TULIPS!

Sometimes, a girl has to buy herself flowers! I love tulips, and when I saw these at Publix, I decided to treat myself. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to taking pictures until they were a little past their prime. 

(Hi Daisy!)

FEBRUARY IN FAIRHOPE

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OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY / WHITE WEDNESDAY

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CLEMATIS VINE

When we were in the process of redesigning our front entrance and front yard, I had a vision of a gate with vines growing on it. I found a pair of old gates at an antique store, and our contractor was able to separate them, to be used in two different areas of our property.



I asked the landscapers for lots of white flowers in the yard, and he complied. From just a couple of little vines, we now have Confederate Jasmine and Clematis practically overtaking us! During Spring and Summer, they have to be quite severely trimmed back every few weeks. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to get through the gate. The pruning actually encourages them to grow even more!



Although they've been growing for about ten years now, they grew very quickly from the start. We do almost nothing to them, other than the trimming. They thrive in full sun--ours get full afternoon sun. They like to be mulched to keep the roots cool and damp, so we usually have some pine straw around the base. Admittedly, they are brown and woody during the winter, but I think it's worth it to have this beautiful display every Spring.



The vines get so loaded down with blooms that the ones near the bottom lay on the gravel in the courtyard and continue to bloom their hearts out! I'm a bit obsessed with white flowers. Besides looking so clean and fresh during the day, I love they way they look at night. They actually light up the darkness!



The Clematis is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which also includes Ranunculus (Buttercups) and Anemones.



The Confederate Jasmine is heavily fragrant and most people feel very strongly about the scent---love it or hate it! To me, it's one of the most evocative scents of summer in the Deep South. This vine actually has some nice fall color as well.

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

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I have to confess...

We're really a week or two away from this scene.
But, with my Spring fever running rampant,
this is the sight that I'm dreaming about!

Yoshino Cherry trees

Yoshinos are the cherry blossom trees that bloom in Washington, D.C. every Spring. The Japanese government gave the U.S. 3,000 of these trees in 1912. Macon, Georgia also hosts a well-known Cherry Blossom Festival. How lucky we feel to have our own little festival right here in our front yard!

You might be wondering about this adorable little lamb. When I saw her in the [now defunct] Winterthur catalog, I knew I had to have her for my front yard. I named her Bonnie Belle. Sadly, she's also "defunct" at this point. My yard service hit her repeatedly with the leaf-blower, and eventually even Gorilla glue couldn't hold her legs up.


As you can see, she used to "graze" around the yard!

Forsythia

Forsythia is native to southern Asia. It is named after William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist. Interestingly, the flowers produce lactose (milk sugar). This is the only source of lactose in nature, other than milk.

Bradford Pear Trees

The Bradford Pear is native to Korea and China. The USDA introduced it to the U.S. in 1963. It quickly became very popular, particularly with new homeowners, as they grow very fast. They provide beautiful color in both Spring and Fall. As gorgeous as they look, the blossoms emit a strange and unappealing odor when fully blooming. Some people consider them a nuisance. As they approach 20-25 years, they're quite prone to splitting down the middle, which can wreak havoc with one's landscape!

Notice the bird's nest!