Backyard Exploring- The Seasons in Wildflowers

This spring marked the first that I have spent on my new property.  With so many new things to discover and learn about the different corners of my garden, I was delighted to find a whole world of native wild flowers and plants growing amongst a tangled and seemingly overgrown patch of woodland.

In the early spring my lawn was sprinkled with little clumps of purple violets winding their way down to the creek's edge.  I traced them in the grass like I was searching for a lost piece of jewelry, and made my way to a fenced area along the creek where the previous owners' chickens once resided.
 

Crossing the creek which was freely flowing from the springtime melt, I discovered an exciting variety of natural wildflowers and woodland plants.  This wonderful surprise was beginning to add new personality to the wooded area that I had only seen in winter, and late summer last year. 

Little treasures dotted the forest, and taking care not to step on them, I made my way around, perking up with a glimmer of a smile at each new sighting.  

One day, a sea of pink and white fragrant phlox, filled the forest across from the creek like dots of a Monet painting.

 Once June arrived, I began to notice a strong floral fragrance in the air as I worked in the garden.  As always, when I notice something like this, I look up into the trees to try to identify the source.  It's usually some type of magnolia or flowering tree that I have never seen before.  After some investigation, I noticed that the honeysuckles were in full bloom.   I have always loved their sweet smell, and carefully extracting the nectar from the little flowers as a child.  There is a vine draped over the fence right near the vegetable garden and the smell fills the air as I stake my tomatoes and train my beans.  I made my way back into the woods, and noticed a shrub that looked very much like privet.  It was blooming with such an intoxicating fragrance that I had to cut some and bring it on to my patio.  The smell permeated the air everywhere, and behind it were notes of wild roses.

 I also have been keeping an eye out for plants that I can introduce into the landscape, as a sort of experiment.  Attaining a balance between natural, wild, and cultivated gardening is exciting.  I don't know what the summer holds, but I will be looking out for new surprises! 

Here is one of my first experiments!