front and back yard tour

The weather here continues to be "perfect" - in the 70's and 80's with low humidity.

We had one rainy day this week, but we really needed it. I worked in the yard for a 

little while this morning, went to physical therapy, came home and worked in the

yard for a few more hours. It feels so good to be outside on days like today.

This little area in front of our house has always been my "sore spot". It's right there 

when you're walking up to our house and is against the garage. It only gets partial sun,

 so the plants and bushes that we've tried along the years have never thrived. 

We had hydrangeas for a couple of years, but that's as long as they lasted. We've tried 

growing clematis up the "trellises" - fail.  These "trellises" are actually the side

pieces to an iron arbor that we used to have. Until one harsh winter where it fell over

and broke into pieces. Instead of putting the two side pieces in the trash, we decided

to upcycle and use them as trellises.  The two green plants in front are some kind of

native prairie plant. Can't remember their name. In July, they produce the most 

beautiful flowers. Anyway, for now I'm sticking with some potted flowers instead

of sticking more bushes in the ground.

 So here's what it looks like as you're walking up to my house. The walkway to the

patio is on the left.

 In the back yard, the butterfly garden is really starting to take shape. Nothing is

blooming yet except for the columbine (back, left) and that's so short-lived. I tried

to fill in some bare spots today with a few zinnias - they add such a beautiful

pop of color, too. Looks like I need to find something else to plant in the bare spot

in front, but I don't want to spend anymore money on annuals. I'd love to plant some

bee balm, but that really spreads. I'll think of something! Oh - one mistake we made

when making the border out of wine bottles, was to not soak the labels off the bottles.

We thought that the rain and snow would soak them off naturally. Not so! Stuck on

forever. We'll have to replace those ugly labeled bottles with ones where we've soaked

the labels off. I've seen other garden borders where people have used glass jars

and have even glued marbles and stones on top of the jars.

Speaking of columbine, I got a good close-up shot the other day. I just love these

flowers.This one had a cottonwood seed stuck to it, too. Those suckers have been

blowing all over the place lately.

 This little circle garden in the back yard has two plants that were divided from

the butterfly garden (the two tall ones - and of course, I can't remember the name -

they will have beautiful purple flowers on them soon), straw flowers, rhubarb, and a

new rose bush (thanks to my mom!). I still need a few more rocks to complete 

the border.

About 13 years ago, Brian and Phil planted these arborvitae trees when they were only

three feet tall. I'm so glad we chose to do this instead of installing a privacy fence. The

trees are much prettier! And give a lot more privacy than a fence, too. We're trying to

 disguise the compost barrel...Brian transplanted day lilies around the barrel last fall. We 

also put down grass seed a couple of times last month, but there's still some bare

patches in that area that needed tending to.

My little veggie garden against the back of the house...tomatoes, zucchini, 

Brussels sprouts, (half dead/live hydrangea in the middle), and peas

climbing up the upcycled crib springs trellis that aren't doing so well.

I didn't get a photo of my entire herb garden...I planted two small rosemary

plants today. But I got a photo of how the lemon balm and mint are taking

over. I always have to dig some out every year, otherwise it would consume

the entire herb garden.

Have a great weekend!