A little piece of the countryside in my own backyard.

My garden needs an overhaul.  I am delighted to say that I was lucky enough to move into a house that already had designated flower beds and a ton of plantings.  Unfortunately, since I've moved in, the garden has spent most of its days in varying stages of neglect.  I blamed planning a wedding the first year.  And this year?  Well, there was about a month worth of vacation out of the country or state that found me just battling to keep up with the weeds.  I lost.  Big time.  

There's a lot going on in that garden.  Most of it's good!  But there are a few negatives... like plants growing on top of one another.  And giant evergreen bushes that are taking over one of the main beds, suffocating the ferns.  Also, there are two very hardy, very invasive types of flowers--wildflowers?--that I have not yet identified and I must try to get under control.  They are lovely, they just spread way too much.  I also hate, HATE, that the largest bed, along the fence line, runs in a simple straight line.  It just looks so unnatural to me.  :(  That's easily remedied, though I'm not sure how my husband will feel about me cutting into his lawn.  Ha!  

Let's look at the positives, shall we?

Lots of room.  Full sun in most areas means I can grow a large variety of plants.  Speaking of variety: there's already a large variety of perennials (lamb's ear, hydrangea, peony, daylilies, clematis, sedum, black-eyed susans, purple coneflowers) and bulbs (iris, daffodils, hyacinth, hosta) and even some lilac bushes, rose of sharon bushes AND a magnolia tree.  Lovely!

Starting soon, I plan on preparing for the coming winter by trimming everything back and doing a thorough cleanup.  I'd also like to add a swoop into that dang straight bed because I just can't stand the look of it.  Maybe that'd be a good spot for a bench!

I am or may not get around to planting some more bulbs this season.  The one thing I'd really like to focus on is tulips.  They are my absolute favorites and I don't think I'll ever have enough.




Favorite!

I also have some plants in mind for NEXT season already!  I'm imagining an English-styled garden in my very own backyard.  We spent 12 days in England this summer and saw an awful lot of gardens.  I think I appreciated them much more than my husband, but that's okay!  I would love for my backyard to be an ideal place for an afternoon tea.  A haven for great photo ops!  One that attracts all sorts of wildlife.  Of course, with the addition of our own wildlife to the family (her name is Lita and she has 4 abnormally large feet), I may need to think about fencing off those beds.  This would not be a bad thing as not only would it keep her out of my flower beds, it would also prevent her from meeting up at the fenceline with the black lab that lives behind us.  They aren't very good friends just yet.

Anyway, plants!  For next season....


Hellebores for shadier areas.

Hollyhocks.

Frilly and feminine poppies.

The hydrangea I currently have is white so I'd love to add a bit of color.

To compliment the existing purple coneflowers.

Butterfly bushes to attract little friends.
All flower images from source: www.waysidegardens.com
 

Can't you just see it now--A little piece of the countryside in my own backyard.