Click Plant Grow Blog Circle : Garden Bed

Spring has sprung? Hmmmmm, well for a short time here in upstate NY I thought it had and by golly was overjoyed that the darn Punxsutawney Phil was finally right! Then, last Sunday night it happened. We all woke up to a layer of white stuff on the ground. Enter a few choice words here:  *%$#@&*!
Any sign of spring growth was covered in white. I did panic just a weeeeeee bit but kept my fingers crossed that the spring sprouts survived this weather shock.  Lord knows I barely survived the snow shock myself.  At this point, the snow has melted but the temps have been slow to rise. Warmer weather can not get here fast enough for me. I did manage to take a few photos of the early signs of spring around here before mother nature pulled her little stunt.  Everything still looks pretty brown and dead but I assure you that there is a sprinkling of green popping up.  I admit I am what one would call "A lazy gardener" as I have mostly perennial flowers that require very little work once planted. I then like to fill up a variety of pots with annual plantings which only require a simple trip to the local nursery. In the end, lazy gardener or not, I still get to enjoy pretty colors all season long. Of course, as long as there is no bug infestation.
Allow me to take you on a little tour of the mostly brown garden around our home.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

Our humble home.

(Canon 50mm f/1.4)

Here we have our Azaleas, Snowball bush and burning bushes. I like that between these three the colors are changing throughout the season. 

 

 

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



The Azalea's are showing some signs of waking up. 

 

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

As are the buds on the burning bushes. 

 

 

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



The buds on the snowball bush are by far the creepiest that I have ever seen. Each spring I look at them and just shake my head that something so beautiful can come from something that looks so demonic.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

These here have a name. I just have no idea what it is.
 

These thin little branches will produce soft tiny little lime green colored leaves. During late summer it will then bloom clusters of tiny little purple flowers. Anyone know what this is called? 

Also, please excuse the remnants of past Halloween spiderweb decorations.  Carry on.

(Canon 50mm f/1.4)

My personal favorite: Hydrangea. This variety produces blooms that start out white but then turn to a light lime green/purple combination.

 

(Canon 50mm f/1.4)

After the winter, they look like this.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

I am always so excited to see the daffodils start to come up. It brings hope that warmer weather is on the way.

  (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

As I head to the back of the house we have a small covered porch. Mostly potted and a few hanging plants will reside here.  Don't mind the back patio. Currently it looks like we are members of the Clampetts but it will improve....

 

 

 (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

A few potted plants will take a seat in this old baby carriage for the summer.

 

 

                                                  (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) 

 My Kids have lovingly named this guy "Frank."  Why? We have no idea. They said he looked like a Frank.  Looks like this past winter was a bit rough on Frank. We may have to try to spruce him up as well!

 

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



Yes I know, currently our little oasis looks like a giant cesspool. A little TLC and we will get this baby up and running.  A few pretty blooms along the back side and it will be pretty again. Hopefully. Come on warm weather! 

(Canon 50mm f/1.4)

Yes, as you can see someone did not quite empty out all of her pots this past fall making for more clean up work this spring. Yeah me!


Lets take a look as to what is happening around here....

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



My Little Hens and Chicks. Aren't they cute?  I have no idea why they are named that. They look nothing like a hen and chick. I wish someone could explain the logic behind the name.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

 



(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



This thorny bush, although beautiful with its deep burgundy leaves, always lets me know who is really in charge around here whenever I have to give it a trim.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



Succulents. They amaze me as to how they survive such extreme changes in temperature.

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

 





(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

Cut sticks now, Fountain Grass later.

 

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)



I wish I knew the name of this plant. It is one of my favorites. It is very dark green and soft but will produce numerous little yellow daisy like flowers that last all summer into the fall.

The beloved Black Eyed Susan          (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)     

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

Yellow Lilly                  

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

More Daffodils

(Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6)

And of course lets not forget the pesky WEEDS!!!!  They are ruthless!

Well I hope you enjoyed the tour of my brown garden. I look forward to replacing these photos with colorful ones in the future.

I am very fortunate to be taking part in a gardening blog circle "Click Plant Grow"  along with some other wonderful ladies documenting the planning, planting and progress of our gardens. Please follow along the circle and read about not only the progress of their own gardens but enjoy the wonderful photography documenting their progress.

Please continue along the blog circle and visit Christine Singleton next by clicking HERE to view and enjoy her wonderful work!

Happy Spring,

~Lisa