Friday, May 13, 2011

A stroll around the yard...

It's been so beautiful lately, so I wandered around the yard and snapped some photos to share with  you...
I know I showed you the hoppa crab trees from inside the other day, but I had to take a few more because they are just so beautiful.

I'm not sure if Mr. & Mrs. Wren have officially moved into this birdhouse yet. They have been checking it out, along with others in the backyard. I'll keep you posted.

Every year we toy with the idea of cutting off the lower branches to make mowing easier. But every year we expand the bark mulch a bit more because we just can't bring ourselves to cut them off.

As you can see, these were taken almost a week later than the previous... The blossoms are now a pale pink and have started dropping off the tree at at a furious rate, thereby carpeting the lawn in pink.

I love everything about these trees, including their gnarly branches.


Goodbye, sweet apple blossoms. I will look forward to seeing you again next year.

Adding to the pink show in the front yard is our bleeding heart. It is, by far, the fastest 'grower' in the yard. One day I will see tiny sprouts peeking out from the bark mulch...

... and in record time, the entire plant has skyrocketed out of the earth...

... covered with the most perfect little pink bleeding hearts.

I didn't plant these (that I remember!) but they pop up every spring, adding some much needed color to a far corner of the yard.

The honeysuckle is loaded with buds, which I'm sure the hummingbirds are keeping an eye on, just waiting for them to blossom!

This photo is from several weeks ago. I had just take the plastic off of my vintage Mary garden statue, and she clearly survived another cold winter. The cement paver should be replaced and the birdbath in the background (along with all the others) needed to be cleaned when this photo was taken (all the birdbaths have now been cleaned and the birds are happily bathing and drinking on a daily basis).

So thank you for peeking through the garden gate with me...

Now let's sit in the Adirondack chairs for a spell... This is the view, looking skyward. The birch tree leaves are just starting to open, giving it a lacy appearance.

Dad got home from the hospital/rehab yesterday, and life is changing for all of us... I promise I'll get around to visit you all soon. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day lately.

I hope you're enjoying spring wherever you are!

I'm linking up to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home... Come join everyone!

Donna

21 comments:

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Beyond lovely!!

Keep us posted about the wren family too.

Love the petals all over the ground.

Happy weekend,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Donna; I just love your garden,,,, the tree is gorgeous.. I don't think I could trim it either... I did not know you could plant Bleeding Hearts in the ground,,, I just love them,, so I am going to have to buy one..... I think we skipped Spring and jumped in to Summer,,, we are enjoying 80's here,,,,, have a great weekend.

Hugs;
Alaura

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thanks for taking us along with you around your beautiful garden. hugs ~lynne~

Pamela said...

Gorgeous photos Donna!! I love crab apple trees. My neighbour had one in my old neighbourhood..these photos brought back wonderful memories!!!

Kisses to Baby!!

Pamela xo

Susan said...

Donna, I have to say, your photos today are splendid----absolutely splendid. Those bleeding hearts are enchanting and the view up into the trees is great. ALL the photos are just lovely. Thanks for sharing. Susan

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Your crabapple tree is just gorgeous! Don't you just love spring?

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Oh...this is all so beautiful. Just lovely! Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a pretty stroll through your garden! Thank you! I love it when the trees drop their pretty petals to make a carpet.

bee blessed
mary

Unknown said...

such a lovely tree. I would be loath to cut it as well. such lovely photo's thank you for sharing them.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've never seen bleeding heart around these parts. Don't know if they grow here. I like your view through the trees!
Brenda

Elaine said...

You do have a beautiful spot there!
Everything has suddenly bloomed around here too. It's gorgeous.

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Donna - Your yard is just beautiful! We have crabapple and redbud trees on our property, too - along with pear, cherry, and apple. :) Aren't you so glad that spring has finally arrived? It's been such a long time coming! Everything looks so green and lush! Have a great weekend, my friend!

xoxo laurie

Southern Lady said...

Beautiful spring pictures! I am glad that your dad is home...praying for a speedy recovery! I especially love the last picture. I believe that I could sit for hours and stare at the sky! Carla

Donna said...

Wow, Donna...just gorgeous...each and every picture! I can almost smell the blossoms! Beautiful!

Audrey Pettit said...

Your yard looks just beautiful! Love the bleeding heart. I've tried growing those, but never had any success.
Visiting from Show & Tell Friday. TFS!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh what beautiful, beautiful pics!
We are so behind this year and I am just starting to see my bleeding heart start to grow. Can't wait until it looks like yours!
The trees are amazing and I would never cut a single branch!
Happy Weekend,
Cindy

Claudia said...

The tree is gorgeous, Donna. My goodness, what loveliness. I love the shot you took of the birdhouse through the branches of the tree.

Oh, how this makes me miss my garden! But at least I can live vicariously through your beautiful photos. By the way, I love the way your blog looks, Donna.

xo
Claudia

Donna said...

Thank you for such a lovely visit to your back yard!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Donna~ ~ Your Bleeding Heart is beautiful. I love them so much. Lovely yard you have thanks for sharing.

CEDAR JUNCTION said...

I was just relaxing and blog surfing and happened upon yours. I love your backyard; it is very special. It makes me want to get out and do some yardwork.

I HOpe your Dad is doing well.

SMIles,
Teresa

Attic Clutter said...

hoppa crab trees ,,beautiful and all the pics are eye candy (:)
Bleeding heart ..boo hoo I used to have one .. the winter must have taken it away.. oxop