Elm trees, and loads of catmint.
Moss, moss, everywhere…and lichens, too. That bit of weed bud hanging out in space is caught in the web of a barn spider…like Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web. They were expected – and welcome – residents.
“Drunken berries” grow all over, including over the cistern and pump jack. I don’t know if there is a more scientific name for these berries, but Will grew up around them, and the birds who ate them crashed soon after. Hence, “drunken berries.” [Update: Summer 2013 – These are Belle Honeysuckle.] I am glad of the cedars, though…I like to use the berries in place of junipers, for cooking and herb use. They muscle test the same, or similar.
Moving to the south side of the house (the cistern is on the northeast), we have the broken side gate…and Billy with some lilies (we are looking into the front yard, on the east of the house).
Looking at the dining room windows, with their guarding Belle honeysuckle bushes.
A buckeye tree, beginning to fruit.
This vine/ground-cover appears to be periwinkle…I love it.
As I said, lots of moss. Can you imagine things sitting undisturbed this long as to allow this…in a part of the country that gets an average of 14″ of precipitation a year?
Another portion of the flower garden. I like sunflowers, and day lilies are quite nostalgic for me…my grandma had a large bed in her yard.
Some nice forage grasses…it’s not all weeds and trees. This is the pasture to the south of the house. The last animals to graze it were sheep, a few years ago.
As you can see, this is just the beginning of finding out what grows here, and what we have to contend with. The man selling the property has told us this is one of the better years he has seen, as far as things looking lush, and having a great variety of things. I guess, usually, the prickly lettuce takes precedence. That shouldn’t be as much a problem as some other types of weeds, in the long run.
I expect I’ll find some fruit trees by and by, or perhaps some berry bushes of more useful types.
I noticed what appears to be a tangle of asparagus, near the gates.
And who knows what is hiding in the old garden area?
It’ll be fun finding out.
Will remembers hunting here 20 years ago, walking right through the yard after pheasants, not realizing the old lady still lived here. She never seemed to notice him, either.
Cozy. I think that’s one word for the place.
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Regarding the yard areas, I fell in love with the feeling of seclusion, wildwood beauty, and bittersweet memories lingering in the air. The day lilies were like a promise that everything could be glorious…
…the butterflies, though only cabbage butterflies, that there were blooming plants, and no insecticides to interfere with the good forms of life (as well as the not-so-desirable).
Through the Mountains 