I really need to take a photography class because these pictures don’t do the yard justice. 🙁 We have been getting about equal amounts of downpours and sweltering hot days, so everything is balancing itself out around here.
Waiting for the gladiolus to bloom, but I’m glad they at least sprout quickly so there isn’t an empty patch in the garden. I have them planted a bunch of places.
.jpg "Gladiolus from bulbs")
Spirea is one of my favorites. At Lowe’s it’s one of the cheapest plants you can buy at $6.98, but it’s a stunner, even in the first year..jpg "Spirea easy plant")
.jpg "Spirea easy plant")
Holy cow! We’ve never had grapes before. The kids are super excited about this one. I think I heard talk of grape stomping. That’s what I get for taking my kids to a wine festival last year. I’ll have to watch this closely and throw a net over it pretty soon so the critters don’t get them.
.jpg "Growing grapes in backyard garden on fence")
Who doesn’t enjoy some beautify lilies? {How many little girls do you know named Lily/Lilly? I know at least 4}
.jpg "Smart Girls DIY: Garden Tour - Lilies")
I keep forgetting to make tomato stakes! I hate the ones here and refuse to buy more, but the tomato cage fairy hasn’t come yet, so I better get on that, these puppies are getting pretty big.
.jpg "Tomoato plants in raised bed")
Um… I can’t remember what this is. Anyone???
.jpg)
Mountain Fire Pieris is beautiful and EVERGREEN, but is one of the worst growers my garden. I have 7 of them and they’ve each grown like 2″ in the past 2 years. 🙁
.jpg "Mountain Fire Pieris")
This was once the proposed site of our outdoor shower. It is now going to have an outdoor bed on it. I am not letting myself start building it until I finish the damn deck (and a couple
of the other unfinished projects I have going on).
.jpg "outdoor bed in progress")
I found a good spot for one of the shade sails I bought (last year) but haven’t properly secured it yet. I have 3 other sails I need to find a spot for too. Just another thing on my to do list.
.jpg "Yellow Triangle Shade Sail")
And sometimes I find myself starting projects that aren’t even on the to do list. Honestly, I do this almost every day. 🙂 But what’s a girl to do with her old tires when she gets her tires changed???? Make an obstacle course for the kids, of course!
.jpg "Recycled tires + wood = kids backyard obstacle course")
Last, but not least, my favorite plant of the week… Bugleweed or Ajuga. This is the Burgundy Glow variety which is my favorite. It makes an excellent ground cover, even in shade.
.jpg "Bugleweed (Ajuga) Burgundy Glow cascading over retaining wall")
I planted Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ between pieces of flagstone out front, but I so far I am not nearly as happy with that variety. But I’m still waiting for it to fill in.
What’s going on in your garden this week?
Smart Girl
Looking so good lady!!! You have so many amazing blooms and projects rocking!!! I am liking the grapes too!
How did the CC Ajuga end up doing for you, Liz? I have a flat of it on order for spring… hoping you ended up liking it! I’m looking for a vigorous ground cover… hoping it fits the bill.
Take Care,
Michaela
Hi Michaela. I LOVE my chocolate chip ajuga. It completely filled in in one season. It goes like crazy, but isn’t out of control. Here are a couple of pictures I could find on the blog…
http://smartgirlsdiy.com/2014/06/garden-week-11-yummy-raspberries/ (last picture)
http://smartgirlsdiy.com/2014/05/garden-week-5-getting-tons-stuff-done/ (last picture)