I will be the first to admit that math has never been my strong suite. I remember Michael having to help me (and pretty much doing) my college algebra for me during my senior year college. I got a C and it was my lowest grade during my entire college career but I passed and that’s all that matters.

But you know what I AM good at? Gardening… and don’t judge. There are more than 5 things in this post but it’s my blog and I can do what I want. lol I grow such a wide variety of flowers in my backyard and they are one of my favorite things to photograph. I couldn’t easily pick only 5 to be my favorites, so here’s more like my Top 9.

Peonies:
While daisies will always hold the spot in my heart as my favorite flower, I don’t actually grow them in my yard. So peonies will hold that number 1 spot today. I currently have 3 peony bushes in my yard and they are all different colors. Light Pink, White, and Dark Pink. The light pink are my favorite though. The dark pink plant was new from last year, so I haven’t seen it in full bloom yet. Can’t wait!

Wisteria:
This is an old picture and when it fills in this summer with the leaves and flowers I will need to update this. This is my behemoth of a plant and it’s now about 6 feet longer on EACH side. It’s not done growing either. I have had this plant for about 7 years now and while it’s annoying at times (because it’s taken over where I have other flowers planted) it sure is pretty and definitely a show-stopper when you enter my backyard.

Bleeding Hearts:
I have 2 huge bleeding heart plants that are always the first to bloom each spring. One is at the corner of our deck and the other is in what I call my “secret garden”. It’s one of my favorite places to relax in the evening. I have a table and chairs and a small fire pit that we use on occasion. I keep adding to this section every year and it’s turning out lovely.

Day Lilies:
These lilies hold a very special place in my heart and in my garden beds. Growing up I spent a lot of time at my Grandparent’s house in the country. All along the side of the house my grandma had these growing and I always loved them. After she passed away a few years ago, we were getting her house ready to sell and the last thing I did was have Michael dig me up a bunch of them to plant in our yard. So every year when they bloom I have a constant reminder of her.

Rhododendrons:
I really wish that these bloomed all summer long because they are prettiest shade of pinky-purple. I have been thinking about getting a couple more of these because it’s not growing nearly as fast as I would have hoped over the last few years. They are so pretty though!

Roses:
I have dreams of having rows of rose bushes in my backyard and yet they are the most finicky of plants and apparently they don’t like me. However, I get excited when they produce a flower or two or three. If anyone has any tips on getting them to grow, please let me know! I planted 4 of them 3 years ago and I have lost 2 of them.

Hydrangeas:
These are actually out in the front yard and I love the pinks and purples! I have a small one in the backyard but it barely flowers at all and I have thought about taking it out (it’s been 6 years!) and planting something else there. At least I have one that grows really well!

Delphiniums:
If I could have an entire field of these I would! You don’t find blue flowers too often in nature and I just love them!

Tulips:
I have these in a bunch of colors (and don’t tell the others) but these pink ones are my favorite. They line the front of our back deck and bring me such joy while I am out there in the spring. They’re gone now (and everything else is starting to come into bloom) but I look forward to them every year.

So that’s my Friday 5+4 for the week. These are just my favorites and I grow so many other things in the yard too! Lots of other spring bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus, plus, morning glories, various flowering bushes, black-eyed susans, irises, lily of the valley, foxgloves, and more. Plus, I am putting in a butterfly garden in the far back of our yard this year.

XOXO, Jules