Finally.......Spring!

Signs of Spring.......

*The temperatures are a tad bit warmer. 

* The sun is peeking out now and then.

*I had to refill my bird feeder for the goldfinches.

*The tulips are looking great!

*The hostas are on their way.

*And (my favorite) phlox is looking gorgeous!

*Bud's baby magnolia tree is looking good!

And the last sign of spring around here is that.....

I spent five hours working outside Saturday, mulching, raking,

pulling weeds, etc.  My muscles were so sore I could hardly sleep that night!!

Happens every year, so you'd think I'd learn.

I love spring and flowers, but it sure takes a lot of work.

Spring Things

 Spring is in full bloom here, and we're loving it!  The gorgeous red tulips on the south side of our house were beautiful, although I took this picture in the morning so they didn't look as good as they could have.

The phlox is a pretty purple.  The only problem with phlox is that the blossoms don't last long enough!

The hostas seem to be growing by inches each and every day.

We bought a Magnolia tree to plant in place of the redbud that died.  I love redbuds, but we spent a lot of money on one and it only lasted two years.  :(  We were looking at bedding plants last night and I REALLY wanted to get my plants for the planters.  BUT it is still April which means we may get frost and I'd have to worry about them.  So, I gave in and waited.  I hope they have good ones when I go back.  We'll be putting mulch out tomorrow.  And how is your spring?

Flower Beds

I love flowers, but with our addition we still are in somewhat of a transition, so I don't have any flower beds by the house. I have been working on a flower bed by my fence south of the house. It actually got started when we were getting ready to dig. I had to move the plants or lose them! Soooooo, we moved a bunch to the south fence line. Last year because fo back problems I was unable to do much in the way of yardwork so they were REALLY weedy! This year, however, I have been trying to keep on top of the weeds.



This is the east end of the bed.








The middle.



And the west end of the bed.










In the bed are lots of hostas, irises, lilies, sedum, purple cone flower, phlox, a rose bush, and a clematis. The rose bush was new last year and was almost dead this spring. We cut it back and it is starting to do well. The clematis is a cutting from a friend's mother. It is fall blooming and I am excited to see it thrive.

We adopted some lilies from Trina and Tanner. The first one has bloomed!

Along the south side of the house I have day lilies. which are native to Iowa, a clematis, burning bush, some daisies, phlox, mums, and impatiens.

I love the lavendar clematis!

And the impatiens look so nice in the bucket on the milk can. I have one of these on each side of the garage door.

I like to accessorize the garden beds with things like birdhouses, little fences, benches, flags, and other decorations. Doesn't this little guy look cute reading his book in the flower bed?

All of the trees in our front yard are surrounded by hostas. By the east end of the south flower bed we also have an area with the flag, a redbud tree, two burning bushes, hostas, phlox, and another plant.(I can't think of it's name!) One of the garages is bordered by peony bushes and hostas, and the back driveway is lined with hostas. I also have a patio area in the back that contains , hostas, tiger lilies, and day lilies in addition to a container full of phlox that I use to replant in different areas. I also have a bunch of irises in the garden just waiting to be replanted by the house.



Having flower beds are a lot of work, but so beautiful to look at! Now, if someone would just get rid of my creeping charlie and morning glories I would really be happy!!