First year garden

I was away from the house for a few days and when I came back I discovered that the gardens had really started to show off! Following are a few pictures of what I saw this morning. I'm going to try to get pictures of everything once they bloom to have a before and after.

Peony #1

Little pink azalea

Peony #2

Looks like it'll be a red azalea

Hosta, not very exciting to me but still pretty

More hosta and Banana Head and Blueberry Head and their little bunny friend. I gave my gnomes to the boys and asked them to find places for them in the garden. Names by Carl.

LILACS!!!!! I thought these were viburnum and I was ready to take them out, so glad I waited. These are my most favorite flower and the far one is right outside our bedroom window. Can't wait to have the window open once they bloom!

Full of so many buds! I can't wait!

Peony #3

Lovely iris

Dogwood

An unnamed friend in the juniper, Jack was so proud to have found such a perfect place for him.

Spirea, should have some pretty little flowers soon

Another lilac! Jack said we need to trim it back because it was over the sidewalk and I said no sir, you can walk around it. They were definitely planted in a space that is not ideal, they get so large!

Jordan was working on my new garden in the front while I was away. We're not digging except to put the wall in, we'll build up so we don't disturb the tree. I have a number of partial shade plants I will put here. Hydrangea, bleeding heart, lily of the valley, anemone and hellebore to name a few. The plan is to have most of the front of the house as gardens and meadow eventually. The back will be yard for playing, the front will be a bird, bee and butterfly haven.

My chonky squirrel I got from a local cement place. It makes me smile. They had a huge selection of items, it was hard to leave with just one.

Phlox and rose, I'm waiting to see what type of rose it is. If it's a knock out I'll be rehoming them, but if they're more interesting I'll find a new home around here for them as this garden is in the way of the basketball area. The sticks in the back mark the lilac babies we planted that will eventually make a bit of a hedge if they take. 

Pretty sure these are apple trees. Plan to add more fruit trees behind them and make a mini orchard.

Eli chose some snapdragons at the store, he also chose the bulbs in this planter earlier this year.

Eli loves picking out flowers and helping plant them.

Lavender, rosemary, an upright red phlox, deep purple iris, creeping thyme, lambs ear and red clover all waiting for a place. Trying to decide if the intended spot gets enough sun. 

I hope you enjoyed the little garden tour! Any flowers you would recommend? The more interesting the better. My good friend gave me a gift card to Brent & Beckys bulbs, so I have been marking up the catalog. I also have been looking at some iris sellers, I want a selection of interesting iris. I would love to eventually have a garden that's a blend of Aunt Marys and Granmas. I have to keep telling myself to slow down so I don't go crazy and get burnt out!