THE POWER OF THE PLANT

I've been working hard outside. My goal is to create a "natural" non-contrived looking landscape. So far I'm happy with the outcome. I have a ways to go but I sure have come a long way. Less than a year ago I bought my house in Franklin Square, NY. I removed all the overgrown bushes and started with a blank canvas. Luckily I love working outside. I'll update as I add more and show different angles.

The two perennial lavender plants are in full bloom. They are so fragrant and beautiful, I'm having a hard time deciding whether I should leave them where they are in nature or clip hem and place them in a vase in the house. This particular variety is Lavandula angustifolia 'Provence'.

Just a spider's web on my front porch. Beautiful in its on right, but not a fan of spiders (understatement). It's gone. Picture remains.

I walked into The Dee's Nursery two weeks ago and found a few Willow Bushes sitting on the ground. Immediately I knew I had to have one! The leaves are variegated green with ivory and white and the new growth is pink. It flows delicately in the wind yet its full foliage makes it look quite substantial. This is the newest shrub in my front landscape. So happy I found it! For pruning information see How To Prune A Variegated Willow .