What Ana Does

I think I post this every year, but I'm just so happy to see that SPRING is finally gracing us with its presence. I know... I shouldn't complain because winter was "mild." But my definition of "mild" is in the 60s, not 30s. So there. As is custom, I'm starting to think about spring cleaning projects and various tasks to spruce up the house and, more importantly, the yard. Everything is in need of a new coat of paint or at the very list a power wash. And who doesn't love a good power wash?! More to follow!

There's nothing that tells me it's Spring more than the scent of lilacs in my house.  Growing up, we had a large lilac bush in our backyard and every year my Mom cut an enormous bouquet of flowers for the dining room table that you could smell in every corner of the house.  Don't you love how some scents remind you of childhood memories?  These days I cut lilacs from a house up the street with a long row of lilacs -- as my attempts to grow them in our yard have been unsuccessful. (I swear the owner doesn't mind.)  Happy Spring -- despite the frost warnings this week.  Spring Lilacs Silly Alice At the Bus Stop Related links: More BACKYARD posts

This is the time of year that the Black-Eyed Susans remind me what part of the yard belongs to them. And to prove it, they double in population each year. A few years ago, this patch was just a few plants I moved over from the other side of the yard. But it doesn't take long for this wildflower and spread out. (There's a little pine tree in there somewhere.) Being the generous/lazy gardner that I am, I'm going to allow this. Go to it, girls. The Black Eyed Susans Are Such Showoffs The best part about these little sunflowers: their long blooming season. They'll be around into the fall. 

After seeing the bouquets at my CSA farm stand last year, I jumped at signing up for the CSA Flower Share this summer. Every other weekend I pick up an amazing arrangement of flowers grown on the farm, just up the street from me. See? Living in an outer-ring suburb near the prairie does have some advantages! Filled With 'Snow on the Mountain' Lisianthus, Statice and Feverfew Lisianthus - Looks Like a Simpler Rose The Flowers From Above

Lots of pretty things are in bloom in my backyard. Most notably the hibiscus that I didn't have high-hopes for. It was cut back to nothing at the beginning of the Spring -- and now, looky there! First big bloom and little buds with more on the way. HELLO Hibiscus! Transplanted Black-Eyed Susans are Happy This Crazy/Pretty Weed that's Everywhere this Year. Kinda Looks Like Yarrow. I've cut some blooms for my vases. Tomatos! 

Our backyard is a riot of color right now. I guess all our cool nights and the weeks of rain has some advantages. Asiatic Lilies Are GORGEOUS. And They Aren't Around Long Sweet Little Pansies Coreopsis That Comes Back, No Matter How Much I Abuse It My Newest Addition to the Yard - Hydrangea! 

I just love my backyard in the Spring! Watching it go from grey and dreary to technicolor green is an annual miracle I don't take for granted.  This year, I'm still concentrating on the perennial bed around the right side of my lawn. I've added some pink peony (4 new plants) and pretty salvia. And I planted that sunflower bed I'm eagerly anticipating. I'm almost to the point where I'll need massive amounts of mulch to finish it off. I may need some help with that.  Asiatic Lilies Will Be Bursting With Color Soon! New Peony With Weed Guard. Next Step: LOTS of Mulch Pretty Little Bell Flower Perennial Will Be Layered in Front of Salvia With the cool weather and lots of rain, that backyard is just going to get greener! Related links: More BACKYARD posts

We're going on the seventh month of winter and it's pretty hard to see an end in sight -- thanks to a continually gloomy forecast. It's the beginning of April and we've hardly climbed out of the 40s. The Spring soccer has even been postponed by a week because the fields are not close to ready. So it's extremely exciting to see some signs of spring in my back yard. Daffodils, tulips, the few crocuses and my strawberry plant all seem more optimistic than I am that the sunny summer is on its way.  Strawberries Anyone? Tulips, and a Few Teeny Crocuses,  Pushing There Way Up! Well, I guess I'm a little optimistic about warmer weather... Socks Be Gone!

I was out with the camera this weekend and got some nice shots of the Lilies in the perennial bed. They don't stick around for too long, so you got to grab them when you can. The Perennial Flower Bed: Year 1 -- Lots of New Flowers Added This Year, Including Coreopsis,  Salvia, Astible, Portulaca (Moss Roses), and a Daisy.  

Planted as bulbs by my Mom last year, the Asiatic Lilies are finally blooming. Looks like there is a lot of potential for a lot of flowers this summer. Yay! Related links: More BACKYARD posts