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I hope you had an amazing week!
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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms
In the Garden
We had quite a bit of rain this week but things cleared up and I did a few things around. the gardens. For starters, we’ve got a rabbit problem! I saw three hopping around in the side yard and discovered some damage in Flora lane. They’ve been dining on what’s left of my pansies so I’m going to leave them in until further notice so the rabbits eat that instead of my other plants. Sigh.
I planted the rest of my sunflowers, borage, tithonia, and cosmos in the gardens. If you recall, I started them a few weeks ago in small pots and they are ready for primetime. To protect them from damage, I fully sprayed them with repellent AND am covering some with cloches. I wish I could cover them all but that would get expensive!
The pool garden is looking so pretty right now. I almost didn’t plant this plant combo together. A happy accident that turned into my favorite discovery of the season. I love when that happens, don’t you?
Honestly, I wasn’t sure how the bold, saturated pink and blush tones would play with the electric violet, but the result is more beautiful than I could have imagined. The way the vibrant colors and different textures combine is just so perfect.
As an aside, I had no plans to plant a sunpatiens here but had a few extras to tuck in so I did at the last minute. I love the vibe and am officially obsessed! Here’s the stunning combo
🌸 Sunpatiens Pink (not sure of variety)
💜 Cuphea Totally Tempted Vivid Violet’
🌸 Phlox Opening Act Blush
Sometimes the most unexpected pairings create the best results. Have you had any happy accidents in your garden this year? Let me know in the comments below so we can chat more about it!
Plants of the Week!
I’m highlighting some favorite garden blooms from the week so you can see the plants and varieties I’m growing. Here are a few that I’m loving this week!
Star Roses Open House
I took a little trip midweek to attend Star Roses open house where I got to tour the greenhouse and trial fields. If you aren’t familiar with Star Roses, they sparked my obsession with roses with their knockout series!
Knockout roses are 25 years young and I planted my first one within a few years of it being out on the market. Anyway, they are easy to grow roses and a great beginner plant if you haven’t had experience with that type of flower yet.
While I was there, I fell in love with a few newbies that will be out in 2026. The Martha Stewart rose is everything you’d expect it to be. I saw it in a few different bloom stages there and let me tell you – it’s incredibly fragrant.
Father’s Day Weekend in Vermont
The family and I gathered for a fun weekend in Vermont to celebrate my husband Chris who has always been an amazing father. We did some hiking, boating, thrifting, and dined out. It was a great weekend! We are heading home later today.
Don’t Let Rabbits Ruin Your Flowers! Quick & Easy Solutions
Is there anything more frustrating than waking up to find your beautiful flowers nibbled down to the stem? This JUST happened to me this week! If you’re battling bunnies in your garden, you’re not alone. I’ve got some quick and easy solutions to help you protect your blooms and enjoy your garden to the fullest. Here are my top strategies for keeping those floppy-eared foragers at bay when you can’t fence them out.
1) Repel Them Naturally One of the simplest ways to deter rabbits is to make your plants less appealing.
This repellent is a great option that uses natural ingredients to create an unpleasant taste or smell for rabbits, without harming your plants or other beneficial wildlife. It smells horrible and will cause an initial staining but it works on deer, voles and other wildlife too!
For an alternative, check out this repellent – it’s known for its long-lasting effectiveness, even after rain. It smells much better than the first one, doesn’t clog and works pretty well but only targets bunnies and groundhogs. I interchange both repellents to ensure a solid strategy.
2) Create a Physical Barrier with Wire Cloches
For individual plants or small groupings, Wire Cloches are a fantastic physical barrier. These protective domes keep rabbits from reaching your flowers while still allowing sunlight and water through. They’re especially great for young, vulnerable plants. I prefer to use the ones with removable tops so you can keep the base on while allowing your plants (like sunflowers) to grow tall.
3) Surprise Them with a Motion Sprayer
Rabbits are easily startled and a Motion Sprayer can be an incredibly effective deterrent with them. When a rabbit approaches, the sprayer detects its movement and releases a harmless burst of water, sending them scurrying away. It’s a humane and surprisingly effective solution!
4) Protect Beds with Scat Mats
If rabbits are digging or venturing into your flower beds, Scat Mats can be a game-changer. These mats have soft, blunt plastic spikes that are uncomfortable (but not harmful) for rabbits to walk on, discouraging them from entering the area. Simply lay them around the perimeter of your beds or near vulnerable plants. I use these more in conjunction with other methods but have completely surrounded plants or small borders before!
5. Plant Rabbit Repelling Plants in the Long Run
While not a quick fix, if bunnies are a yearly problem in your gardens, start planting more rabbit repellent plants. I shared a good list of them in this article.
Come See Me in Mendham, New Jersey!
Chapter One Bookstore is graciously hosting me for a book signing event on Saturday, June 21 from 1-3PM. Drop by if you are local! I’ll have books and merch with me too.
Father’s Day Weekend Gardener’s Sale!
It’s Father’s Day weekend! Celebrate the gardener in him (or you!) with a fantastic 25% off everything in my online shop! It’s the perfect time to “Get Your Bloom On” with super cozy apparel, designed to bring a little sunshine to your wardrobe. I’ve also got your gardening must-haves covered: think comfy garden gloves, sunhats, handy snips, and the best-smelling hand soap to refresh after a day in the dirt. Plus, so much more!
Use CODE SALE25 to get 25% off everything in the shop. PLUS, get free shipping on orders over $75 with CODE FREESHIP.
Shop the Sale & Get Your Bloom On Here!
What I’m Shopping For This Week
- I’m needed to buy more rabbit and groundhog repellent.
- Because the bunnies are causing a problem this week, I bought more wire cloches with removable tops for my sunflowers.
- I also purchased a motion activated sprayer for my welcome porch garden. They are merciless in there!
- And I just started reading a new book! Have you read this one yet?
My Top Trending Gardening Products This Week
These are the most popular products on my blog this week!
What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun week on the blog!
Leaves of Three, Let it Be: Your Ultimate Poison Ivy Survival Guide
Yikes! Have you ever had poison ivy before? Identify, treat, and safely remove poison ivy with this complete guide. Avoid itchy rashes and find quick relief with these essential tips!
The Best Blue Flowers for Summer Blooms
From agapanthus to hydrangeas, explore the best blue flowers to bring a pop of color to your summer garden.
Easy Blueberry Mojito Recipe: Refreshing and Ready in Minutes
Whip up the perfect summer drink in no time! This easy blueberry mojito recipe delivers a burst of sweet, tangy flavor and refreshing mint.
Easy Houseplants for Busy People
Crave greenery without the drama? (Busy bees, this is for you!) Discover foolproof and easy houseplants that thrive on neglect. Low light? Forget it. Water once a month? Done. Green up your home, stress-free with these simple tips.
Homemade Blueberry Dump Cake: The EASIEST Summer Dessert
Sweet, simple, and satisfying! This blueberry dump cake recipe uses fresh berries for peak flavor. Your go-to easy dessert!
How to Plant Peonies the Right Way to Ensure the Best Blooms
Your dream peony garden awaits! This essential planting guide covers every step, from choosing roots to the vital 2-inch depth rule for gorgeous blooms.
COTTAGE GARDEN CHARM: My Stunning Petunia Border, Growing Tips, & the Prettiest Perennial Flowers 🌸
June Mixed Border Garden Tour
Amazing Inspiration from Around the Web
I love finding cool inspiration from around the web and wanted to share some of what I’m loving right now.
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
