Irises

Honestly, I was a tiny bit disappointed. I LOVE Iris. When I noticed the large number of flowerless Iris in our new home's back yard I was excited. The home where I grew up was surrounded by a lovely dark purple shade of Iris and I suppose, for sentimentality, that I had hoped these might be similar or even a mix of colors. When they came back this spring, however, I learned that they are all a very pale yellow. They are definitely pretty, don't get me wrong, but I think I am going to have to pick up a few other colors for variety.

It's pond time - Step by Step

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a hole

This is the rock we chose for the border

The hardest part was putting in the liner

Liner trimmed and a layer of rock

And finally some plants

It's Pond Time!

Jason finally gave me the go ahead. I can't even begin to explain how thrilled am I that we are finally going to have a pond here. I have always had an obsession with back yard ponds. The water, the plants, the animals that live amongst them are just all so fascinating to me! I have always tried to build at least a small pond at every place I have lived and when our yard had a large square of dirt toward the back with nothing growing there, everything inside me said dig. I started researching ponds online to decide what direction I wanted to go in. Here are a few photos that inspired me. I apologize for not taking down info so that I could give credit to all of the owners. I will try to find these pictures online again so I can.

Well planted and very green

 It doesn't have to be big to be beautiful; love the ferns and hostas

I like the shape of this one

And the border on this one

And really everything on Wiseacres inspires me! It's my favorite blog!

Wiseacres

Wiseacres

New Bird Bath

I brought home a new bird bath basin today. It took a lot of looking to find it and it is perfect! It had a few cracks, but there were no others like it anywhere so Stone Garden filled the cracks and gave me a really good deal. I was so excited to put it in our yard! It matches even better than I thought it would.

Moonflowers

I planted some Moonflower seeds a little while ago and they are just about ready to transplant outside. I can't wait to see big, white flowers gleaming in the moonlight!

Things We Missed Last Spring

Most of these were already gone by the time we bought our home last summer and I was excited to see them pop up this spring. The squirrel has been talking to us for the last year, but the bird feeder is new.

Red Tulips in the front

A bird feeder I got that was supposed to protect little birds; just apparently not from squirrels

Magnolia Stellata I believe

Oregon Grape Holly

Grape Hyacinths

Purple Rock Cress

Lilacs

Helleborus - Not sure what type

Primrose

No clue what this tiny guy is - Anyone?

Crabapple tree #1

Ligularia - I think

Crabapple tree #2

Lonely birdbath/gazing ball stand surrounded by Sweet Woodruff