I mentioned last week that I planted a lot of new perennials in our yard this year after the plant exchange. So, I thought it was time to do a little outdoor spring garden tour.
First, I should mention that much of the yard is very much a work in progress. But, it’s come a long way.
We started out with, um, nothing, in the way of plants. When we bought the house in August of 2010, one of the first things we did was rip down the overgrown plants out front.
(I know, I just threw up in my mouth a little.)
Nearly every single plant in the yard was transplanted from our old house or friends. Both because it’s fun to share plants and also because we don’t have the money to spend at the garden center. So, don’t be too proud to take any plant you are giving, friends.
And here’s the front of the house today. Most of these plants are hosta, iris and lilies on their second spring in the ground. In the past few years, they’ve grown like wildfire.
And finally, the most recent transplants from last week’s plant exchange. I like to split hostas up really small so I can get more out of them. That means they look really teeny and pathetic for the first year, but the payoff is worth it.
And that, my friends, is how you can make a garden (or a few gardens) with transplants. Not only will they look great, but they will save you lots of money at the garden center.
What do you think of our little gardens? Better, right?
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Stephanie says
all i have to say is your neighbors must think yall are the best thing since sliced bread ๐ yall have done WONDERS with that house and yard!!!!
Caroline Meyers says
I am jealous of your iris. I think I need to steal some. Good thing I live many, many states away, right? ๐
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
Much, much, much better! You can come down to my house and spruce it up whenever you want.
Lyndsay @ that 70s house says
my mouth seriously dropped open with the before and after curb appeal shot…what a difference paint and landscaping makes!
and now i know what the plants in the backyard are that i didn’t know what they were called..hostas! thank you!
daisy says
Uh, better???? It’s quite a transformation!!! You are one seriously frugal gardener-a woman after my own heart! Gotta try me some hostas. Enjoy!
The Atwoods says
We have Iris in our yard too, and I just love them! They are so pretty, require no maintenance and spread so nicely! My kind of plants ๐
Anonymous says
looks great! do you ever see snakes in your yard? I’m paranoid of planting hostas for that reason!!!
SarahKL says
WOW!!! I need Kim aka Mrs. Curb Appeal to come make the front of MY house beautiful!!
Ashlee says
I just love love love this house.
The little Gardens around it and everything. Perfect! ๐
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Your gardens look really great! We just transplanted some day lilies and irises from my boss’ house so I can’t wait to see them bloom next year!
Alli (and Tommy, too!) says
Much better! I just stop at the before and after photos of the front of the house. You’ve done so much to make that house a home ๐
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Our landscaping needs a lot of help, but I’m so done spending money on plants because the dogs killed EVERY SINGLE PLANT we bought last year. The front yard has fared much better, which is what convinces me it’s the dogs killing them instead of me. Our neighborhood is having a plant sale this weekend so I’m hoping to score some perennials on the cheap. I love how the front of your house is looking!
Heather says
Wow night and day! It looks fantastic. I bet your neighbors thank you!
Mrs. 5C says
Ok… so. Kim. With your beautiful landscaping, you’re making my life more complicated. ๐
I have this never ending debate in my head: “I should remove the gigantic overgrown boxwoods out front. But then our house will be naked. And it’s a lot of work. But with some landscaping it will look amazing! But that’s a lot of work.” And so the boxwoods sit. But I want your landscaping. Maybe HGTV will decide to come to my house one day? ๐
Emily says
I love when you post pictures of the outside of your house because that trnasformation is unbelieveable! The plants look great – I wish I knew what half of those plants were. I need to study up.
Jordan@the2seasons says
We are working on landscaping our house this year and I just discovered hostas. I love them and can’t wait till next year. I think everything looks really good and it is getting me excited to go out and plant more at our place.
Kristi says
What a difference almost 2 years can make, huh? I love all of the character and personality your yards have. You are very good at taking what you have and making it uniquely yours. Any chance you want to come up here and help us out with our blank slate? :o)
Rita Templeton says
I love your landscaping! I divided my hostas this year, too, and put some in the “blank” space under our front-porch stairs. My neighbors are always planting them around the base of the trees in our backyard. I tell them they never need to ask permission – I’m like you, I’ll always take in a “stray” plant! ๐
Speaking of hostas, just out of curiosity … do you trim off the stalks when they pop up or leave them on?
Deb says
Looks fantastic!!