More bed expansions

With my husbands help we expanded the shade garden on both sides creating a more defined entrance. This also allows more room for my large blue hosta, which was crowding the coral bell and japanese painted fern.

Now that the bed is moved out, time to move the plants.

You want what, where!

Some one is looking very pleased with himself.

Wow, a month later and it's looking good.

There is a story behind this Japanese lantern. I have had my eye on a granite japanese lantern for 2 years. I figured eventually it would go on sale. Then for my birthday my hubby found this little one and gave it to me. I was very touched but said it was too small. So I put it on the ground next to the ferns were I have envisioned the lovely granite  lantern to show him how dwarf it looked next to the large ferns. John said no problem, reached down and picked it up and placed it on top of the rock. Then he looked at me and said looks perfect to me, and I have to agree. I do love it and as far as the granite lantern, well just think how many more plans I can buy instead. 

And this is my little lantern now

and the expanded shade garden now.

This summers new projects

Expanding the porch bed

                                                               Ta-da the porch bed is now complete with the addition of 5 groups of  tulips, daffodils, coral bells and pansies.

It is June and I am about to post pictures from April. Oh well here goes

Okay okay I have been very neglectful. I will try do do better, it has been a very busy 2 months. These are pictures mostly from April.

My sister calls these blue bellsThis is Zuzu out for a spring strollAnd Zuzu with his brother TaoThis is the Front Entrance Garden. A work in progress.The Bleeding Heart in the rainin full bloomtrying to fine the right combination

The White Pelicans at Lake Nelson

I have been neglecting my blog, sorry. About a month ago my sister, Char took me to Lake Nelson in Batavia Il. to see the migrating White Pelican's. Last year there were as many as 300 Pelicans on the lake at a time. I imagine that would be quite a spectacular sight so I was very excited to go see these pelican's for myself. As you can see from the picture above not a pelican in sight. It seems the Forest Preserve decided that was a perfect day for a burn.

This tree was still burning. I thought it looked pretty cool, though the picture doesn't quite capture it.

In the end the only bird we saw was this one. It was a little disappointing that the pelican's were gone but the day was calm, the lake was like glass, the sunset was superb. 

It was a good day.

And then the moon came out.

What is a Bleeding Heart

This is a picture of my bleeding Heart At the end of its blooming period last year. Maybe not the best picture but it will give Lindsey an idea wat this perennial will look like in a month or two.

Here is a White Bleeding Heart

As you can tell, I love Bleeding Hearts I have a total of three in my gardens. If you have shade they are a wonderful addition for any shade or part shade bed. I have seen them in full sun but they will do much better where they are happiest in the shade.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

the first flower

 my beloved bleeding heart emergesI definitely need more crocusWell they say March is back tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed the last three day's.

Hello from the Chicago Flower & Garden Show

So this was a first for me, I have lived in the suburbs of Chicago most of my life and am sorry to say that I am not a frequent visitor of this fabulous city. After much hinting, pouting and cajoling my husband agreed to take me to the flower show, Yeah!!! I was so very happy, it has been a log winter here in Chicago land and we are all more than ready for spring. Off we went on the opening Saturday, I chose Saturday over Sunday because of the speakers. I was looking forward to hearing Richard Eyre of "Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery" in Woodstock, Ill. talk on inspirational gardens and and Mark Zilis on Hosta Highlights. So after looking at everyone else's blog pictures I have decided to try this again and post my pic's too, here goes.

I just LOVE WATER FEATURES don't you

Ooh Wisteria

So that is that, I think maybe I really can do this blog thing.  What do you think?