Inspired by the bronzy fall foliage of her blueberries and the orange flowers of 'Autumn Joy' sedum and geum, Binetti keeps these staples in the garden space and removes the other tired plants and adds colorful birdhouses. The birdhouses are painted in various shades of orange using craft paint, which covers the wood surfaces very well, is inexpensive and is easily found at any craft store.The birdhouses add height, depth and carefree color to the garden. "Because the garden bed is so narrow, it wouldn't be a good idea to crowd it with trees," says Binetti.
A 4' x 4' fence post serves as the base of the birdhouse. On the top of the post, a screw points thread-end up through the piece of wood. A hole that fits the screw has been drilled into the bottom of the birdhouse so the birdhouse will sit securely on the base. In the winter, the birdhouse can be easily removed and brought indoors to keep its bright orange paint fresh for years.
For metal accents such as a wrought-iron table frame and rusty metal trellis, Binetti recommends using weatherproof interior/exterior spray paint because it dries quickly. She uses old, recycled grates as trellises. They add more height and color to the space.
For terra-cotta pots and accents, Binetti uses colored varnish, which comes in a variety of colors. Although it doesn't make a drastic difference in the color, colored varnish protects the absorbency of the terra cotta. To apply, simply paint or dab the varnish onto the terra cotta, allow it to set and then wipe off the excess.
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