Spring is in the process of sprung-ing here in Richmond and we’re boiling over with excitement. Warm weather? Yes please. Green trees? Bring it. Flowers blooming? Duh, winning.
So to those of you who aren’t on the brink of spring yet, we thought we’d send a virtual dose of the season – courtesy of some photos of what’s starting to happen around here – like the little buds that are showing up on the hydrangeas that we’ve inherited.
Spring is especially exciting this year because we get to be surprised by whatever magically decides to pop up around the new house – and we finally get to see what our property looks like in all it’s bloomin’ glory. The daffodils are already on blast. Holla.
Oh and for those who don’t recognize the house above, it’s the back of ours. It’s definitely different than the original brick ranch facade in the front, right? We think it’s really funny that the addition was only built about 10 years later (in the 70’s instead of the 60’s) but it has such a different vibe. Someday we hope to unify things. Not sure how yet, but maybe it’ll come to me in a dream. Sidenote #1: I once had a dream about tiling our old shower surround with white subway tile about a year before actually deciding to embark on that adventure (and to use white subway tile).
But back to the weather. Even Burger is itching to get outside and kick off what will be many months of bug hunting in a new backyard. Here he is gazing longingly out the living room window. Sidenote #2: This shot of the bushes makes Sherry twitchy because she wants to trim them like crazy.
As for the temp, the daily highs around here have been wavering between the mid-50s and the high-60s, even stretching into the 70’s a couple of weeks back. And that means yard work is quickly creeping to the top of our to-do list (especially since we got started a few weeks back). Which reminds us, we owe you a more official “tour” of the exterior of our house. So put that in your “stay tuned” folder.
The only bummer that spring has sprung on us has to do with the tree in the front of the house. It has grown (or was planted?) crazy close to the foundation…
… and stretches up the side of the porch, sort of feathering out over the walkway to the front door. We’ve always known it probably has to go (aka we should take it out before it takes out any of the house). But it’s charming, darn it.
Especially covered in white blooms. See them below? Sidenote #3: I just typed “see them blow?” which was oddly entertaining to me (I dunno, kinda like “thar she blows”), so I stopped writing this post and told Sherry about it. She only found it marginally funny. Maybe it was a you-had-to-be-there thing.
Anyway, don’t those white flowers in the picture above (not blow) make you love it? Maybe white flowers are the tree equivalent to sad puppy dog eyes. Seems like a shame to remove that sweet little tree now. Especially since we don’t think we can save him since he’s basically on top of the house (so we anticipate a crazy root situation when we start digging). Oh and while we’re on the subject of said tree, does anyone know what it is? We have no idea.
Despite our little tree drama, we’re ready to enjoy spring to the fullest (holy buckets, it’ll be Clara’s first birthday before we know it). I wonder how good she’d be at mulching. Hmm…
Is anyone else getting a good dose of spring fever yet? Are temperatures up and flowers out in you area? Who’s shoveling snow today?
Kara says
Up in Southern NH we still have a foot of snow or so in our yard (the two feet on top of it have melted/been washed away in the last couple weeks). Spring still seems soooooo far away. What a terrible Winter.
We planted about 200 tulip and daffodil bulbs last year and can’t WAIT to see them.
Lindsey says
Hey guys! Love love LOVE the spring time and doing yard work! I feel so earthy when covered with dirt :)
Also, that looks like some sort of gardenia hybrid. Does it smell nice? It looks like it does! Enjoy it!
Leila says
I have been reading your blog for the past year, and I just love it — can’t get enough, seriously! But this is my first comment because I just had to tell you that the “tree” is actually a white camellia. We had one at my childhood home in Georgia for years. My (too eager-with-pruning-sheers) grandfather would always chop off the bottom branches, so it was more “tree-like” than most bushy camellias. They are just lovely in spring, so I hope you won’t have to uproot it!
Rachel E. says
Those flowers look amazing. My area in New York is flooded. The creek behind my apartment is flooding it’s banks. Many of us have been without power for a good portion of the week.
However, as much as it sucks, I feel the need to keep it in perspective when I see the news of Japan. Love & light everyone.
Joy K says
I know you had good intentions, but I must admit that your post just made me dread this weekend’s forecast of cold weather even more! We are going to Grand Forks, ND and it’s supposed to be around 12 degrees tomorrow with some more snow… I want green grass and flowers dangit!
Leslie says
I’m pretty sure that’s a camellia or something in that family. Those are really sweet flowers but when they die off & drop their leaves it is a MESS!!
Katie says
I have the same issue with a plant I inherited with my new house :( We have these HUGE bushes in front of the house and they are just taking over! My friend and I are going to try and save them by digging a moat around them and then carefully digging closer to the root ball. Hopefully we’ll be able to save them. If we can we will plant them in her big backyard where they can live.
Courtney says
It looks like a camellia tree. I happen to have grown up in the city self-named, “Home of the Camellias”. (Temple City, CA)
Katie @ Domestiphobia.net says
I have spring fever BIG time and this post didn’t help! The only thing I’m not looking forward to is all the outside work that needs to be done:
Filling in an old, stagnant pond
Gutter cleaning
Paint the porch railing
Lay sod where the dogs tore up the yard
Any tips? Wait – that’s a dumb question – I’m sure they’ll be coming all throughout the spring and summer!
:)
Gettinby says
Not a magnolia, too small, but if it smells amazing then it’s a gardenia. I’m so jealous, they are really hard to grow at my house. That said, they’re really a bush, and thats just a large shrub, not a tree, so you shouldn’t worry about the roots an such. Really.
kristen says
Looks like a camellia to me- we have tons of them in CA and they are blooming like crazy right now!
Marianne says
I would bet money that is a camellia that has turned more tree-like out of necessity. They like to be pruned (and I think this is the time of year you prune them, if I remember correctly). I would talk to a landscaper, there is a chance you could prune it and move it, if you can dig it up without hurting the main roots. They are fairly hearty and if you transplant to a more suitable area, fertilize, and give it lots of love it should bush out and be lovely.
Kristina Strain says
Had a big blizzard on Monday. No spring for us!
Ken says
I believe your tree is an early blooming crabapple tree.
Caitlin says
Looks like a crabapple of some variety to me
Kaely says
Looks like a Camilla of some kind? Too bad it’s so close to the house.
Kaely says
If only I could spell… I meant “camellia” not Camilla (certainly it’s not the Duchess of Cornwall).
Mary says
Agreed. It looks like a Camellia. They’re pretty hardy – it’s a shame you can’t save it.
samantha owens says
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!
1. you inherited hydrangeas?? my fav flower of all time, feel free to send me a few bouquets every now and then.
2. duh, winning. you guys are rockstars from mars.
Ashley says
Unfortunately, Phil lied and we woke up to 3 inches of snow in Pittsburgh – and we’re expected to get a few more inches today… so much for seeing our tulips this week :-( Y’all having great weather at least puts a little hitch in my giddy up (can’t believe that came out of my mouth), as the hubs and I are headed down to my parents’ home in Fredericksburg, VA.
Congrats on seeing green! Hope it’s on its way north!
Micah says
Glad to see that it is blooming somewhere! In Minnesota we still have tons of snow! Looking forward to spring it is the best time of year (in my opinion). Enjoy!
Kim says
J&S-
I know what it is! We have a similar one that is pink. It’s a “wild” camellia. That’s not an official name, but it is a camellia. It looks small-do you think you can move it? We did an addition on our house and moved a huge cultivated camellia and it seems to be fine!
MS says
Someone above mentioned that it looks like a magnolia, but I don’t think the leaves look “waxy” enough for that. To me it looks like it might be a crazy out of control Rose of Sharon, which is typically a shrub. We had a ton of those at our old house and the branch structure and blooms look just like that.
IF that’s what it is, the good news is that they kind of grow like weeds, so you may be able to cut part of it and root a whole new one to plant somewhere else.
Jen says
The tree is a Camellia. I have them all over my yard out here in California. I just love them. My favorite is to float the blooms in a large glass bowl of water. Add a few floating candles and it makes for a perfect centerpiece.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia
Maggie Rose says
Looks like a Magnolia tree to me – we have a ton of them here in Seattle (there is even a neighborhood named after them!) and I think they’re on the verge of blooming here (but it’s a little colder here).
This post makes me so excited to pick out plants for our garden this year. Do you think you’ll have time to do your veggies and herbs again?
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to at least do some! Pics when we tackle it!
xo,
s
eileen marie says
Chicago. Enough said. (But I will say more…spring should be rolling around about the last week of May.)
Erin says
Digging out from another snowstorm in Cleveland… the pics of your spring blooms make me hopeful that perhaps in May we’ll have some of the same! :)
Ro says
Ahhhh Poor True. Not winning! lol
I have no clue what kind of tree that is… its cute though. Le Sad… but it has to go. You are so right. Wayy too close for comfort.
Best,
Ro
marilyn says
I think the tree might be a camellia of some kind — perhaps something close to this: http://www.dunngardens.org/plants/spring/Camellia_Spring_Mist.html
I definitely see where Lindsay’s getting the magnolia vibe in those pretty white flowers, but magnolias tend to have those huge leathery leaves even when they’re still small!
MicheleLouise says
It looks like a camellia to me
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia
Alison says
Oh John, you marginally funny guy, you!!!! haha
Tiff Morrison says
Great minds think alike! I posted a few pictures of the sawyer magolias that are blooming here in Knoxville. The temps took a dip this week so it feels more winterlike than it actually looks. As I write this comment the clouds are parting, revealing a blue sky and the sun is saying “hello y’all!”
Dominique Christoffersen says
I’m going with Camillia.
Erica says
Agreed. It looks like a Camilla. More bush than tree. It is close to the house, but the roots are not going to be as big as a true tree, so worth looking into before chopping down.
Samma says
Pretty sure it’s a Camilla (and I grew up in Sacramento, Camilla capitol of the world). Are the leaves about 3 inches or so long, and a hard glossy green? and do the blossoms seem like they’re barely attached, and fall to the ground completely intact?
If it is a Camilla, it’s probably a pretty old plant to look so much like a tree. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/camellia/msg0311545611884.html has some tips.
Kristen says
it looks like a Camillia bush that’s way overgrown. I’m sure when it was planted it was meant to be small – but if you keep hacking the lower branches off those they grow upwards and look like trees!
Cait @ Hernando House says
Thanks for all the cheerful bloom pictures! We had a low of 36 last night. In March. In Florida.
But on the plus side, I did discover a cute, white-flowered vine in the planter next to our house while standing outside talking to a friend (in flipflops wondering why it was so cold). Pretty sure it’s a weed, but it was cheerful, darn it!
KATIE P says
Thats a Camelia bush. They don’t get very large (think tree large, its a very big bush), I’m not sure if the roots are such that they would mess with your foundation. Its a shame to cut it because they bloom in the dead of winter, mine normally blooms in December but since it was so cold its just now blooming. I say keep it, I have one growing super close to my house and have had no problems.
Anissa says
Wow! Spring has definitely not sprung here in MN yet. But like you guys, we get to discover our new backyard this spring!!! Hurray!
candace says
I could definitely be wrong, but it kind of looks like a camellia to me. We have some pink flowering camellias near our carport, and they are pretty tall as well.
Sophie says
Ha! Loved the Charlie Sheen reference too.
We’ve been having awesome temperatures that have lured me to pot some herbs (we’re renting, so I don’t want to actually put them in the ground) and put out some gorgeous sweet potato vine plants in the front. I’m ready for a little bit warmer temperatures so I can start to work on veggies!
Laurin says
Camellia japonica. These are a little invasive, but beautiful. It will transplant fine. xoxo
Laurin says
(if you put it in a moist, protected area… needs a little tlc. no full sun!)
Lauren H. says
That’s definitely a camellia of some sort. They are beautiful plants!
rachel says
Considering i live in the great country of Texas, its been in the 70s all week :) Take that, northerners!
Jackie K. says
We just shoveled up some snow yesterday. Spring is nowhere near Sprung-ing in Milwaukee.
Celia says
I think one of my favorite things about your blog is that you don’t take yourselves too seriously.. I frequently want to write down the hilarious (at least to me) things I accidentally type or think of as I write, so I’m so happy to see other people do that too and actually follow through :).
It’s still snowy and cold here, but that’s normal for Michigan in March! I’m jealous of your flowers though..
Kylie says
Yes, I agree it looks just like a japan Camellia. You’re supposed to transplant in early spring before blooming.
Carmen says
Green w/jealousy! We still have snow covering the ground here in WI, but it is melting, slowly. We should hit 40 by this weekend. Whoo hoo! LOL! It will be a few more weeks until I see my daffadils here. Can’t wait. Enjoy your beautiful spring.
Rachael says
Thanks for sharing the beautiful weather and cheery blooms! Sadly, it’s still rainy and gray in Seattle (although that’s not entirely surprising!).
Jamie says
I’m in Boston and we’re definitely not at the stage you guys are at (so great to see those pics in your yard!) I’m happy to see more rain than snow but there’s still a few weeks to go before the snow is all melted. Spring couldn’t come soon enough! When it arrives, I am ready to do any of the following: plant tomatoes and try my hand at vegetable gardening, shop at the farmer’s market, go kayaking, wear sandals, do some spring cleaning, hear the sound of a lawnmower and smell fresh grass and flowers… It’s been a loooong winter. I’m pretty sure my dog is battling seasonal affective disorder, and maybe my husband too! bring on the warm temps, stat!
LaLaLand says
You’re photos make me swoon. There’s a blizzard warning in effect in ND for the rest of today and into the weekend. Enough said.
almk42 says
This is funny. You are describing the state of our yard at our new house in Raleigh (moved in October) from the hydrangea and daffodils, right down to the oddly placed tree. I have no idea what half the plants/shrubs in our 0.4 acre yard are, so I’m going to spend this year seeing what dies (I don’t have a huge green thumb), cleaning out the mess of ivy and dead stuff in our front yard and taking pictures of things so I can identify them and plan for landscaping next year.
Speaking of removing trees, do you know how to do that? We have a still small magnolia tree planted in between our front walkway and house, in a space about 3 feet wide. I thought it was crazy, and surely it couldn’t be a magnolia for real, but several people have confirmed its magnolia-ness and craziness. I’d like to TRY to transplant it, since it’s small, and it’s just going to get cut down anyway, but I have no idea how to get the root ball out with a prayer of having it survive. In fact, I am just barely aware of the existence of root balls, and that’s only because I payed attention in AP Bio in high school. Help?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha we were clueless too, but thankfully there are tons of detailed comments about how to do it (and links) thanks to smart green thumbed readers!
xo,
s
Tia says
I transplated a ~10ft tall magnolia tree (a gangly one), and it did just fine. They don’t have huge root balls, so you only need to dig out a foot or two around it depending on its size.