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Old 05-26-2009, 08:26 PM   #1
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Springtime in East Central Illinois

Being inspired by Eileen's pictures of how spring has arrived at her part of the world, and being that this year our yard seems especially beautiful, I am compelled to post these pictures. All the hard work that these pictures represent is attributed to my DH. This too is exceptional because before we moved to this house 10 years ago the man's motto was "If you can't mow it, don't grow it!" Now he is attempting to take as much grass out of production as possible. He is designing a bridge/walkway over one of the burms (was just a walkway until recently) and he has built an arbor and a four-plex for our neighborhood sparrows. I'll get some pictures of those things and post later.

So, thanks for letting me be proud of his accomplishments and share them with you.













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Old 05-26-2009, 08:43 PM   #2
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i love love love the columbines...i so miss those. and your hosta bed is just lovely! that makes two lovely hosta beds i have seen in one week. i am wondering if they grow here or if it is too hot...are they a shade-loving plant? i will have to consult my florida gardening book....thanks for the lovely pics....
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Old 05-26-2009, 09:33 PM   #3
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Beautiful, Barb!! Two big green thumbs up to Bob!!

I love the columbines too - they're one of my favourite flowers because they remind me of my Grandma's house. I have a little patch of them but they struggle where I've got them. I can't believe how far along your peonies are! Funny what a difference warm weather makes... my peonies are only about 10" high and show no sign of buds yet at all! They generally don't start to bloom until around the first week of July!!
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Old 05-26-2009, 09:36 PM   #4
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Gorgeous flowers and hostas!
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Old 05-26-2009, 09:49 PM   #5
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We actually have a couple of "sun loving" hostas in different places. One is called "Fried Green Tomatoes". I can't remember the name of the other variety.

Donna, our peonies are suppose to bloom right around Memorial Day so this year they are right on time. Some springs that are warmer than this one finds them bloomed and gone by this time.

Next up will be the Day Lillies and the other lilliums which will probably bloom during the month of June.

What we really need to find are some late summer and fall color for the garden, so it's really a work in progress.
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Old 05-27-2009, 01:48 AM   #6
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How beautiful.
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Old 05-27-2009, 05:16 AM   #7
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Beautiful flowers.
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Old 05-27-2009, 08:53 AM   #8
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How beautiful!!!
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Old 05-27-2009, 09:17 AM   #9
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Great pictures Barb!!
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Old 05-27-2009, 09:27 AM   #10
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Beautiful pics
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Old 05-27-2009, 10:06 AM   #11
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Oh, my...!! Tell Bob that I heartily approve of his skills.

That hosta bed is divine and so perfectly spaced!

The columbines make my pulse race and the just-about-to-burst peonies.... be still my heart!

Love close-up of the clematis too.... sigh.

Ijust love flowers.
Eileen

PS - are you guys just past the redbuds and iris combination that used to knock me flat when we lived in East Central Illinois? All that glorious purple!
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Old 05-27-2009, 10:47 AM   #12
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Beautiful!!!!!!!!
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:37 AM   #13
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One note about the dark pink Peonies. They are cuttings from plants my father planted for me from his plants. Please note, the original cuts from his plants were put in the ground by him about 40 years ago. They were originally planted at the house we lived at for more than 30 years and then the ones we have now are cuts from them. So, the original plants are/were probably 50+ years old and were still blooming the last time I saw them less than 4 years ago! My mom and dad passed away a few years ago but up to the end their yard was my dad's pride and joy. They had the most amazing soil and with his green thumb it was very nice. It's a real joy to look at them and have such nice memories.
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Old 05-27-2009, 12:28 PM   #14
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Now this is some beautiful gardening! I love the combinations of color and texture. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous, I hope you'll post some more. And I love the history behind your peonies!

Kudos to your DH for his hard work.
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Old 05-27-2009, 06:11 PM   #15
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Great pics!
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