March marks the official start of spring. Here in Chicago, we generally still get quite a mixture of weather conditions throughout the month, but there is no denying that spring is pushing through. Very early on we begin to see little purple and yellow flowers popping up. The Crocus flowers are always the first to appear in our yard every year and they don’t seem to have a problem taking on the harsh storms of March. [Read more…] about March’s Yard
Yard
January’s Yard
In the midwest, January doesn’t always feel like a very lively month, at least not in the outdoor garden department. The fall leaves have dried out and plants from last season are sadly drooping under the cold and wet blanket of winter. We are in the thick of hibernation season, but that doesn’t mean that things have completely shut down in the plant world. In fact, this January has been unusually mild and rainy. When I stepped outside to capture these images, I was without a coat wearing sandals, comfortably enjoying the sun and observing the state of the yard. This is not the same January I have grown up to know in the midwest. It’s a little strange that we are seeing some very early signals from spring already, some colorful sites in a generally gray time of year. [Read more…] about January’s Yard
The Yard in June
June is the month where the yard starts feeling really full and lush. By the time May is over we start to see the end of the spring flowers as we make way for summer blooms and the hotter weather. Our Hostas are full grown and bursting with many flowers. Roses, Phlox, Sedum, and more are all out to play. [Read more…] about The Yard in June
Geranium – Bloody Cranesbill
Geranium sanguineum, also known as Bloody Cranesbill, is a low maintenance garden perennial that offers full herbaceous greens with plenty of bright blooms. The flowers petals are papery thin, generally bright magenta with darker veins. The dark green herbaceous foliage is deeply segmented with fine hairs. [Read more…] about Geranium – Bloody Cranesbill
The Yard in May
A lot happens in May, the yard no longer looks empty and blooms are in full effect. This month is all about pink and purple flowers. Tulips, Lilacs, Geraniums, Alliums, Sage Flowers, Violets, Bleeding Hearts, and Peonies galore. [Read more…] about The Yard in May
The Yard in April
We’ve lived in the same place for 6 years now. When we arrived, it was May and the yard was just beginning to unfold for the summer. The tenant before us had done some planting and landscaping, it was quite nice. I had no idea what was there, but it was a lot of fun to water it and watch it grow. Our yard is full of surprises, there are waves of continuous change over the growing season and I love to spend time with it. Over the years I have spent hours watering it, I’ve pulled billions of weeds and probably some gorgeous intentional plants too, disrupted and relocated many bulbs, allowed weeds to join the party, added more plants, learned about new plants, I have made mistakes, and there have also been many victories. It’s a beautiful yard full of life, at times it is a bit wild and out of control, but I think it’s perfectly imperfect. [Read more…] about The Yard in April