Green Thumb Test

We've started noticing our yard this summer, and that's resulted in some changes. Joel and I have always hated the Juniper bush which spitefully takes up half of our front yard. During the winter we had so much snow that the juniper was covered, and for a few weeks I blissfully entertained the idea that it had vanished. But alas, summer has come and it is still there, as big and ugly as ever. Yesterday Joel started cutting branches off, and after filling one whole garbage can and two wheelbarrows he had barely made a dent. It's going to require some major work.


On a happier note, Joel and I shoveled up all the river rock which lined our front walkway and replaced it with dirt. I decided to relocate some daffodils which were in the way, but after uprooting those two or three plants I discovered a mass daffodil bulb graveyard below the earth. The first picture there is all the bulbs which I found (not even all actually, I destroyed several as I was digging) bathed and dried and waiting to be stored in a cool dry area until I think of where to plant them. And now I am scheming as to what to plant next to our walkway. What you see in the picture is a lovely hydrangea bush which sits near the front of the walkway beside the garage. Next to it is a little dahlia flower which really has no business being there, but it was so cute and I couldn't help myself at the store. So after those two buys I still have a good patch of dirt beside the walkway to plant in, and I'm debating over what shrubs to buy. I would like to get evergreens because I love having color in the winter. But there are also very few evergreens which I like. So I've been investigating and pondering and will post pictures once I've made my decision.
The other pictures are my planter in the front doorway-area, and Whiskey being helpful as usual.