Bloomin' Saturday

What a beautiful morning!  Calm winds and just the right coolness for a walk around the yard.  I am just amazed at the changes that have occurred in a week.

Our peach trees bloomed last week and the blooms are already gone, the hyacinths, crocus, and daffodils are finished for the year as well.

But in their place this week...

 Tulips

 

 

This is my absolute favorite tree.  I have heard in the past that redbud trees are not a long lasting tree.  My parents bought this house in 1977 and this tree was mature then.  It continues a show this spring.

This redbud was a start from the old one that we planted a few years back.  Rabbits just about killed it the first couple winters when it was but a twig.  They liked to feast on it. 

Redbud blossoms

Not a very good picture, but this is our dwarf cherry tree.

Cherry blossoms

PJM Rhododendron

I didn't get my ivy out of my window box in time last fall and just left it.  I think it may have been a good thing.  It seems to be alive still with plenty of extra for cuttings.  It probably would not have made it had it not been such a mild winter.

Wild violets.  I don't have the heart to pull these where they pop up.

Viburnum.  My husband and I pruned this bush very hard this spring.  It was quite an unsightly thing.  I wanted to yank it out, but we decided to try the pruning first.  It does have pretty blooms.  They don't smell as sweet as some viburnums though.

Another of my favorite spring trees...crabapple.

Crabapple blossoms.  It won't be long until this tree is a favorite of bees. 

Wolf River apple blossom

Soon the backyard will be fragranced by these lilacs.

Grape hyacinth

Baby Maple leaves

No kidding, these were just poking out of the ground last weekend.  Now look at them!

Shot of front flower bed.

A Man With a Saw...

Overall, it was a productive day outdoors.  I uncovered most of the flower beds from their cover of leaves.  I would never have guessed the amount of leaves that were on those beds.  Lots!!  Trimmed up dead material from the bushes and flowers.  I do wish that it would have been about 65* and overcast rather than 80's and sunny.  It just doesn't seems right for March.  Many record high temperatures.  The forsythias, peach trees, and magnolias are all blooming, and the lilacs, roses, perennial grasses and many trees are leaving out.  It literally feels like you could watch the world awaken from it's winter slumber in a matter of a few days.  A little quick for my liking.  It just seems SO EARLY.

I had talked my husband into keeping me company while I worked on my south bed which turned into yet another project all together.

He accomplished a task that he has talked about wanting to do for a few years. 

 

The lower branches of our Blue Spruce were just lying on the ground and difficult to mow around.  The needles are very stiff and prickly.  Not very attractive.  It was also getting wide enough that it was encroaching on my south bed.

 

Enter a man with a saw...  What is it about men with saws?  They seem to get a secret enjoyment from chopping things down and into pieces.  I typically get worried when the saw comes out.  :)

Note the great extra help we had today...  :)

One by one, the branches came down and the area was opened up.

Branches all gone and time to rake up many years of needles.  They were several inches thick.

Our very helpful assistant...our youngest, Lauren.  Child labor is alive and well!

Cleaned up.  This south bed is the one that I am wanting to redo this spring.  It has been a bit neglected the last few years.  We talked about bringing the bed out and around the tree area. 

Lauren put an old bench under the tree for decoration.