First of all, you guys might freak out because I actually have a post lined up every single day this week. Not only that, I have a home tour and very likely a dining room reveal next week. Something is definitely wrong 😉
Secondly, there is likely very little that can describe my excitement over the new trees we got in the yard yesterday.  I mentioned in my summer throw pillow post that we bought nine new trees over the past few weeks and I was like a kid waiting for Santa Clause all day today. Also, as in, we were watching the season finale of The Good Wife Sunday night and I kept looking out at the white flag markers to make sure trees were in the right spot. That good. I may have issues.
We had saved for these trees for some time and actually went to purchase them last fall. However, the ones we had our hearts set on were all sold out. Talk about a buzz kill. The good news was that when we moved in we already had some really great, large trees to work with so it didn’t feel like we were losing out too badly.
So, we not so patiently waited for this spring and bought the ones we had our hearts set on. Now we’re glad we waited! We had to laugh because the girl at the local nursery said we were some of the few people she had ever come across that wanted to actually hand-select the trees that would go in our yard. She said most come in, give a vague description of the type of tree they’re looking for, and then let the nursery pick the actual tree for their yard. What?!? To me that’s like letting someone pick your wall color, furniture, fabrics, etc. I have opinions, people!
So, before I show you how our yard looks now with the new trees, let me show you our backyard before the new trees – whose locations are indicated by the white flags you see in the photos. Everything just felt a little flat and you really couldn’t envision the scale with the solid lawn everywhere. Don’t get me wrong – I love greenspace, but we needed some dimension, texture and height to all of it.
Now, may I present our nine new trees. One bald cypress, three columnar oak, one columnar Colorado Blue Spruce, three Vanderwolf Pines and one Autumn Blaze Maple. The reality is, with this yard, we probably need at least four or five more trees but will likely wait until our plans for the pool come to fruition (hopefully before I die).
The three columnar maples on the left, the bald cypress nearest the driveway and the columnar Colorado Blue Spruce nearest the house on the right.
You can see the Autumn Blaze Maple in the top left corner (second, smaller tree in) and the three Vanderwolf Pines in the closer foreground. The pines are between seven and nine feet tall just to give you an idea of the scale.
Slowly but surely we’ll have a little bit of privacy in our backyard! We plan to add more trees down the road, but a lot is dependent upon if/when we get a pool which will then also necessitate a fence and we don’t want to get too close to those areas. I also plan to eventually incorporate some of the trees into the landscaping beds to make it all feel a little more cohesive and intentional.
So, did I really just post that many pictures about trees? Yes. And I’m still smiling ear to ear 🙂
In other landscaping news, over the weekend, my husband was away with friends on a golf outing, so I got a lot more work done as well. I added two new limelight hydrangeas, added three knockout rose ground covers, planted the hydrangea trellis, weeded, replaced grasses and impatiens that had died with the recent frosts, cut the cat mint down out front that had already gone wild, AND got the trees all planned out! I then followed everything up with a good water and my favorite fertilizer.
The weekend prior I added even more annuals to our flower beds. I loved every second of it and can’t wait to see the results over the coming weeks! While I was out, I also used a TON of Preen in an effort to keep up with the non-stop weeds. I think the weather isn’t helping this situation much (it really hasn’t gotten hot yet) but I also realize large beds like we have require work. I’m just sick of spending two hours each weekend weeding. So I’m hoping the Preen helps (my neighbors all swear by it)!
The front trees are starting to fill in as well. You can see a more mature bald cyprus tree on the left in the first image below. My planters are finally starting to fill in, as well, now that the colder temps seem to be gone! A few more weeks and all the plants should 100% be in business. I can hardly wait.
Oh, summertime, I really do heart you.
So, am I the only person that gets equally excited about my yard as I do the interior of our home? Please tell me I’m not the only one!
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Oh i do love a pretty yard too and your trees are fabulous.
Thanks Marty!
Love the trees! I’m constantly looking for trees for our yard. We’re in Florida, so we have to have trees that can take summertime heat, but our house came with three Live Oaks (which we hate and hubby is allergic to), so we’re trying to actually plan to take those out and put something in no one is allergic to. I like the bald cypress you guys have!
You should check into the bald cypress. I believe a horticulturist once told me they do really well in Florida because they love the sun and can tolerate standing water!
You have a huge yard! Does your husband do all the mowing? As I looked through the pictures I answered my own questions like do you have a fence to keep weirdos out from walking into your backyard and breaking in your patio door. We just got back from Cali and their drought made me sad seeing the grass of some pretty homes drying up. Anyway, I digress. Your trees are great and it will be great to block the view of your neighbor with the pool and their view of you when you get a pool. We’ve been considering planting a tree on our backyard because our neighbor’s house (side view of a 2 story) is right smack in our face when we walk out our patio. Our concerns are the leaves cleanup if it was a maple tree and it falling on the fence or something. Wind storms have been going on in our area the last 2 years and trees falling have done many damages to homes, power lines, etc. This thought is discouraging us to pursue our tree planting dream.
We have an odd, pie-shaped lot. So our front yard is itty-bitty but then the backyard is quite large. We have a company that mows because we can’t actually get our push mower up the hill 🙂 Leaf clean-up is never fun, but I figure it’s worth the pain for a weekend or two. We have really bad winds here living in Nebraska and haven’t had any issues but I know that can always be a concern, especially with strong storms.
Yay for new trees! My friend just bought some too! You have a stunning yard!
Thanks Erin 🙂
Take heart with your gardens. They will fill in soon enough–just like your trees will grow. We’re on our third summer at our place, and our gardens are finally looking like actual gardens. In fact, my husband actually noticed them and complimented me on them the other day!
Trees are so, so important to overall landscaping. My big wish is a tree-lined driveway. We’re slowly getting there, but it’s a process, as you’ve described so well. I think you’ve made great choices.
Thanks Julia!
Your not alone I get equally as excited about trees as new decor for the inside of my home too:). You picked some Beautiful trees! I can’t believe most people wouldn’t want to pick out their own trees, crazy! You will have some amazing privacy when the fill in:) We are planting and taking down trees in hopes of a pool in the future too!
They look fantastic Sarah! Your house and yard is so beautiful:)
My property had 3 trees (one a very dead black walnut tree) when I bought my house which has just now been 7 years ago. So far I have planted 31 trees and the same as you, I feel as if I need more. Happy planting and keep us updated with any/all of your landscaping projects.
Such a pretty house and yard! Let me know when you get that pool in; I’ll be heading up with bikini in hand! LOL The trees look GREAT–way to go!
I’m with you your yard is the first impression to your home. Yours is lovely out side and in. Just found your blog.
No, you are not alone. I love a pretty yard and yours is gorgeous. Your grass is so thick and healthy looking. We have been battling weeds forever it seems. We have a company treat the front and the back is dead so we will be getting new sod this summer and I am beyond excited so I know how you feel about your new trees. Enjoyed your pretty home tour, too.