• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Umami Girl logo

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Food
    • Home
    • Adventure
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Shop
  • Favorite Things
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Lifestyle » Home » Gardening » Easy Spring Porch Update: Colorful Plants For the Win

    Easy Spring Porch Update: Colorful Plants For the Win

    May 9, 2017 / Updated Jun 05, 2020 / by Carolyn Gratzer Cope / Leave a Comment

    Gardening doesn't have to be hard to be awesome. Case in point: these gorgeous, colorful rhododendrons in containers on the porch, creating a big impact in about half an hour. Thanks to Monrovia for sponsoring this post, and thanks to you for supporting our partners.

    Easy Spring Porch Update Monrovia Colorful Plants 780 | Umami Girl

    I am NOT a good gardener

    You guys. Here's something. I am NOT a good gardener. And yet. I love plants. I really do. Indoor, outdoor. You name it, I love it. And often, sadly, I kill it. When I do a gardening project, it needs to be foolproof. And because I don't have the patience or skill to do a lot of gardening, it's best if my projects make a big impact. This week, Monrovia made that super easy, even for me. Pretty, right?

    Easy Spring Porch Update Monrovia Colorful Plants 780 | Umami Girl

    Easy porch update

    Our house has a few porches. (An embarrassment of riches, I know.) At the moment, they could all use a little updating for spring and summer. Those in the know tend to enter via the side porch. But since the front porch is the first focal point for new visitors, I thought it made sense to kick off the season by making a big, colorful splash there.

    Easy Spring Porch Update Monrovia Colorful Plants 780 | Umami Girl

    Purple passion rhododendron

    I popped over to our local Lowe's one weekday evening to check out the selection of plants that could be planted in containers. These spectacular Purple Passion Rhododendron were the first things to catch my eye, and I knew I had to have them.

    Easy Spring Porch Update Monrovia Colorful Plants 780 | Umami Girl

    A horticultural triple threat

    For whatever reason, I rarely need help feeling conspicuous at home improvement stores. But this week I got some help anyway. The minute I put these beauties into my cart, EVERYONE wanted to talk to me. So for the price of a 20-minute project, I scored a stunning seasonal porch upgrade AND a bunch of new rhododendron-ogling friends. And eventually, if all goes well, we'll transplant these babies into the ground and let them claim their destiny as giant flowering shrubs. So. A horticultural triple threat. Enough said. (Maybe too much.)

    Easy Spring Porch Update Monrovia Colorful Plants 780 | Umami Girl

    If I can do this, you can do this

    And the best part is, if I can do this project, you can do this project. I bet you don't need me to tell you how to put some beautiful plants into cute pots. But I made you a video anyway, in which I say, "I think I pollinated myself." Just in case you needed a reason to watch.

    « Radish and Butter Tartines with Fleur de Sel
    20 Reasons to Toast Mother’s Day »
    • 2

    About Carolyn Gratzer Cope

    Welcome! I’m Carolyn Gratzer Cope, and Umami Girl is your guide to a life well-lived. UG is a lifestyle site for curious, thoughtful people who seek to make every day a little special and have a great time doing it. We're brimming with real talk about the things that matter most — family, food, home, and adventure — and I hope you'll love digging in. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME TO UG

    Welcome! I’m Carolyn Gratzer Cope, and Umami Girl is your guide to a life well-lived. UG is a lifestyle site for curious, thoughtful people who seek to make every day a little special and have a great time doing it. Learn more

    THE FRIDAY NEWSLETTER

    Start every weekend off right with our Friday newsletter.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Most Popular

    Basmati Rice Pilaf 780 | Umami Girl

    Basmati Rice Pilaf

    Cilantro Sauce for Mexican Food 780 | Umami Girl-2

    Cilantro Sauce Recipe for Tacos, Nachos, and More

    Reverse Seared Pork Chops with Quick Shallot Herb Pan Sauce 780 | Umami Girl

    Reverse Sear Pork Chops with Quick Shallot Herb Pan Sauce

    sirloin cap slices with chimichurri

    Reverse Sear Sirloin Cap (with Chimichurri, If You Like)

    Spring Favorites

    vegetarian carbonara with asparagus and ramps in a white bowl

    Vegetarian Carbonara with Asparagus and Ramps

    shaved fennel salad on an offwhite plate

    Shaved Fennel Salad with Lemon Caper Vinaigrette

    how to freeze rhubarb on a baking sheet

    How to Freeze Rhubarb and Why It's a Great Idea

    a vegan sushi bowl with salt and pepper tofu, edamame, sushi rice, nori, avocado, pomegranate arils, and citrus vinaigrette

    Vegan Sushi Bowls

    Footer

    As seen on

    a few examples of where umami girl has been featured

    Make It Tonight

    vegan taco bowl with black beans, corn, avocado, salsa, hot sauce, olives, lettuce, scallions, and vegan sour cream

    Vegan Taco Bowls

    crispy potato tacos (tacos de papa) on a sheet pan

    Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

    refried bean and cheese enchiladas with red tex mex enchilada sauce

    Refried Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

    tex mex enchilada sauce in a jar with a spoon

    Tex Mex Enchilada Sauce

    chicken and black bean enchiladas with green enchilada sauce in a pan and on a plate with a fork

    Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas

    green enchilada sauce in a jar with a spoon

    Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2008-2022 UMAMI GIRL LLC