented from Home Depot to add compost to the yucky clay dirt we have.

We would have liked to do a retaining wall, but the perennials I ordered came in earlier than expected since we were still having frost, and i had to get them in the ground.  To dig them up now, along with the bulbs we planted, would annoy me to no end. 

So no retaining wall now.  I like that whole raised up knife edge look which would still require taking raising up the plants, or I like these from Home Depot. 

I think we could easily work those to fit our curves.  Don't you?  I would love to know, dear readers, what kind of flower beds or gardens you have.  I warn you, though, I get jealous easily!

Linking up to Remodelaholic, the Inspired Room, fingerprints on the Fridge, tidymoms,  Trash to Treasure, Frugal Friday, favorite things friday, Met Monday, DIY showoff, Mustard Seed Creations, feature yourself friday, motivate me monday, room to inspire, women who do it all, show and share day, my backyard eden, blue cricket design, somewhat simple, show and tell friday.