Seriously……last weekend was amazing weather wise! We spent the weekend in the backyard working on the beds…….in shorts and short sleeves. Thankfully we got lots done. This week has been full of seriously severe storms. 
It felt great with that hint of longer, warmer days ahead.
We had new sod installed in the yard last September, and it is really starting to get green and look great. 

Garden centers are my candy shop!
I could seriously spend a fortune, but I’ve learned over time that it is best to only purchase a little at a time. Don’t purchase so much at one time that you can’t get them in the yard in a timely manner. 
Before going to the garden center I visited Monrovia’s website to get an idea of plants that grow best in our zone in the Upstate of SC. I’ve got an extensive list started to fill up a large bed in the backyard. 
We decided to start working on planting the arched area of the bed. We went with this perennial, Souper Trouper Lilac on Purple Dianthus.
Perennials are my favorite in that they come back year after year. Less money and work in the long run. These will spread nicely in the space to fill in the border and grow beautifully in full sun.

Seriously isn’t this a beautiful shot with that gorgeous spring sky!

After the winter season and a bit of good old neglect, this is what we started with. I know…..yuck! You can see the arch I was talking about here. Monrovia ...