August

Naked Lady Bloomed Already!

Making The Most Out Of Your Spirea

A few years ago I bought this Proven Winners 1 Gal. Double Play Pink Spirea on clearance. It was tiny and measly looking when I brought it home.  I planted it at the end of my backyard flowerbed hoping to attract butterflies.  The next year it bloomed and has continued to looking stunning ever since.

Backyard Flowerbed Before/Now

These first two pictures were taken at the end of February of my backyard flowerbed. You won't believe what it looks like in July!

Here are my top recommendations for flowerbeds:

1. Save time and money- plant perennials one time in the flowerbeds you spend the least amount of time around. I supplement a single large colorful flowerpot with a couple annuals to brighten up my front (see Front Porch Focal Point post). Otherwise, I focus my attention on my backyard, where I spend most of my time with Penny.

2. Plant perennials that take up larger amounts of space. I have four main ones in this flower bed- two large bushes at each end, lambs ear, then the focus point Stargazer lilies.  Only plant perennials that flower.

3. After the perennials have poked up in early spring I plant a couple cheap annuals that brighten the empty spaces up (check out how to save money with my Always Look For A Deal post). I prefer coleus, wave petunias, and marigolds.

The sunflowers were an added bonus from the birds...I did not plant them!  Penny decided to join the last picture, see if you can spot her.

My Sunflower Has Started to Bloom!

Snapdragon

I experimented with new seeds this year. I bought a pack of wild flowers from the dollar tree and they did amazing. I also got a package of snapdragons from Lowe's and this is the only plant that I got to make it out of the package!

Probably won't be doing these from seed again.

Wildflowers NOT Weeds!

I bought wildflower seeds from the dollar tree this spring. My husband has been giving me so much grief about them. He says it looks like I am growing a bunch of weeds! Well HONEY, several varieties have finally bloomed! Wahoo it was worth the weed looking flower pots.

Lilies Galore!