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?
Julie Ball says
John, I am uber impressed at your channeling of Charlie Sheen with your sentence, “Duh, winning.” Although, I’m not sure you really wanted to be channeling him:)
Donita says
I’m ready for SPRING!! Thanks for helping me along. LOL
I too, think that is a flowering crabapple tree, it could be a Syringa though. The flowers are not full enough for Camelia’s JMO. ;-)
Jennifer says
Note 1: It’s gross here in Toronto today, snow/rain, cold, grey – So THANK YOU for the spring photos…they really helped remind me that someday soon we too will have little buds popping up!!
Note 2: I just had a huge lunch and have that food drunk feeling right now…I literally just busted out in laughter at your sidenote #3. I mean my colleagues just came over to find out what was so funny….they didn’t get it. They didn’t eat as much as I did apparentely!
Happy Spring:)
Katrina says
My hydrangeas are still buried by snow. I’m excited for spring because, like you, we get to be surprised by what is in our yard (other than the poison ivy I found last fall…). I bought some seeds to start with my 2 year old – no time like the present to teach her about gardening!
Micha says
You know, you might want to try to move it. It doesn’t appear to huge yet and would probably not cause any damage to your house until fall this year. Once it goes dormant for the winter, you might be able to dig it up and plant it elsewhere so you can enjoy the blooms. Worth checking with somebody knowledgeable from a nursery perhaps?
Ashley says
Jealous face in Minnesota!!!
Judi B says
Take a picture to Great Big Greenhouse or Southern States and see if someone there can help you identify it. I’m thinking it looks sort of camelia like previous posters too. Maybe if you can spare the whole tree you could root a branch or something? Once you identify it maybe you can figure out the best way to propogate and enjoy it a better location.
NettyC says
Beautiful Blue Skies in South Louisiana. Spring is Springing!
Stefanie says
Well since I’m only about 40 miles North of you I know exactly the kind of weather you’re talking about! I can’t wait until our 70 degree day tomorrow, especially after all that rain we’ve gotten!
The third picture in this post there appears to be a walk out basement portion of your house? Have we been introduced to this before and I’m losing my mind? Please, do tell!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we shared pics of the basement in our first “we moved in” post and there’s one on our House Tour page too (but it doesn’t come up very often so you’re not crazy- haha).
xo,
s
Marcia says
A lot of people may have said already, but the tree is a Rose of Sharon. They usually have white or pink flowers and bloom in the spring (unlike Camellias, which bloom in fall or winter).
http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/treeDetail.cfm?id=170
Erin says
Pretty sure it’s a Camellia as well – we had one near my old house that got HUGE. They’re pretty hardy so if you can transplant it, it’ll probably do fine and get much more bush-like.
stephanie says
I just posted this little spring preview the other day!!
http://twigstwine.blogspot.com/2011/03/way.html
Emily Davis says
I’m pretty sure that is a camellia. Too bad you don’t think you can save it; they are beautiful in full bloom and smell devine! We have two crepe myrtles in front of our house with the same problem– planted WA-AY too close to the house. Why do people do that?!?
Beth says
It’s a camellia. White blooms are more fragrant than colored blooms, lucky you! We live just across the river by U of R, and have one in full bloom also. Ours is pale pink. We clip the blooms and put them in bud vases. It smells yummy!
Melanie says
Oh, yes indeed. Several plants are blooming already: 2 camellias, 1 Japanese magnolia, a Bradford pear tree, bougainvillea, and some of my azaleas. I love a colorful yard!
Kiran says
Loving all the roses and blooms around the house. Can’t wait for magnolias to bloom. We have a similar situation with our red maple tree being too close to our home & foundation. Sheeesh!!!
Karrie says
That’s great news if it’s a camellia. You shouldn’t feel *too* bad about cutting it down. Also better to save your foundation than to save a shrub! Our temps are on par with yours (I’m in TN) so Spring is almost here! Woohoo! Currently blooming around here is forsythia, daffodils, hyacinths, star magnolia and pink magnolia (? the variety that looks like pink tulips) and bradford pears.
Jessica says
When we bought our house three years ago in the winter, we were similarly excited to see what landscaping spring would reveal. Unlike you lucky ducks, our house was completely surrounded by a two-foot-wide brick border filled with gravel. No flowers, no shrubs, no mulch, not even any weeds! My wonderful husband used a lot of elbow grease (and a 4-wheeler/trailer) to dig it all up last summer. It has since been replaced with composted dirt and pretty plants–now this spring I am actually excited to see it all reappear!
Deirdre says
Its still snow covered and cool here in Minnesota. We expect some weather in the 50’s next week, but March is our snowiest month, so who knows what is still in store. If we waited until it got beyond the 60’s to start yard work, we wouldn’t do anything until May/June. Once the snow is gone, you have to be out pruning and trimming, and then as the ground thaws you can mulch. We’re HIGHLY advised not to plan anything in the ground until after May 15 so we still have quite a ways to go. Envious of you, and loving the greenery!
Jenn says
Leaves are wrong shape and size for magnolia. It’s a camellia. I have one in my back yard, a little one in my front yard, and my Nanny’s yard was covered in them. Never had one that tall, though.
My Granny had one in front of a big picture window. They eventually cut it down. It got too big (see?) and was *very* messy. It dropped leaves and flowers and made a nice place for snakes to hide. When camellia flowers drop, they drop as a whole flower. (Not as messy as magnolias. Those seed pods and the giant leaves are obnoxious. I prefer my neighbors to have them. So I can enjoy them, but don’t have to clean up after them. ;-) )
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
So funny how only a couple hundred miles north in Arlington, we have much more marginal signs of spring. We were going full bore a few weeks ago but now seems that things have slowed down. Bummer :)
gillian says
Oh, I am so very jealous!
We just got another dose of wet, heavy snow mixed with rain up here in Guelph, Ontario. I am itching to get outside and start some yard clean up. Com on, Spring!
carolinaheartstrings says
I am further south than you are. North Carolina and thanks to a good dose of rain and hopefully a huge dose of sun this weekend, it will be gorgeous here. We have a lot of trees in bloom. Cannot wait for them all to pop!
Amy says
We had a rose of sharon bush growing right up on the foundation when we moved in last fall. It attracted a bunch of hummingbirds and broke my heart when we had to remove it.
We are in north GA and are getting plenty of flowers. We actually have to mow this weekend, ugh.
I would love to see some more exterior posts this spring. I need some ideas.
Lindsey d. says
Spring has definitely sprung in south Louisiana. I’ve already mowed my grass once and the backyard is in desperate need. My winter blooming Japanese Magnolia lost the last of its blooms just in time for my azaleas to start showing off their hot pink…
Rachel says
Like many others have said, it’s a camellia (we have two in our yard). They bloom in the fall, winter and early spring and are a nice dose of color during the drearier months. I have no advice about moving it, but my mom used to be the head horticulturist for the American Camellia Society so I could pick her brain for you if you want. :) There are nurseries that sell young plants which IMHO would be easier than transplanting (but not as stodgy!).
We have had similar temps to you guys lately (we live in GA). I keep egging on my husband about going to look at some flowering plants soon. I also want to get some ferns for our front porch this year and think about what edible plants I will plant this year.
Rachel says
Ah, also their website has a ton of info on camellia care: http://www.camellias-acs.com
Kay says
I am in northern Wisconsin. I have a six foot+ snow pile on each side of my driveway. We has lots of local contests to see how long it takes the snow to melt. Last year it was after July 4th. I’m afraid next winter will come before the snow from this winter has gone!
In the meantime, I’ll just drool over your pictures. Thanks for showing me some green. :)
Patty says
I can remember loving the first spring we lived in our house. It was so exciting to see everything come to life and surprise us!
neglegb says
so jealous of the blooms and green! In North Dakota we are experiencing another snowstorm. so depressing. i may just have to pop over for a visit! haha.
Malissa says
Beautiful pictures! I love Spring, it just makes me happy. We had a similar problem at our house, the previous owners planted some HUGE trees under the eaves and it caused problems. We ended up having to pull out 4 large plants, that would have been lovely under other circumstances. One of them was outside our master bedroom and when we removed it we realized we had a great view of the golf course, haha.
Julika says
I’m from New-Brunswick, Canada. I’ll have to wait at lease 4 to 6 weeks before I see the first little buds of 2011 … unless I pack my suitcase and visit a warmer country….wich I planed to do. And it’s not only because I want to visit but it’s because I NEED to!!!! ;)
Laura@JourneyChic says
Such pretty flowers! It’ll be great fun to see what pops up in your new yard. We still have snow in ours!
Amanda says
Not sure if anyone suggested what your mystery tree is, but it looks kind of like a Rose of Sharon to me- google it! :)
Joanne F says
If its evergreen its a Camillia. Grows everywhere around here.
Lauren says
Everything your way looks so pretty and springy!! I’m so jealous! It snowed here in Ohio about 3 inches last night, after 3 days of non stop rain :(
Barb says
Snow is melting…. The “mud season” is upon us!!! This time of year I hate walking the dog. She gets her under-carriage filled with sand and dirt and then proceeds to bring it in the house! For a dog that won’t pee or poo in her back yard… I walk this dog 6-7 times a day!!! TMI… Sorry!
Does Burger get soaked when walking?
Back to yard and garden… I can’t wait to see my beautiful garden in all it’s splendor!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man that sounds really rough! Burger loves to do his business in a small fenced in area on the side of our house so he just runs our there and does it in the grass (which luckily doesn’t get him very dirty – probably in part to the fact that his underbelly is bald). We just have a door mat outside and inside the sliding door to catch anything he might try to bring inside (leaves, dirt, grass, etc). Seems to work ok. When we walk we usually wait for nice dry weather so he doesn’t get all wet (along with the stroller and the bottom of our pants). Does anyone else have the same issue as Barb? Any ideas for her?
xo,
s
karen says
Barb…sorry..your comment made me laugh a bit. I can just hear you saying it. Sounds like me with my dog.
I don’t have THAT problem though…but maybe you can train her to do his business by staying in your yard and saying: go potty..or something like that..and when she does you give her some treats. Good Luck.
Chrissy Henry says
I have a little dog that used to strongly dislike going to the bathroom in her own yard and I had to walk her all the time too. Here in MN that can be challenging especially this time of year when you have to walk through more slush, mud and huge puddles then normal! I did eventually train her to use the back yard. Here’s how…
I invested in one of those really long retractable leashes; I think the longest one I could find for my tiny 10 pound dog was like 15 feet. At first I would keep it locked so it was the same length as her regular leash, put on my rain boots and go walking her around the muddy snowy yard until she did her business. We would make huge loops around the yard and eventually she would go. I did this every time and slowly gave her more and more leash so she could be farther away from me. Eventually I could walk out to the middle and stand there and she would go. Now I don’t even have to leave the porch :) She is still poky… she walks around the yard a lot and won’t go if you are not out there with her. But it is much cleaner for both her and I!!.
Chrissy Henry says
Oh yes “go potty” I also say that. Every time she was doing her business I would chant “go potty” to her… the neighbors thought I was crazy. But it works!! Eventually she learned that go potty means do my business and I get treats! ;) Good Luck!!
Snickrsnack Katie says
My yard is starting to come to life, too, here in Houston. Thanks for sharing your beautiful yard!!
annie says
Camellias make great cut flowers…cut the blooms and float in a bowl of water :)
Dana Brenner says
It’s 67 in southwest Missouri today!
Sara @ House Bella says
We are so far away from spring that it is downright depressing. Snow is still falling constantly from the sky. Drats!
Ellen says
Burger is such a camera hog! I can’t wait to see more spring here in MO…we are still looking pretty wintery!
Chantelle says
Oooh, I am green with envy! We still have a few feet (yes feet, not inches) of snow left and it’s not going anywhere soon. Heck, we had -40 temps last week!
laura says
so jealous of your spring-ish-ness there! we just got about 2-3 inches of snow the other day in South Central MN but it’s 40 degrees and sunny today so there is a little glimmer of hope! Love that little flowering tree or bush too! Hopefully you can move it!
Amber says
oohhh…cabin fever striking me hard in Erie, PA…we just had about 8 inches of snow fall today…YUCK!! We’re sooo moving to Richmond!
Anna-Katrin says
Wow, the snow-covered trees here in Cleveland were getting old before, but after seeing your post, I’m really over it. Come on spring!
Rachael says
Love the Charlie Sheen reference!! :)
Chelsea says
My hydrangeas are looking about the same down here in Raleigh. I can’t WAIT for everything to be green again!
Debbie Summers says
Spring is in full swing in Central Florida [2nd box of allergy meds and 3rd box of Kleenex to prove it]. I just love seeing the signs of Spring!
Kristen says
Ahhh, spring fever has hit hard at our house. We’re down in good ole’ Alabama and have had several weeks of 60s and 70s and even a few low 80s days. Of course, it dropped colder again this week…what a tease!
We are first time homeowners who bought our house in September…and two weekends ago with that bright 70s sunshine on our backs, my husband and I got out the tiller and did some flower bed overhaul! I haven’t planted anything yet, but it already looks better! I’m so excited about it! I love spring (and your blog)!
MaryGene says
You could move the tree??? Save it, it’s too pretty!!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s our hope! We’ll keep you guys posted!
xo,
s