under the shade tree.

Things are starting to grow! Well, really they have been for awhile but I'm just now taking note. This is the time of year when I get really excited about all the outdoor things I can now do and in a few weeks it will quickly turn to me being overwhelmed/exhausted.

One of my favorite backyard spots is under the shade tree along my fence. I purchased a super cheap - and super durable/cute - bench from a salvage place near my house a few years ago and I love the shady spot. I really never sit under there but it's nice to know I COULD if I wanted to.

This is what the area looked like last year in the end of May:

This is what it looks like now:

This was the first attempt I ever did a few years back at "landscaping" and there are definitely a few things I would change. For example, I LOVE some of the groundcover in front - the Creeping Jenny especially - but some of it is getting tall with large gaps. I do love how in the spring it's SO green under there - especially with the pots - but I am going to sprinkle in some color this year. I bought some perennial bulbs that I'm going to plant this weekend but they have to be dug up every year so I'll probably just keep them in the pots. I'm going to have morning glories grow up a lattice on the right side of the tree which I'm excited about - my first experiment with vines!

I also planted tulips around the front edge last fall and they are getting HUGE:

No flowers yet though. In the front yard there is one daffodil that has come out to the world:

This is really why I have come to enjoy gardening so much. I have always loved being outside but observing nature, watching things grow, seeing seasons change...it's all very happy and exciting to me. Probably because it's so rhythmic and yet unique every time. I'm already wondering if that daffodil will be the first one to come up next year..and what tulip is going to appear first and what color will it be.

Yep. Nerd.

shady shady plants.

One of my favorite things about my backyard is when you look up, there are so many trees. Personally, trees have always been a significant soul thing and I love that Tennessee has so many. I feel lucky to be surrounded by them even within the heart of the city.

I have two in my backyard. One is huge and is next to and over my deck. I love it but I have to admit the leaves/bods/bird doo doo it brings about is a bit annoying to clean up. The other tree is along the fence and where I decided to make my first landscaping project.

Since it's shaded, the pickings for color are slim. I was disappointed - at first - when I was looking at my options and realized that (obviously) plants under trees aren't super colorful since they don't get much sunlight. I planted hostas, grasses, ferns and some ground cover and am in LOVE with my first landscaping attempt. I actually love looking at all the green colors and am happy with the variety.

The bench I found at a salvage shop nearby and the bird ornaments in September for last year for just a few bucks a piece. The other half I'm leaving for next year to see what inspires me. Right now I'm thinking an arch of sorts with ivy or another viney plant to grow up and add some depth to the landscape.