It’s nice out today.  Sunny and warm and happily, there’s no rain in the forecast for the rest of the day.  Greta and I took a looonnngggg walk earlier and while she is recovering with a nap, I turned my attention to our yard.  I know zilch about gardening or flowers or trees or shrubs, but I am excited to learn.  I told Chris that I need some books to read up on all of these beautiful pictures of plants that I am falling in love with online.  For instance, I want an array of wildflowers like these lining our entire fence in the backyard.

via apartment therapy

And once we get our edible garden planted (shooting for next year!) I really would love it to look like this:

found here

*Gasp* The diagonal action, right?  Beautiful and edible.  We really can’t wait.  But for now, while a lot of our effort money is going into getting our indoors up to par, we are happy with working with what we have been given outdoors.  Chris puts in a few hours a week outside taking care of the lawn, but we have noticed some of our shrubs need some attention.  At least we think they do.  We’re not 100% sure since we don’t know exactly what it is we have out there.  In fact, the only thing I do know is we have a large, fragrant lilac tree…and one that is still a shrub out back.

a.  Can these be shaped?  It is stunning, and we love having it, but it looks like it is out of control!  We are thinking of moving it as well, anyone know how lilacs react to being transported??

b.c.d.  Here’s a trio I am scared to touch.  We are talking WICKED thorns on all three, which made me originally think that they were all the same thing.  But look how different they look from each other.  Is “b” dead?  I am anxious to hear if anyone knows what these are so I can look them up and know what to expect year round.  If they are just thorns–well, they won’t last long ’round here, why would I keep them?

e.  These two I know are the same type of tree.  Which type?–I’m stumped, but I am excited to watch it change throughout the year.  Since we moved in in April, it has already blossomed and now has deep red leaves.  MMmmm.  Sign me up for more of these!  Speaking of–are you a member of the Arbor Day Foundation?  From what I understand, with a $10 membership, you get 10 flowering trees!  We are DEFINITELY looking into that.

f.g.  “F” stands for the type of tree in question in our front yard and “g” is the surrounding green….plants?  I was really hoping they were flowers, but these blades just keep getting longer and longer with no sign of something colorful appearing.  Bummer.