Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has finally arrived at Eastlake Victorian! This past week has brought warm weather and more blooming plants. Here's a look at what we have blooming this week in the garden.

King Alfred Daffodils

The King Alfred Daffodils are almost done blooming.

Blue Jacket Hyacinths

The Blue Jacket Hyacinths are emitting their beautiful fragrance, perfuming the whole yard!

Royal Star Magnolia

Royal Star Magnolia-Close-up

The Royal Star Magnolia has taken a beating this past week, as heavy rains tried to knock the petals from our little tree.

<span class=

Vinca vines, always filling in the empty spots!

<span class=

<span class=

The PJM Rhododendron is right outside our door, making me happy whether I'm coming or going!

Grape Hyacinths

Grape Hyacinths. You have to put your nose right on them, but they do smell like grapes!

Siberian <span class=

Siberian Bugloss. It does well in shade or sun, and has skipped around the yard on its own, but is never invasive.

Dandelion

Oh no! Dandelions already! Husband Terry has gone out to try and tackle them.

Old Saucer Magnolia

The old Saucer Magnolia has seen better days, yet today the blossoms look as though they will put on a nice show this year!

Bleeding Hearts almost open!

The Bleeding Hearts are almost open!

View from the back of the yard

View from the back of the yard.

Our brush pile and compost heaps

Our brush pile and compost heaps.

Our side parkway-what to plant

A few years ago, I dug up a long stretch of grass in the middle of the side parkway. I've been planting wildflower seeds every year, with hit-and-miss results. I'm thinking of putting in something more permanent, and can't grow anything over about 3 feet tall (as there is an intersection here, and we can't block the view). It gets about a half day of sun. Any suggestions?

View of side yard

The old Forsythia has been very disappointing the last few years. We've tried cutting it back, and not cutting it back. The blooms are pitiful, so it's got to go. But I think I'll try to take some cuttings and grow a new plant before I kill the whole thing.

Forsythia cuttings

At least I've gotten some cuttings full enough to bring indoors. They last so long, and the bright yellow makes me happy!

Labels: ,

19 Comments:

Blogger The Blackwood Cottage said...

I love the photos. So clear, they really capture the beauty.
Machelle

April 11, 2010 at 9:39 PM  
Blogger Sea Witch said...

Love your photos and home. Great new blog background too. Sea Witch

April 11, 2010 at 9:57 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thank you, Machelle!

-Pam

April 12, 2010 at 1:26 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thanks, Sea Witch!

-Pam

April 12, 2010 at 1:26 PM  
Blogger GwendolynKay said...

Lucky you all those gorgeous blooms. I too cut some fosythia and put it in a vase on my table (tomorrow's post) ours is very wild, no matter how I prune it , it has long viney twigs. Thinking of cutting it out completely.
Gwen

April 12, 2010 at 4:04 PM  
Blogger Dana and Daisy said...

i'm going to be thinking about your bed by the stop sign, do you want all the same thing, or different plants?

April 12, 2010 at 4:43 PM  
Blogger The Victorian Parlor said...

Pam,

Your flowers are absolutely stunning! The pictures are glorious and show the beauty of the flowers so well:).

Blessings,

Kim

April 12, 2010 at 7:21 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Gwendolyn-

I'm think of getting rid of this one and getting a more compact variety. Even when I prune this one, it grows about 6 ft. a year!

-Pam

April 12, 2010 at 10:05 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Dana-

I was thinking of a a variety of plants for a progression of blooms throughout the season. Also, plants that will spread well so they will fill in the blanks (and I won't have to spend a fortune)! Any ideas? The thing is, anything I plant that is Zone 4 and up dies after only a few years...

-Pam

April 12, 2010 at 10:11 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thank you, Kim! Nothing like a nice, sunny day for bringing out the beauty of nature! :)

-Pam

April 12, 2010 at 10:16 PM  
Blogger The Sweetbrier Cottage said...

Spring flowers are just so beautiful! Everything is blooming like crazy in the Atlanta area but we are covered, and I do mean covered, in pollen. Do y'all have that problem too?

Great photos!

April 13, 2010 at 4:50 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sweetbrier-

Visible pollen? The weathermen give pollen counts here and tell us what days are worse for allergy sufferers, but most of it doesn't bother me. Only ragweed affects me, and people around here keep that in check pretty well.

-Pam

April 14, 2010 at 8:08 PM  
Blogger Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

Being in Southern Ontario, Canada, I'm still waiting for Spring to spring to it's fullest, but it's starting and it feels great. Those are lovely pics!

Anyes
XX

April 15, 2010 at 6:37 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Anyes-

Thank you! I'm glad Spring is finally arriving in your area. Doesn't the warmer air feel wonderful! :)

-Pam

April 16, 2010 at 11:33 AM  
Blogger Teresa said...

For the parkway, I bet you could do some hostas along with some brighter, blooming plants? But I guess hosta isn't very Victorian...

April 19, 2010 at 9:45 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Teresa-

Yes, hosta is pretty Victorian, and that might be a good idea! I have a bunch of hosta in a spot now for years that I don't think works well, so maybe I can try moving them over to the parkway. They need dividing anyway! That would give it a nice structure and greenery for whatever else I put in there.

-Pam

April 20, 2010 at 9:48 PM  
Blogger The Rustic Victorian said...

I imagine you sit on your porch, planning the yard, and watching how it transforms. You have a wonderful old house and neighborhood.
Marcie

May 1, 2010 at 7:33 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Marcie-

There is a lot of garden planning going on in my head, especially this time of year! I really enjoy it.

Thank you for your kind words!

-Pam

May 1, 2010 at 10:14 PM  
Blogger La Petite Gallery said...

Happy Mothers Day, the post is lovely.

Guess what??? I just TAGGED YOU>
so go to my site and scroll to the second post

yvonne

May 7, 2010 at 1:31 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home