Nature's palette - Volume 4 of 6

There are those who spread their paint all over the place - and then there are the 'neat-niks'!







Welcome to Volume 4, where you'll get to look to the south (at location 7 at the back of the lot - 12,395 square feet for 'info-nerds') and turn then around (to face north at location 8) towards the house - .

A couple of years ago, I took a porch rail off the front of the house and set it on the back line of the lot as a backdrop for a flower bed.

                               Location 7 – The bottom (back) of the yard – looking south

                                                                      Late March (2014)

                                                                       Late April

Yes!  Daffodils do not normally appear here until early to mid April - not like in Wales where there are abundant for St David's Day (March 1st)

                                                                        Mid May

    For some reason, this rose bush does not bloom until a few weeks after some of the others in the yard.

                                                                             Early June 

                         This rose bush always blooms later than the others in Locations 2 - 4, and 6

                                                                          Mid July

                              The pink Spirea begin to die off, but the rose blooms linger.

                                                                   Mid-August - the 'Alice View'

Mid-September

First day of Fall - new pink blooms have appeared outside of the 'Spirea' .

Mid-October

Blasted rabbits have eaten some of the smaller flowers

                                                                        Mid November

                                            Think the snow must have scared the rabbits off

Mid-December

Only the shadows are growing - but Solstice is only a week away

Mid-January (2015)

Well, the fencing was already white anyway! 

Late-February (2015)

Looks like repair is needed on that edging-wood

                                  Location 8 – looking north, to the back of the house 

When we moved in - this weekend, 14 years ago - there was not one single tree in the back-yard. Perhaps the most noticeable change, as Winter advances to Summer, is in the tree foliage - see the changes on the River Birch (far left) and on (center) the Bradford Pear, with its beautiful white blossoms in April.  

                                                                        Late March (2014)

                                                                         Mid April

                                                                          Mid May

                                                                           Early June

                  Not too much changing here - maybe some a little growth on the grasses by the patio

Mid July

       This is the time of year that the grass starts to dry out and begins to beg for water as it turns yellowish.

Mid-August - the 'Alice View'

Mid-September

Back to the 'normal' view 

Mid-October

                                                                          Mid November

                              Just a week or so before the first snowfall - the leaves turned color quickly

Mid-December

Well, that's about it for the shedding of leaves for this year

Mid-January (2015) 

The few remaining leaves of December have finally gone too. 

Late-February (2015)

Additions will be made throughout the year. Check the other Volumes too via these quick-link:

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4 - don't forget to come back here each month.
Volume 5
Volume 6

Nature's palette - Volume 3 of 6

It is sad, but some people lack the ability to see colors - just shades (not 50 of them!) of grey. Those of us who can see colors should feel blessed.







OK - on to the next two locations, as we move clockwise around the back-yard to 5 and 6; see here -

                                                  Location 5 – The patio area – looking north

When Summer arrives, this deserted place has been known to be draped with scantily clad folk sunning themselves, partially screened by the Pampas-like grasses. Three plastic boxes also get filled with colorful 'annuals'

                                                                           Late March (2014)

                                                                             Late April

                                                                              Mid May

                                                                      Mid June

                     The tall grasses are finally growing and the Hibiscus on the right will soon be blooming

Mid July

The 6" pink blooms of the Hibiscus are always a welcomed sight - but a disappointment not seeing a lot of progress on the tall grasses yet - but first year transplants are always slow to develop.

Mid-August - the 'Alice View'

Mid-September

    First day of Fall - Hibiscus flowers dried up - even the tall grass is not so tall as I had hoped for - yet.

Mid-October

               Now the tall grasses have 'tassled' - maybe next year they'll be really tall - up to 7 feet

                                                                      Mid November

                                    A quick turn of weather brought frost then a light snow

Mid-December

Drier conditions, but the growth period is over for the year

Mid-January (2015)

Decided to trim the grasses - and the color! 

                                                                Late-February (2015)

     Just burned the 'tall-grasses' to get ready for Spring growth

                           Location 6 - The rockery – another former steep grassy slope – looking north

Not surprising, but this side of the house also had one of those 'can be mowed - but with effort' slopes. A rockery seemed to be the answer. Less grass to mow - but more plants to prune, 'deadhead' and admire!

                                                                     Late March (2014)

 

                                                                      Late April

                                                                       Mid May

                                                                       Mid June

As if not 'steal their thunder', the roses (red and the 'yellow-with-white') each lose their blooms (temporarily) as the yellows and purples in the foreground begin to emerge. 

Mid July

                  The drought and heat always takes a toll on the Birch trees - lots of leaf-litter to rake! 

Mid-August - the 'Alice View'

Mid-September

The red roses are doing fine, but the white / yellow bush is less vibrant

Mid-October

                                                                          Mid November

                                       Hard to believe this was just a week before the frost and snow

Mid-December

The last of the colors have gone now

Mid-January (2015)

My color-blind friend (Jim) would appreciate this photo.

Late-February (2015)

Cold, but sunny

Don't forget - additional photos to be added throughout the year, so check back periodically. Also, look at the other 5 Volumes via these quick-links:

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3 - you are already looking at it !
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6