Landscaping 101

I think both Richie and I could stand to take a landscaping class. Evidence: at the nursery yesterday, Corey (the wonderful guy who always helps us) says, "You know when you fertilize your plants twice a year...." and keeps talking before noticing the blank stare on our faces. He pauses and says, "How often do you fertilize your plants?" Our response was one of shock. You have to fertilize plants!? Poor Corey. He tries!


So with this new knowledge, we loaded up on plants and even a tree to spruce up our bare yard. We had to wrestle over plant choice because, well, Richie likes only boring plants that are easy to care for and that he has grown before, and I like pretty plants that are easy to care for. We agreed on a bed with two types of azaleas (Richie's comfort pick) and a bed of hydrangeas and a Chinese snowball plant (my pick!). The azaleas went in the bed with Richie's pick from last year, the Japanese Maple. We had to move these two Christmas tree-like plants my mom got but I like them better in their new home by our patio. The hydrangeas joined my Holly Skyrockets from last year. When you come visit, you can judge for yourself which bed you like better :)


I've had a killer headache the past few days, so Richie had to dig the holes himself. I filled the holes in with potting soil and then he planted everything. I think it turned out great!! And I think we should get an A+ for teamwork (even if I did leave mid-planting to get a massage...hey, when she has an appointment available, you have to take it!).


We are going to put a Little Gem Magnolia tree in the backyard. I LOVE this tree. I wanted one last year, but we were maxed out on our landscaping budget. Thankfully we were able to get it this year, and it gets planted tomorrow. Yay! We are also planting gardenias along our back patio tomorrow. I can't wait! Richie also agreed that we should put up some lattice work and grow Jasmine around the patio. When things get growing, it is going to be so pretty in the backyard. Who knew I liked landscaping so much? Unfortunately, I think all these plants and nursery visits are what caused this three-day long massive headache :( It is going to be a long spring...


Here are pictures of all the hard work my wonderful, talented husband did to make our yard look super pretty.

These are Sweet Olives (I think?) that will grow tall and wide for privacy. And they smell heavenly!

The Chinese Snowball. This sucker gets 15 feet tall. Can't wait!

The hydrangeas and holly skyrockets.

The Japanese Maple and azaleas.