Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Spring in our courtyard

Virginia had a neat post yesterday with some pictures of what's blooming around her house, and I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd do the same.  When we bought our house, it was an L-shaped ranch, and about 20 years ago, we added on to it, and in so doing, enclosed the center into a little open-to-the-sky courtyard, only about 12 feet on a side,  There are windows or a sliding door on 3 of those sides, so we have a little garden planted out there.  Here are some pictures from past years showing what it looks like at this time of year. The hostas are just unfolding - some of them will be huge by the end of summer!  If you'd like a closer look, just click on any of the pictures.

We have a beautiful little Japanese Maple on one side.  On the other side we have a water fountain, surrounded by hostas, a Lenten rose that never blooms, but provides lots of green, and some painted ferns, just starting to show now.


   




The last 3 pictures show our little patch of trillium, a wildflower so named because it has 3 of everything, leaves and petals! They grow native to the woods just down the street.

Sadly, we just had to take out that hemlock in the corner of the second picture.  It just doesn't get enough light there, and it got very leggy.  We will be putting up some lattice in its place, to hide the drainpipe in that corner, hopefully training up some ivy or shade-loving vine, and adding some decorative birdhouses here and there along the lattice. 

Hope you enjoyed this little spring tour! 

I've also changed up my blog background and header again.  The lilacs are fading, so it's time to move on!  I love robin's egg blue so this background really spoke to me, and I chose a picture of some lilies-of-the-valley for my header, as they mean Mother's Day to me.......hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day this weekend!

15 comments:

Sarah J Moerman said...

Beautiful garden, Lin! My parents also have a Japanese Maple. Love it!

Virginia L. said...

What a GORGEOUS post! I so love your pictures and your Trillium look(ed) so beautiful. (Now you know to leave the Trillium alone).Thanks for the treat of your Spring garden, big sis!

donna mikasa said...

Love the "Zen" feeling of your garden and courtyard! It must be so relaxing to sit and view all of that greenery....Thanks for sharing! I feel so relaxed now...........

Barb said...

Love the new look of your blog, Lin! So pretty! And thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your little courtyard! What a treat! I would love to sit on that bench and read a book! So tranquil looking! :)

Agata said...

Beautiful pictures! You seem to enjoy your garden in Spring! :) Thanks for sharing!

Tiffany Ervin said...

These are beautiful photos, love the sweet little waterfall, everything looks so perfect - no wonder you love this time of the year so much! I'm hiring you as a gardener at my next house! ;)

Debbie said...

Very pretty, can we all come over and sit and chat about stamping and cards? it looks like the perfect place.

Caryl @ cinnamon holiday workshop said...

Lin...I enjoyed the tour of your courtyard...very inviting. New blog look is super!!

Alice said...

i adore the lilies of the valley you used for your header! so pretty! =) thanks for the walk in your garden, Lin! it's so beautiful! i love it! =)

Dawn T said...

So lovely to see you garden... all those wonderful trees and shrubs and flowers. Spring is such a lovely time of the year.. Love your new blog background and banner too... very springy!!!

CinnamonSally said...

Beautiful garden Lin it must be such a relaxing place to sit and chill out!! Also congratulations on your win at the PlayDate Cafe, fabulous card!!!
Hugs
SAlly

Sanne said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely pics Lin - looks awesome

Kryssi said...

how lucky of you to be surrounded by such beauty, lin. and you are so so so sweet!! thank you for all your kind words! HUGS!!!!

Sue McRae said...

Your trilliums are so beautiful Lin! Thanks for sharing!

Suzanne C said...

What a lovely courtyard! what a wonderful idea to leave this little private garden in the midst of your house!