What is more beautiful than a garden in the Spring? What a refreshing change to see all the vibrant greens of the new foliage and the bright colors of the Spring flowers after a long, cold winter.
Weather permitting, it’s a ritual with me to spend at least an hour in my gardens each morning around 7:00 a.m. With a cup of tea in hand, I stroll amidst the beauty accompanied only by the sounds of the birds and crickets. Occasionally I stop to pull a weed or two, deadhead a spent bloom or loosen the soil with a trowel.
It seems like almost every day there’s something new that comes into bloom. The daffodils are gone for another year and the tulips should follow in another week…just in time for the irises to make their debut.
I still need a few more annuals for my containers which I’ll probably pick up in the next day or two.
Nearest the house is the first of two shade gardens which only gets about 3-4 hours of early morning sun.
We had the large boulder brought in when we started landscaping four summers ago.
This is our second shade garden at the back of the yard and this location only gets about two hours of early morning sunlight. The rest of the day it is in the shadow of the out building and a large basswood tree.
The aroma from this deep burgundy lilac is intoxicating.
We installed this raised bed of twice-blooming irises two summers ago. The first blooms should happen within the next two weeks and then each plant will re-bloom in early September.
Here is the other side of the yard with yet another huge boulder to add interest and texture.
Notice the pretty orange perennial azalea in the foreground.
And there’s our Westie Mac in the distance chasing another squirrel up the tree.
When we bought our house four years ago, it was a new build with just bare ground and had no landscaping. Sam and I did most of the work ourselves with the exception of the stonework patio area. As with all gardens, they are a continual work in progress and labor of love.
Thanks for coming on the tour with me. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did…and please come again.
Remember to take time to smell the flowers and as always…
Happy stitching!
Kaaren
What a gorgeous yard. No surprise since you've given us peeks inside your home. I knew the yard had to be as pretty. I've never heard of twice blooming irises. Ours are in bloom now. GORGEOUS lilac.
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoyed your garden tour very much! You have a beautiful yard. If you want, you can come and make mine look like that!
ReplyDeleteyour garden is just beautiful kaaren! i can see why you enjoy spending so much time there. i'd love to see more pics when your other flowers are in bloom.
ReplyDeletehugs,
julie xox
After selling his house about ten years ago, a friend brought over a few items he hadn't had time to do anything with. Two of those items were fake rocks. They are hard plastic and look so real. One is in the middle of our front yard in the grass and the other is among flowers. To mow the lawn around the rock, my husband or son just lifts off the half rock and puts it back when finished. I would love to find a few more.
ReplyDeleteI wish my garden looked half as nice as yours.
Oh...You have a very very beautiful GARDEN...love it...wish mine could look like that... :o) When we first moved to outr house.. I made so many new beds...and bought so many flowers... ahh ..how I loved it... but with the years... son did grow..and now its no use having a garden.. we have a "tenniscourt" at the yard instead..lol... the flowers do get hit so many times that its no use having them... what do we not do for the kids!! :o))
ReplyDeleteWow, what a lovely garden to spend your mornings in. I am sure there is something new to see everyday. I just read your comment on Stephanie's blog. You speak Japanese? It is one language I would really love to learn. I love the way it sounds.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous yard and garden! Beautiful! Looks like the photos could be in a magazine!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your gardens are absolutely gorgeous! An artistic creation for sure. Thank you for the tour, I enjoyed it. Your yard feels peaceful and a beautiful place to spend time in.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nourishing way to start your day! It's no wonder you blossom with creativity after taking these lovely gardens in.
ReplyDeleteMac is a lucky boy as well to enjoy such a nice space and squirrels too. :-)
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Oh my, Kaaren - this is the best garden tour I've had yet this year - what beautiful venues you've planted! Your white bleeding heart makes my heart bleed! Isn't it incredible how a place that can get so cold in the winter can bloom so beautifully in the spring? You and Sam must be so proud of your efforts!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Very impressive yard. But so much work....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour of your gardens. They are gorgeous! I had never heard of twice-blooming iris. I will have to try to find some. I have some really pretty once-bloomers - wish I could send you some but I'm sure Customs would not allow it! Your azalea and lilac are stunning! Keep a watch out for unusual campanula varieties - they are easy perennials and can be quite stunning.
ReplyDeleteI just knew your yard would look like this...spectacular!! You and your husband have done such a beautiful job with everything. I agree with Sherri, it should be in a magazine.
ReplyDelete~Karen~
Kaaren, please come landscape my yard. Yours is beautiful and I would be out there every morning also. Loved the tour.
ReplyDeleteKeep Stitchen'
Bonnie
Beautiful garden, Kaaren. Thank you for sharing your photos with us.
ReplyDeleteI wish my yard was as lovely as yours. My lilacs are in bloooom!
ReplyDelete