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!