Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Thursday Thirteen # 4Hydrangea update et. el.

1. This week marked 6 years in our house. I was largely pregnant with Noah and couldn't do anything with out yard that was truly DEAD at the time. To prove my point, this was the picture taken the day we brought Noah home from the hospital. Look at the lawn, not my big belly.



















13. The following spring, this was my only attempt at foliage.
These bushes have since died and been recycled. The two lilac bushes and the cherry tree below, along with the bricks, are in that space now. This is the only way I can feel that there has been any growth in our landscape plan.





So over the next few years, we have attempted MANY different things. Each year for my birthday (next week), my parents take me to a local greenhouse and get me some plants for our yard. Some have taken, some have not. I have reseeded our lawn twice and I swear by Scott's 4 step plan for fertilizer. If it weren't for the %^&# moles, we would be sitting pretty.

Yesterday when I was sitting in the living room folding laundry with the window open, I got a wonderful breeze with the scent of lilac blowing in. I was so happy to know that something was successful in one of my little garden beds. Here are the best and worse of my attempts.

3. Hydrangea Week 1














4. Hydrangea Week 3














5. Hydrangea Week 4












6. Hydrangea Week 6 after the transplant














7. Hydrangea week 8


I think it looks A LITTLE better than a week ago










8. New hydrangea week 3














9. Lilac bush that will hopefully still bloom...it is definitely bigger. Last year it didn't reach the top of the window frame.



















10. Lilac bush that's actually blooming



















11. Noah's apple blossom tree that had blossoms a week ago



















12. Aaron's cherry tree that is too young to blossom



















13. Scant hostas that will hopefully fill in the next decade. I have tried flowers around this tree every year for five years. The moles eat them every year. I decided to put in perennials instead and then I won't have to worry about it every year. After my birthday next week, there will be four more added.















I know this yard is certainly not glamorous, but when I look at pictures from when we moved in 6 years ago, I feel as if we have done the very best we could. I imagine we will still be in the house 50 years from now, so 50 years more of changing landscape could bring amazing things.

Happy Thursday.

16 comments:

Deb said...

You have done an amazing job with your yard over the years. I am always in awe of how wonderful your lawn looks! And you have so many flowering plants now - it's really coming along. :)

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I love lilac bushes. I don't know about moles eating them, but the hostas should be very happy under that tree otherwise.

bethn said...

I love hydrangeas and yours look gorgeous. I think your transplanted one does look a little better.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sis-

The lilacs look great and the hydrangeas should grow like weeds.

I love the cherry tree; Although apple blossoms are my favorite (State FLower of Michigan!), I love the cherry blossoms. There was a movie wiht Tom Cruise about samurai in it that came out a few years ago, where one of the samurai said to Tom Cruise "All cherry blossoms are perfect"; I just hope the tree doesnt uproot the house when it grow up:-0 :-)
-mfb

Courtney said...

I kill everything I plant. I wish I could blame it on the moles, but I can't.

Unknown said...

I love lilac bushes. I think it is where you live, being here in WI myself I know it can really be hit or miss with planting on whether it works out. Give it time.
Happy TT, hope you'll visit my 33rd TT...Fragments of Life at The Cafe.

www.frogparenting.blogspot.com said...

I am not good with flowers, or plants-- So, my dear husband plants and attempts to tend to our yard.-- We fight squirrels and raccoons-- not to mention my son who likes to water like a ...ummm Superhero! --The poor plants ~ We also have black walnut trees in our front yard-- and the stuff that falls from them isn't helpful to anything growing!

Mom Knows Everything said...

The lilac tree is gorgeous! I love lilacs!

Amy Plumb said...

I think things are looking pretty good. There is something you can do to get rid of the moles, and I can't think of it. If it comes to me I'll return and let you know.
Amy

Mom said...

I just planted a hydrangea hopefully it will do well and I need to look into the lilac tree.

Dad of Divas said...

You are becomming quite the green thumb! Keep it up!

Laura Paxton said...

I gave up...Our yards all died on me...and now we are in military housing...maybe someday I'll have a yard to call my own!

Great progress! Happy T-13!

Shana said...

What a beautiful lawn!

I have lots of pots in mine. Just as the lilac, my uncle transplanted quite a few of my plants from my house into pots. I am glad that I was able to take some of my lawn with me...lol! I will have to share the pictures sometime.

Jennifer Chasse said...

I love lilacs. They smell so good. When all that stuff gets big and is in bloom your yard will be just like Better Homes and Gardens.

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

The Lilacs are lovely and -thanks for sharing the journey to a beautiful garden.
Quite the green thumb you are.


thanks for visiting me
My Little Drummer boys

Tina@ SendChocolateNow said...

Your yard looks better than mine, that's all I am going to say about that. Pretty!

My T13 is up as well.
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