Tuesday, April 20, 2010

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY: MY BACKYARD

I am hooking up with Susan for Outdoor Wednesday today as I finally have some things blooming in my backyard. Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer to see beautiful outdoor pictures and be sure to leave some comments.

Above is a birdhouse I have had forever. I found it in Michigan and it has a Michigan license plate for a top and half of a tin can for a little 'awning'. I have a little family of sparrows in it right now. It's on my patio and I think I scare them when I go out there. Lucky for them it is still a little too cool to be out.
This is my herb garden. The chives, oregano and tarragon come up every year on their own and then I like to add a little basil and rosemary. These are the herbs I use the most. My friend at the lakehouse, Susie, grows a lot of great herbs and I like to borrow from her. Luckily, she doesn't mind. :-) The oregano can grow like crazy, I wish I had planted it in a pot. I just keep it trimmed around the edges so it doesn't choke everything out. And when it gets warmer I add some colorful annuals to make it pretty.
I grow tulips and daffodils along this fence. Each fall I plant about 100 new bulbs. It would be overgrown by now but for the fact that The Husband was cleaning out this bed a few years ago and dug up and threw out all of my bulbs. He had no clue what they were. So I had to start from scratch. As you can see, Milo loves sniffing around in my garden.
I'm trying to add more colors as it seems I have way too much red and yellow. Below are some close up pictures of the flowers.



I love the little fringe on the edges of these.
And I love the pointed tips on these.
This is bleeding heart in a corner of my yard that gets a ton of shade. This is something you should plant in those areas. They really like to be shrouded.
And this is some sort of ground cover that grows in another flower bed that has day lily's. It thrives on neglect. I wish I knew the name...I'd put it everywhere so I could sit on my bum a little more in the summer.


Tomorrow I am planting my vegetable garden. I usually grow lettuce, spinach, beans, zucchini, eggplant, carrots and tomatoes. The rabbits usually eat most of it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for your visit! :-)

99 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

I hope you get some of those veggies that the rabbit usually gets to! I love your flowers. Those tulips are breath taking. And the birdhouse. Never met a birdhouse I didn't like!
Brenda

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Your gardens are great! I have to tend to my herb garden yet. Your tulips are gorgeous! Have fun planting!
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

KarenB said...

Your tulips are beautiful. I can't really grow them here. I think maybe as annuals. Bleeding heart is my absolute favorite. I have one, but it's being really slow about coming up this year. I hope it doesn't give up! Thanks for showing us your yard. I'm hoping we see lots of good cooking out of the herbs and veggies!

Ticking and Toile said...

Wonderful tulips Jane! I got a whopping 3 this year......:} Your garden looks beautiful ~ love the bleeding heart especially!

xo,
Shellagh

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Jane...boy do I love those tulips. They are something else. Wow....I love it too when there are lots of tulips everywhere clumped together so you see all the color together. In Palm Springs they do that....they will clump colors together so you see a profusion of all red or yellow or one right after the other...I love that. Your place just looks wonderful!!!
Blessings,
Debbie

Deb said...

Your garden looks wonderful already Jane! We have a shady spot in our garden with a little brick path and yesterday I was shocked at the growth of the bleeding heart there :-) I LOVE your Michigan birdhouse {filled with Sparrows ...even better} ♥

Pamela said...

Beautiful gardens Jane!!
There is nothing nicer than a herb garden.. I can't wait to plant one.
Have a wonderful day!
Pamela xo

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Jane, these tulips are gorgeous! I love the fringy pink ones. I will have to remember that bleeding hearts like lots of shade. I have a shady area that I can't seem to get anything to grow in. I will try those!

have a great day!

Lou Cinda :)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Your tulips are glorious Jane! I have a bleeding heart too, but it's not as far along as yours. Love those! I love the kind that thrive on neglect, they're the best!
Hugs, Cindy

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

your gardens are looking sooo pretty! I haven't even tilled my vegetable garden yet...need to get moving!

Bonnie said...

Hi Jane, I love tulips! In fact I really prefer them to roses. Your garden is beautiful and Milo looks like he is enjoying himself too!

Bonnie

Lori said...

I adore your tulip garden! Mine are up but no blossoms yet ~ the pleasures of living in the northeast!! I used to have 2 bleeding heart bushes but they were choked out so it is something I want to replant ~ maybe this year!

Unknown said...

Wow, those tulips look amazing! What a wonderful thing to look forward to each spring.

Stacey said...

Very pretty and springy. :)

Did I tell you that my son is going to go to school in Chicago? We are very excited for him. I probably already told you.

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Your garden looks lovely! So many of our tulips disappeared, but I have to blame that on the squirrels! I should have so many!
When we were down in Ft. Lauderdale at Christmas, our intent was to go over to Naples. However, it was pretty chilly at that time and once we found a warm spot, no one was willing to move! Next time, I say, since you say that it is so beautiful!
~Nancy

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

I love that little girl statue doing a curtsy - my MIL had one like that and it is so nostalgic! I love herb gardens, too. Gorgeous flowers! Linda

Barb said...

Hi Jane,

Your garden is very colorful. Milo looks quite happy in it. The dirt is so hard here that it makes it difficult to plant but we still try.
It is not always successful but we try.

Thank you for visiting even when I am MIA. I am so excited about the new baby. Now I have to figure out how long it will take to swim to Hawaii-hehe. Dorothy and the girls will be leaving Ca. shortly after the baby is born.

big hugs,
Barb

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

So pretty!!! Love the tulips,they are my favorite!! hope you are well,Chrissy

Joanne Kennedy said...

Those tulips are so pretty! Do you find yourself cutting them to bring them inside? I never know if I should cut my flowers or leave them to grow and add color outside.

What a cute birdhouse. I've never had a bird live in one of mine. How cute!

Hugs,
Joanne

Nancy said...

Jane, just gorgeous! They are blooming now? I'm so confused on season's. I know I have been back in the northeast for four years, but I still am not on a four season schedule. I do love that tablerunner in a previous post! Just lovely.

Pondside said...

It always amazes me - how quickly some parts of the continent go from winter to summer - boom! Good luck with the vegetable garden. Your spring flowers are beautiful!

The Lazy Peacock said...

Your garden already looks amazing! those tulips are gorgeous!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

So pretty and colorful, Jane! Thanks for sharing your pretty flowers with us. :)
xo
Robin

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

oh Jane, your tulips are stunning! Love all of teh colors and varieties you have planted. laurie

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I absolutely adore tulips and sweetpeas are another favorite. Your garden looks so colorful...wish I had a green thumb!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your tulips are wonderful! I just love the multi colors....beautiful yard!

Signing Out said...

What a great birdhouse! Your tulips are beautiful, too.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Jane

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Spring has more than sprung in your backyard...so pretty!

Linda said...

Spring sure has sprung in your back yard! Everything looks beautiful!

I'm not one to plant bulbs or create a vegetable garden. I need to give both a try next year!

vignette design said...

You have a beautiful garden. Love all your flowers. Good luck with the veggie garden.

podso said...

your flowers are beautiful! So pretty along the fence.

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Your spring flowers are beautiful...
They would have been a salad bar for the deer in our yard.
First year here 200 tulip heads gone the night before they were ready to open up...
They didn't even leave a note saying how delish they were!
How rude!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

From the Old InkWell said...

Jane, your flowers are gorgeous. I just started an herb garden last year. Love the taste of fresh herbs in my recipes instead of dried that have been sitting on my shelf for weeks..er...months. Enjoyed reading about yours.

Marigene said...

Your tulips are gorgeous...every time I plant them the critters eat them before they ever emerge from underground, think it is squirrels.

Lori E said...

What a cute idea for the roof. I can't believe your hubby threw all those bulbs out. And lived to tell about it.
You must really love him.

Unknown said...

your flowers are gorgeous! and i love the roof of your birdhouse--so creative!:p

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Your garden is looking really pretty and very English. I haven't ventured out in mine much so far this year. I'm a bit of a fair weather gardener and my husband goes out there when it's cold !! haha.
We have bleeding heart, but mine is a different variety. It has more feathery leaves.
Enjoy the garden and have a great week. XXXX

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Jane your tulips are just beautiful, love all the color they provide, I'm afraid my Mr. would have been in a little trouble if he had dug all mine up. Ouch! Love the birdhouse. I have a robin's nest on my front porch, so now we have to go thru the garage all the time!
hugs,
Debra

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Jane,

Your garden is so Springy and colorful! I love how you used the rocks as border around the tulips!
Don't ya just love having fresh herbs handy for the pickin too?!!

Take care,
Sherri:)

Jan said...

Wow, your tulips are breathtaking .... I've always loved them but our climate is too hot to grow them. And your birdhouse, so rustic.
Thanks for visiting me and all the best.
Jan

Tina said...

Jane your garden is absolutely gorgeous and I am so in awe of your beautiful tulips! I think I desperately need to get some tips from you before Spring rolls back around here! I love your little birdhouse too:) Wishing you a wonderful week ~ Tina xx

Sonny G said...

You have a wonderful garden and your flowers are so dang pretty.. Ya gotta watch them Wasskilly Wabbits or they'll be having your herbs for dinner..

hugs
Sonny

Susan Freeman said...

I love Bleeding Heart. Mine just came up a couple of days ago. I know what you mean about Oregano, it pops up everywhere like mint. Bentley would love to play with Milo. Thanks for sharing some pics of your garden. Your tulips are beautiful!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

bj said...

My gosh...these are some of the prettiest tulips I've ever seen, Blondie girl. So pretty!!

And, I saw those little spice jars on A. sale and almost ordered them myself. Glad you like them!
xo bj

The Shiny Pebble said...

Wow! Your tulips look terrific!!!! And I love that little rascal digging in the flowerbed.

Serline said...

What beautiful blooms... boo hoo... I miss my garden!

Kelly said...

Your garden in wonderful.

Lovely Scribbles said...

Wow, Jane! Tulips, herbs, veggies - you really do it all! You're tulips are beautiful, and I'm totally impressed by your herb garden. Someday...someday, I'll get there (I hope!).

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog...and your tulips, too, are wonderful: great colors!

Becky K. said...

The tulips are lovely.

One Spring my husband thought he would help me and pulled out most of the black eyed susans. He felt so badly...but there were enough remaining that they are coming back nicely.

Becky K
Hospitality Lane

Chubskulit Rose said...

Wow I love your flowers!

Anonymous said...

OMG...I love all your tulips. I planted some huge pink and white ones one year and they were pretty but did not come back again...boohoo. If I don't watch my Bobby G. he cuts down all my plants. When I ask him to do some trimming I tie ribbons on what I don't want him to cut down otherwise he chops down everything. :)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ohhhhhhh, those pink tulips with the white fringe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love your pretty tulip garden border, Jane! The squirrels eat my tulip bulbs but leave the daffodils and hyacinths alone for some reason.

I have to grow all my herbs in flower post as I don't have any dirt in my backyard (it's a city house with little property) but they do really well and I manage to grow to grow tomatoes and peppers and even raspberries and a fig tree in large pots!

I am a gardener at heart...it is so nice to watch things grow!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

♥ Pat

Kathleen said...

Beautiful, Jane! I love the license plate roofed birdhouse..how clever!
LOL, the husband threw out your bulbs. Mine mowed my Peony's down for years..I finally had to cage them!
Your flowers are wonderful!
Jane, thanks for posting on my OW post about our troops. I am sending it to our friend in Afghanistan so he can show his troop..They need our support!

Teresa~ Gardening with Soule said...

Such beautiful flowers. Sounds like you have a wonderful place to garden. So fun to plant all your veggies. You have many rabbits depending on you.

June said...

I love your beautiful blooms. Don't you love it when the bulbs start showing off. Yours are gorgeous. I hope you have a great time planting your veggies Jane!
hugs

Unknown said...

I love those tulips! Last year my sister, Susan gave me a basket of tulip bulbs and one of those cutters made especially to plant bulbs. I never got around to planting them. When I see your lovely blooms I wish I regret that I didn't plant them in the fall.

Karen

xinex said...

Your garden's looking really good, Janie. The tulips are gorgeous. Do bleeding hearts come back? I like them and in the past, I have had hanging planters but they always die in the winter so I gave up on them. If they come back, I might buy some and plant them in ground.....Christine

Pam said...

I love to garden too. I am attempting to clean out my herb garden now also. Had to laugh about your husband and the bulbs. The same thing happened to me!

Ebie said...

Oh Jane, I love your garden!!! Those different varieties of tulips are very colorful. My favorite is the pink ombre.

Enjoy your spring garden!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane! Oh, your gardens are so lovely! How nice to have your herb garden! Your tulips are just havenly! You have so many varieties.
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Hope you'll come to my party on May 7th.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Gypsy Heart said...

Jane,
I absolutely love tulips! All the vivid colors and different styles that you have are wonderful. Love the herbs too! I think it's just so self-satisfying to have a veggie garden along with the herbs & flowers. Wish I lived closer! :-)

xoxo
Pat

Unknown said...

Your tulips are gorgeous!!!!!! Silly husband... what was he thinking!? :)

I try growing veggies...but it just doesn't work out for me. My herbs are doing great though! :)

~Liz

joanna said...

Beautiful garden -- love little Milo, --so it was your husband who dug them up -- oh my -- my dog does the digging here only have a few colors left this year. Love your herb garden too..

Happy Outdoor Wednesday,

Joanny

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hi Jane!
We aren't quite ready to put veggies in the ground yet -- still too cold at night. Mother's Day is the traditional planting day around here.

you have gorgeous tulips -- and I am surprised to hear your oregano and other herbs overwinter. I never knew that!
Except for chives, I pull them out at the end of the season!

Now ... when will your first trip to the lake house be? Can't wait -- take me with!
:-)
Cass

NatureFootstep said...

lovely flowers, but it was the nestingbox that cought my eyes. And gave me a smile. :)

me ann my camera said...

I love your colourful garden, especially the red tilops with the yellow trim! Also the unique birdhouse with the tin can awning. a great example of recycling! I hope the tin liscense plate doesn't make it to warm for the birdies on hot summer days. I will be back to follow along in your interesting journal blog. Thsanks for dropping by on mine. Ann

Eden said...

You have a beautiful garden. I love your tulips especially with the fringe on the edges. They are so beautiful. Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

shabbyfufu said...

Love those tulips Jane! We can't grow them down here and it's been years since I have even seen tulips. Have fun gardening...xo..Janet

Maria@ChicaBellaCrafts said...

Your flowers are just beautiful! my husband dug up my beautiful Ivy plant once. It was so pretty, it would cover my entire wall with hot pink little flowers. Thank goodness it grew back.

Killara girl said...

lol, my hubby pulled all my bulbs up too, to plant trees....they multiply so quickly though we still had a few flowers...and one tulip.

my bunny always ate my mum's veggie patch, she always threatened we'd eat him for dinner.

good luck with your garden...thanks for stopping by!

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Gorgeous! I've never seen all of the different types of tulips you have. Love all the vibrant colors, no such thing as too much red in my book!
You really have a green thumb! Looks like you've worked hard. That's funny about your hub pulling up all the bulbs! Sounds like something mine would do.

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement you left for me. I really needed that! ~Tammy

From the Kitchen said...

Just "met" you on another blog. How special--springtime in Chicago. I was inside the Loop on Tuesday and saw lots of blooms. My yard is turning into a blaze of color as well.

Best,
Bonnie

Kat said...

I love that birdhouse! And your flowers look beautiful, I don't think you can ever have too much red or yellow - don't they just make you smile?? Oregano and Mint certainly can take over a bed, unless of course you have a husband who is the grim plant reaper with a weed wacker :) And yes, I do love Wayne's World. My favorite movie is To Kill a Mockingbird. My second favorite is Animal House! Kathy

Chubby Chieque said...

Oh! so lovely...

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Jane, I love your tulips! I tell myself I'm going to plant bulbs & never get around to it.

Thanks for stopping by!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Love your organized flower beds around your yard! The tulips are gorgeous..

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
I want your tulips in my yard!
That little bird house would look good too. What a great use for an old license plate.

Isn't it fun to put out all the new plants and spring-up the yard!

hugs
Sissie

Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Jane! Your flowers are beautiful! I especially love the ruffly tulips...do you know what they are called?
Happy planting!
;-D Kathleen

Melanie said...

Your flowers are so pretty and who doesn't love a birdhouse?

Kammy said...

You have a beautiful flower bed - and I adore that birdhouse !
Kammy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, how pretty, Janie! Love your tulips. I wish I could grow them like that. And that bird house is SO cute. I have one with a Maine license plate.

Hope you are having a super spring. If the workmen would leave, mine would get better. LOL! MISS YOU!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Flaviana said...

Hello Jane
thanks for visiting me, I so love meeting new friends!
I had the chance to go through your posts..what can I say that you don't already know? Your house is beautiful and your garden..wow!!
Love your blog! I hope we can stay in touch!
Warm hugs
Flaviana

Kathleen Grace said...

Just stopping by to catch up, I love your tulip border! I always forget to plan ahead and plant spring bulbs and then I am always terribly regretful about that when I see other peoples gardens full of them!

Kim said...

What a lovely garden! The colors are beautiful. I image you like spending alot of time outside enjoying all the beauty. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

Heidi said...

Hi Jane,
I'm sorry I haven't been by to visit in awhile, I've missed you! Your garden is looking good. I love the tulips. I don't plant them because the deer will eat them all! They don't like the daffodils though, so I have lots of those. They would look nice planted in with the tulips in your yard. There are so many varieties! How nice that you have a veggie garden. Vegetables always taste better home-grown!
Have a great weekend!
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Hello Janie~I was so delighted to see you strolled by for a visit.
How wonderful to have herbs at your finger tips. It's so refreshing to see spring florals blooming.
I'm so anxious to see our fruit come into season. The raspberries will be up first. We had luscious strawberries last summer, but they look pretty sad, I'm not sure they'll sprout up. I'd be happy with just a few.
I've got a "TUT" I think you'll enjoy.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Kerry said...

Your story about your husband pulling out the bulbs reminded me of when two lovely friends were helping me weed my garden one year and they pulled out all the petunia seedlings thinking they were weeds...and then wondered why all the weeds were so evenly spaced!! Thanks so much for visiting my blog through Brenda and for following..you made me feel very welcome.

Mary said...

I'm keeping fingers crossed here - have only seen rabbits crossing the streets this Spring - at night!! Hope they stay away from my veggies this year!!

Unknown said...

G'day Jane ~ Your birdhouse is darling & the flowers are breathtakingly exquisite. You've created an awesome presentation for us all to enjoy with you.

Sherry left this AM & now we are off to Ansel's 9th birthday party.

Have a lovely weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs of love, Marydon

Sarah AKA The Thriftress said...

Your tulips are so pretty!
Sarah

Rettabug said...

Lovin' your tulips! You can never have too many red & yellow...come see mine today. LOL Great minds on the same track!

I need to add more purple & pink, I see. We're going to be busy come fall.

♥ your little herb garden. I keep all of mine in pots on the deck for close access from the kitchen. I didn't know the oregano would come back like my chives do!! I'll have to leave it in the pot next year.

Have a great week, Jane & thanks for the tip.

fondly,
Rett

Dee said...

The tulips are sooo pretty!! The colors scream "SPRING"! and they are so inviting! Aren't bird houses intriguing? All God's creatures .....
Loved your blog ... come "see" me, please? I'm new! I'm learning! and I like it!!!
Pink Hugs,
Dee
@deeslittlepinkie

Sue said...

Love the colors of all your flowers,Janie! I wish I could become a gardener, but you know I have a brown thumb. LOL -And even though your birdhouse has Michigan plates, this "Buckeye" says it's still cute! Hope to get a post in this week- I have been so busy lately. Things are going much better! lotsa hugs, Sue

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE all the tulips!!!

Help! Mama Remote... said...

Beautiful tulips. Is the a faux dog? Cute idea. I think I'm going to start planting me some tulips this fall. I don't have any in my yard. I live in Chicago too. Nice to come by your blog.

Terri Steffes said...

Totally love the tulip border! Awesome!

Thanks for visiting my blog. I love yours! I signed up to follow your posts.

I am a huge fan of Chicago!

Susie's country cottage said...

I love all your different coloured tulips. They look stunning all planted together. I hope your veggies dont succumb to the dreaded rabbits too much!
Susie