The Yard

Spring is not my favorite season but it is a good one.  Right now most the plants are either in bloom or growing like crazy.  A nice break from the rain and the sun is out makes perfect weather to get some work done in the garden.  Lately there has been brainstorming on how to get rid of the lawn in the front yard and create a easy manageable garden and sitting area in the front.  We had already mulched a strip of lawn next to the driveway so I have made that into my practice area.  Today I went to Green Acres, an amazing nursery, and picked up a few things to add some life to area.  Months ago I had already planted two crepe myrtle trees and they have been doing nicely.  The project today added a gardenia, spanish lavender, rosemary, azaleas and some vinca minor periwinkle for ground cover.  I went with the variegated leaves on the vinca minor because the area is part shade in the later afternoon.  The photos don't show much because I went for the 1 gallon size plants, but cross my fingers by next summer everything will fill in.  

Plus right after I took this photo the neighbors dog ran right into in and stepped on most the plants :(

 Speaking of bad neighbors they are the reason I have been talking about bamboo non stop and finding the perfect clumping bamboo.

 This window with a board over it is what I get to look at from my kitchen and deck everyday.  Their kids would stare out the window and drive the dogs nuts.  No surprise the window broke and now is an open hole with a muddy board over it.  I am going to water the bamboo and hope it grows in fast to cover this eye sore.  

 The Snowball Viburnum, I love this plant and I wish I had an acre of them!

 The grapes have taken off and lots of little grapes are starting to form.  There has been talk of wine making but I doubt the birds will let us get any of the fruit.

 A Jamie favorite, Elephant Ear

The alien tree has flowers for the first time!

The only bad news is the lattice that held up the jasmine in the backyard broke and looks like the jasmine has died off.  Not sure if I can bring it back around and not really even sure where I can move the jasmine to without anything to grow on.  That will be for another day and another project.