Spring...

Despite the yucky weather that seems to want to hang around Logan indefinitely, spring is coming! It can't fool me and I'm excited for it to get here! Now you may find yourself asking, Tasha how do you think you know spring is still coming? And my answer is: These guys. Weather can do just about what it wants to, but I trust the plants.

Hyacinths: One of my favorites! Also, one of the first bulbs to come up in the spring. My mom's have come up and the buds are starting to open  in spite of snow!One day, I will have my own yard to fill with plants, and these will be included in it. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Forsythia: Another one of my favorites, except this one is a shrub! For those of you familiar with campus, there are tons of these around! The ones behind the Fine Arts building have already started blossoming. There are also a whole swarm of these behind the bull statue, and some along the back of Smiths.

So now that you know spring is coming, here is a list of why I am so dang excited for it. These are in no particular order of importance, and I don't know if I could rank them.
1) Graduation. Um four years, lots of money, blood sweat and tears, and I'm finally finished. I think that's all I need to say here.
2)Planting planting planting! For one of my projects this semester, I did a landscape design for my parents yard. And they/I will be starting it this year. Plants to be included in it are: Forsythia (see above), a Star Magnolia, Dwarf Bird's Nest Spruce, Annabelle Hydrangeas, Dwarf Burning Bush, Cinquefoil (Potentilla), and a Linden. Look for pictures below. In addition, I will of course, be doing planters on my porch again. Plants for here include: Sweet Potato vine, Coleus, Geraniums, and Impatiens. Pretty much I can't wait to get my hands in some dirt.
3)Baby critters. Namely the cute ones at my parents house. They currently have 8 chicks, 2 ducklings, and 1 baby turkey (a poult for those of you who care to know). Pictures coming soon.
4) Summer comes right after spring. which means I will be reading my little heart out, quilting, planting more, camping, hiking, sleeping in on weekdays, and good breakfast.

Now for pictures of plants to convince you spring is coming.

Star Magnolia. Yeah. That's all I have to say. :)


Dwarf Bird's Nest Spruce. Cute, compact, green all year. The end.


Big, bushy, greed, pretty white flowers. More tolerant of alkaline soils, and don't have to fight to keep the soil acidic like with the blue hydrangeas (which are a totally different species as well).


Dwarf Burning Bush. Pretty common around here. But they still have that wow factor in the fall.



Potentilla (also known by the common name, Cinquefoil. Same plant) The yellow ones are the most common. But my mom wanted something pink.


Linden. Much more tolerant of alkaline soils and less prone to iron chlorosis. Double check for Utah. Plus they have the same size and form as a maple and still look pretty in the fall.


Geraniums. These are the annual ones, and trust me there are about as many varieties of these available as there are people who buy them. They like water and part shade and do well in pots.


Impatiens. A shade loving plant. Come in lots of colors. Also do well in containers.


Coleus. A shade-loving stand by. I love these things. Don't ask me why, I just do. Tons of different variations out there.


Sweet Potato Vine (aka Ipomea vine). Long and trail-y and give a pop of color in shade planters. I can't decide if I'm going to go for the purple or green variety this year.