Like Choosing Wallpaper

Somehow, we never made it out to the grand tulip festival this year, too many busy or rainy weekends, but we did manage to swing by a local family-owned  farm yesterday, where these beauties were putting on the last show of the season.  My pictures are from Cynthia's organic garden, which explains some of the grass and what some might consider weeds.  I think it all looks quite lovely and natural though.  She was holding a pre-Mother's Day event with a few artisans.  Missy was there selling her wonderful handmade soaps, and there were farm animals on display for the kids.  Which I unfortunately didn't get any pictures of, because we were too busy cooing over newly hatched ducklings and baby bunnies, and a broody hen hiding behind pots of flowers on her nest of eggs.   And their was a pony, and a friendly cow.   So sweet to see that.  Back on the "homestead", our fortress building continues, but we're also (still) in the process of re-hauling our front yard.  Just haven't quite settled on the final plan yet.  So on the way home yesterday, we stopped by a Rhodie farm and looked around.   An exercise in self-restraint, I tell ya.  Because when I see things like this and this and this, I just want to load up the car trunk and worry about where everything gets planted, later.   (Not always a wise move.  As former experience has taught me.  Too many times.) So we just roamed around and inhaled the sweet intoxicating fragrance that was floating through the air, and enjoyed pleasantries with other Rhodie-lovers. Sharing our appreciation for the showiest bloomers.  Rhododendrons haven't always been my top choice of flower-shrubs, but as the deer don't seem to care for them, I've grown to appreciate them more and more.  And I rather like the permanent structure they bring to the perennial garden beds too.   The front yard is vast and somewhat vacant at this point, and I'm looking at it like a really BIG home decorating project.  Like starting with an empty room.  First plant trees, the "key furniture", then add accessories, the "flowers".   These types of foundation plantings may not be all that exciting, but like carpet and paint, are necessary before I can move forward with the prettier "decorations".    Also, planting is a whole lot easier than tearing stuff out,  so we really REALLY want to make sure we've covered all the bases.  There's nothing worse than planting a beautiful tree, only to find out later that it drops a bazillion seed pods everywhere that grow into a bazillion saplings, or it's roots invade the plumbing, or crack the driveway or the house foundation.  Or way too much upkeep.   Important to consider those things.  I've also found, that it's not always easy to tell a whole lot about trees when they're small or stuck in a pot at the nursery either.  Those tags are no help.   They usually only give an estimated height and width, which still leaves me wondering.  So, I've been looking at a few trees that have actually been in the ground awhile, scouting the neighborhoods for possible specimens, observing their habits, viewing each with a critical eye and so far, I have yet to find a tree that wins hands down.   Anyway, the new lawn is in, and bark has been spread everywhere else to hold down the weeds while we make up our minds, but so far, that's all we've had done.  I'm meeting with my landscaper tomorrow though, so maybe he'll help me get moving on it. 

UPDATE:  Although I do appreciate the sentiment behind being nominated for the BCA,  I've requested that my blog be withdrawn from the contest.  After reading the fine print,  I don't quite agree with what's behind this and have chosen not to participate.   I would also like to add, that any endorsements of products and people on my blog are genuine and not paid for by sponsers.   Having said that, I thank those who innocently voted, and for those who clued me in. 

Comments

[Anina]

These photos are a feast for the eye! And you're quite smart refraining from just loading up on plants. You really shouldn't buy anything unless you have a spot for it Trees are hard. I'm very partial to Japanese maples or maples of any kind. Dogwoods are, of course, beautiful.

[Margaret]

Congratulations on the nomination -- you certainly deserve it in my mind! And I hear you with the rhodies, and wanting to make sure you know what the mature plants/trees will look like before popping things in the ground. My parents' yard is ringed with an amazing collection of mature rhodies, and I love them. The leaves are a wonderful variety of sizes and colors, and they bloom all through the spring and summer in different beautiful combinations. Enjoy! And thank you for the lovely tulip pictures!

[Kristine Hudson]

Your photography is amazing! Gorgeous!!

Kristine

[Amy]

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize you were in Oregon! We have a tulip farm down the street and it is wonderful to drive by.

Rhodies are everywhere around here and it is disappointing to see them not taken care of. Pick up a pair of pruners people!

Can't wait to see what you will do with your front yard. We're going through the same process.

[Mama Urchin]

My husband has a rule that I must dig the hole before I buy the plant. Sometimes I break it though.

[Andrea Atkinson]

I don't have a blogger account so I can't vote for you but I want you to know that your blog is my very favourite one.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

What a beautiful post. Those tulips are dazzling! You definitely deserve that award. I love visiting your blog.

[Pieces]

Ah, the landscaping decisions. We redid our front yard a few years ago--took out huge trees in the wrong places and filled it mostly with smaller shrubs and big grasses. We did put in a vine leaf maple and my other favorite small-tree/shrub--the strawberry tree. With their glossy, evergreen leaves I think they are prettier than rhodies and offer that backbone of the garden. Unfortunately, they don't bloom pretty like rhodies, but they do get pretty red berries!

Congratulations on exercising control around all those plants--and on the nomination.

[Tatania]

Oh my gosh what wonderful pictures! I love your approach to landscaping your front garden a very creative idea.
Congratulations on being nominated for the Bloggers Choice Awards.

[Heidi]

I would love to vote for you, as I really enjoy your blog. However, it looks like this is sponsored by "Pay Per Post," which I have real problems with. And I have to register with them to vote for you. So, sorry, I won't be able to vote for you, but know that I would have!

[paula luckhurst]

You deserve to WIN.

[tinker]

Congratulations!
As always, your photos are gorgeous.

[Felicia]

Thank you so much for sharing those beautiful tulips!