Stop & Smell the Roses

"Double Decadence"
That's the name of this rose bush. It's huge too! It's a tea rose and smells so heavenly.

The minature rose garden in the side yard. Seems like I was supposed to take a picture of the side yard. Well it's not really complete, but I will take a pic of the progress. We still haven't figured out the whole making a brick path thing. The white rose is "Iceberg", the pink rose middle is "Double Decadence" and the red rose on the left is "Mister Lincoln". The red rose bush we had growing up in my mom's garden. When we were at the nursery looking for these roses I saw this one. It was so healthy looking and had one rose bloomed on it. I just thought to myself... Hmm I wonder if... and it was a Mister Lincoln. I just can't tell you the memories we have associated with this rose bush among others mom had in her garden. I can't wait to get the others we loved so much as children. This has really been such a nice week to come out and smell my roses and see what bloomed. It has been stressful at work, but when I get home and walk outside... everything is better when I see and smell these roses. They are worth more to me than we actually paid for them, let me just say that. I'm very pleased and happy my hubby insisted I buy 2 of them. Together they were $25. You just can't beat that! I'm in love :)

My Variegated Hyrdrangea

Makes for a lovely centerpiece for our dinner in the garden. She's a beauty. So unique. I think I am the only person with a variegated hydrangea. Very similar to the lacecap hydrangeas.

My 1st Viola

I've been hoping I would get at least one flower out of my little viola seeds before the hot weather hits and kills them. Sure enough I got one. And another is coming up right now. I will have to remind myself next time to plant these in the fall instead of the spring so they can last longer. These are one of my favorite flowers and perfect for LSU colors. Geaux Tigers!

Roses

Easter weekend Markus bought me my first rose bush. For this I was very excited. It was a great price and looked amazing considering it was from a big box store. We all know how those plants just aren't taken care of the same way nurseries take care of their plants. Its a white rose. Iceberg. I was happy to see the name. We had an Iceberg bush in mom's rose garden growing up. I loved it too. It's the kind of rose bush that has lots of blooms on one stem. I actually have completely forgotten to take a picture of it. It had blooms all over it this week and smelled so sweet. I just love the sweetness of walking in the yard and the breeze comes through and the smell of the roses hits you. Ahh... I love it! Pictures to come soon.

Seeds

I have morning glory seedlings popping up, viola seedlings (not the right season either), lavendar, sweet pea, and four o'clocks coming. I'm very excited for these. Markus even told me the other day (I check their progress daily) that even though I obsessively check them doesn't mean they will grow faster. I had to laugh. I just wanted to see if I had another one pop up. Now I've just got to find a place for them. I'm just excited I can grow things. I love when I plant seeds and up they come. Pretty cool! Can't wait til they get bigger. I might just have to post a pic of these little seedlings!

P.S. I have one bud on my tulips. Hopefully she peeks her head this week :)

My "New" Prized Jewel

I couldn't pass her up at Home Depot. This Pink Jasmine was screaming my name. I first saw the small pots. Then I layed eyes on the large pots which were only $24.98. I just thought for the size of the plant I had to have the big one. It is so beautiful and is now taking center stage in the corner of the deck. I rearranged everything it the Pink Jasmine would be the center of attention. Boy does she shine. Also had the chance to work on the side yard a little bit more. Not ready to show off yet. It's still a work in progress. Can't wait til it's done!

It's just now spring without Jasmine. In the background you can see the neighbor's Confederate Jasmine. I chopped all of it down on our side because it was getting everywhere. I might repaint the trellis and make some blue morning glory go up or side. I haven't decided yet though.

Waiting...

The same animal that would eat my camelia buds is the same one that would eat my tulip bulbs right out of the pot. So I finally moved them out of the pot into my front yard where you can just barely see the leaves springing out of the dirt. I can't wait til they bloom. I only have 3 bulbs now, but hopefully they come soon before all the hot weather sets in. I guess we'll see.

At Last

I've been waiting for this Camelia to bloom. I would get so excited to see a bud on this bush and I'd come back to check on it and what do you know mysteriously it was gone. Nothing frustrated me more than that. I couldn't figure out what was happening til I looked over at my freesia in a pot and my gerbera daisy and they all were dug out with holes. Either a bird or squirrel kept eating the buds on the Camelia and gerbera daisy and the bulbs in my pot, grr.. But at last it's finally bloomed and stayed through the process. Now I know it wasn't the white with red stripes Camelia like the picture said it was. Good to know. :)

This blog is dedicated to all the weekend projects that will be coming up and will never cease in my true love, the garden. It's where all the hard work pays off and the fruits of my labor shine through.
Spring is almost in the air here. Now I've got to go get my hands dirty!