Saturday, May 30, 2026

Meanwhile, in the Yard

One of the best things about this time of year is seeing things "wake up" and being able to be outside. I don't have a great garden and the backyard is more weeds than lawn, but I've been enjoying the birds, blooms and critters.

 

I think I've given up grass for Creeping Charlie (which is actually kind of pretty.)

 

The allium is one of my favorites. My neighbor has it in abundance and enough has spread over the fence that I have some too! This is one I wish lasted all summer.

 

Another short-lived flower that I wish stayed all year is the lily of the valley. It grows by the back door and when the breeze is right, a beautiful fragrance wafts in. The groundhog attempting to burrow under the house took out some of this last year, but much remains and hopefully will continue to spread.

 

For the first time in years, the clematis has some blooms. It's in a horrible place. Last year Rick trimmed the bushes and not knowing the clematis was there, knocked that out It's back. I may go out and carefully prune, being sure not to attack the wrong spot!

 

I won't even show you the front yard because Audrey Two -- the out-of-control sweet pea -- has taken over all space. Some weeders are coming next week to thin that out and take care of the weeds. I fear this overgrowth is so bad that my strawberries won't get enough light to ripen. But I have salvaged a small haul from the potted berries. A very small haul.

 

I've been doing lots of clipping and thinning. I tend not to plant much because when you disappear for two or three months, what's the point? But the critters don't seem to mind! This little lady was snatching up birdseed from a planter. I'm hoping I've moved the feeders enough that he can't devour from there (although Mr. Chips can!).

 

As for the birds, this handsome fellow was enjoying the suet feeder. He's new to the yard from previous years.

 

And so, too, was this sparrow -- eating for two. 

 

And sharing it!  

 
And yes, there was a young bunny or two as well. Though if you look closely, you can barely see his ears and little eye from behind Peter Rabbit, a kindred rabbit spirit!

 

Summer life is good. Finally! 

Sharing with:   Love Your Creativity    

51 comments:

Tom said...

...early in the spring I cut our clematis to the ground and they grow and flower well.

Sue in Suffolk said...

A single allium just like yours has popped along the road among the grass etc on the verge, I'm just hoping the council don't come and mow it too soon

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

all of the flowers are so pretty and the feel of summer is so evident. Glad you salvaged at least 2 strawberries. I bought strawberries at the farmer's market today and there were 6 berries in the pint container for $5 !! I love all your photos. Enjoy the summer

Tracy said...

Alliums don't last long, but they are certainly pretty when they bloom. Like you, I wish they would last all Summer.

Anvilcloud said...

What a great time of year. Whether our gardens and lawns are big or little or pristine or jumbled, it's all good. Sue put her pots and planters together just this morning, and out little perennial patch is doing its best.

Acorn Hollow said...

I have a few allium growing by the back door they don't multiply like I wished.
Cathy

Linda Stoll said...

It seems like I've loved this spring more than ever! Maybe it was the blizzards and the cold of early 2026. But those memories are behind me and I'm enjoying the birdsong, the flowers, turning the compost pile, puttering around, and walking just for the love of it.

Happy weekend to you, friend!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks for the yard garden tour, and the clematis is a beauty. Summer weather is very fickle here in NH, warm a few days then chilly and rainy for the next few.

Boud said...

One of my neighbors grows alliums and I usually stop to admire them. I've never been able to get lily of the valley going, but I'd like to. The scent is so good. I see your point about not planting a lot before leaving for the summer. Do you get it mowed while you're away?

Joyful said...

A beautiful time of year isn't it? I love the capture of mama bird feeding her baby.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Your photos are absolutely stunning, dear friend! I feel as though I was right there with you sharing in all this beauty!

Red Rose Alley said...

Your neighbor's allium is so pretty. And a striking color! The cleamatis is pretty as well. It will be nice to have some workers over next week for some weeding. I do have to get someone out here to do the lawn....again. The little chipmunk made me chuckle, and you'll have to come by on Monday to hear my grocery story hehehe. That is a handsome red-headed bird. A woodpecker possibly? I DO see the little bunny behind your bunny statue. I had to look very close though. June is almost here, and I wish you wonderful June days, Jeanie.

Pamela said...

I love your yard! I live in a second floor apartment, so I appreciate seeing your many treasures.

Prims By The Water said...

Am loving everything finally turning green now. Cute squirrel. We have lots of chipmucks. Wish I had my phone camera ready as one came up to me only a foot away tonight. Janice

Granny Sue said...

I enjoyed your wild garden. Isn't it interesting how nature just does its thing, with or without our help? Or should I say, our interference?

Lorrie said...

Spring is looking wonderful in your corner. Those strawberries are lovely; too bad there are so few of them.
That's a beautiful clematis. I love the colour. We're experiencing mostly seasonal temperatures just now and the garden is flourishing. It's such a lovely time of year.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I also love allium. I planted some years ago and it came back a couple of years and never returned. Gardening is not for the faint of heart. There are wows and there are woes! I always hope for more wows! Happy upcoming June!

Chrissy T said...

That Allium is breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you for taking us around your outdoor area!!! I could imagine when you are gone like that it would be hard to plant things.

My name is Erika. said...

I have creeping Charlie too, and it is also everywhere. Including the lawn and about all the gardens. I don't mind it either though. It's fun to see your yard. And all the spring birds and blooms. And it is even more fun that we are in spring now too. Have a super rest of your weekend. hugs-Erika

peppylady (Dora) said...

I forgot about creeping Charlie.

Miss Merry said...

Such a beautiful oasis!

Gretchen Joanna said...

I suppose you get enough rain throughout the summer that your garden (and weeds!) don't need someone to come and irrigate for you?

That clematis is gorgeous. That is a plant I have never grown...

DVArtist said...

I love seeing how your garden grows. So pretty and a lot of action going on with animals and birds.

anno said...

So glad you're starting to feel glimmerings of summer! I love your allium & the delicate pink clematis, even the Creeping Charlie. So sorry about your poor strawberry harvest -- that's the heartbreak of gardening: the hopes, the ambitions, followed too quickly by the crushing reality. Oh well. Did you & Rick share your harvest? Maybe a berry dropped in a flute of champagne?

Linda Sue said...

little mother squirrel so cute- I may have given her the harvest of strawberries, you know, for the squirrel children. A worthy cause.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Jeanie, your photos are absolutely gorgeous.

Modrina Neba - Blue Sky said...

I like spring because of the beautiful flowers, the sun, and the singing birds.
Sunday hug, Andreja

DeniseinVA said...

Loved looking at your photos Jeanie, it really was a pleasure to look at each one. Have a great Sunday and a wishing you a very happy June!

roentare said...

Your garden is delightfully untamed, full of fragrance, surprises, determined flowers, and equally determined critters

Shari Burke said...

I adore allium! I like lily-of-the-valley too but I have to be careful with flowers because some, particularly the ones that are scented, give me migraines. I never go sticking my nose into blooms to smell them and I've had to remove some lovely flower arrangements from my home in the past. Anyway, I'm so glad you're enjoying the season!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Good to see your garden providing delight, Jeanie. No doubt the Red-bellied Woodpecker enjoyed his visit. Yes, it is a male!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Beautiful flowers, I'd love to have a lily of the valley. I do adore white flowers with delicate fragrances.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
I love all your flowers, just beautiful. The birds are great and love the cute bunny statue. I would like to grow the Allium. Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

La Table De Nana said...

The earth laughs in flowers:)This time of yr is glorious.I fell though trying to protect my irises with heavy duty half hoops,carrying ten ,8 too many ..Sprained my tumb.When will I learn

shoreacres said...

Your squirrel's a her, not a him; see all those nicely arranged nipples made just for the purpose of nourishing some babies? It might not be so long before she's introducing her youngsters to this wonderful source of food! I was surprised by your creeping charlie. You'd mentioned it before, and I imagined it like ours, which has the same name, but differently shaped leaves and white flowers. That's the primary reason scientific names are so important; it helps everyone know they're talking about the same thing!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

A wonderful time of year—-for sure.
Love to see the new growth, especially the Lily of the Valley,
Clematis, and, of course, the birdies and other little wonders.
Thanks for sharing, Jeanie.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous Allium, and trellis that Clematis, in front of it, then no chance of getting chopped down. That is how mine survived, One we had for over 30 years. Yes, it is lovely right now, we are finding everything is taking us twice as long though, and only hard work every OTHER day, LOL, enjoy! Sandi

Jenn Jilks said...

We always had a teeny garden in the city. Mom had a veggie garden at the cottage. Mom and I left to come home before any veggies actually got ripe! It was silly!
I found a cure for weeds today. Whipper snipper. To heck with it all!

Joyful said...

I think your garden look lovely and the birds and other critters certainly will enjoy it no matter what! Enjoy your Sunday. xx

Kari Rogers Miller said...

Jeanie thanks for the visit to your garden and it's inhabitants or visitors as it may. I had to chuckle about your lily of the valley comment because if Rita sees it, I know what she will say. I won't spoil it for her...only if she sees this post and my comment. I wish I could hang suet and bird feeders but our critters will not leave them alone and the birds don't get any of the food. I am still missing our cardinal pair, but since hurricane Ian hit here...they have been MIA. Have a wonderful day my friend.🥰

The Happy Whisk said...

I agree! Today was such a day where we got to wake up and get outside. Delightful.

EricaSta said...

Indeed, the garden now in springtime is a wonder each year. We enjoy this too very much. I read here with great pleasure.

Iris Flavia said...

So beautiful! I hope not only the flowers but some "love" spreads over from your neighbor, too!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Jeanie, your gardens looks is lovely. Allium is so pretty. I should add some to my garden, because my husband loves purple. It is always fun to see the visiting critters.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Loved the tour of your yard. I wish I could smell your lily-of-valley. It was my mom's favorite flower and favorite perfume. Thanks for the memory. One day I will blog about my deck squirrel who comes by every day for animal cracker and an occasional blueberry.

gigi-hawaii said...

You have a beautiful garden with all those glorious flowers. Loved your photos of the birds, too. Enjoy!

Jenny Woolf said...

Your garden looks like a wonderful cross between wild and cultivated...i am sure the birds and animals appreciate it as it'll be full of things they can eat.!!

Sandra Cox said...

Oh, Jeanie. Your garden looks so serene and lovely. I can practically feel the sunshine and a light breeze blowing.

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh Jeanie, your photographs are wonderful, I enjoyed every one of them.
Great post.
Happy June wishes.

All the best Jan

Carola Bartz said...

The Allium is stunning! Good thing that it spread over from the neighbor's yard. Here, they unfortunately don't do well, not the right climate. I assume you know that Lily of the Valley is highly poisonous, so make sure that Lizzie doesn't get there!

Marilyn Miller said...

OK, I must have lost what I already wrote. Love your wildlife and birds. What a lovely spread of allium. I always was sad our allium didn't last longer in my house garden. Love, love lily of the valley, but wasn't very successful in keeping it alive. Oh, bunnies like strawberries. Hoping he finds one or two.

Popular Posts