Yellow Daylilies

Yellow Daylilies

So I have started work at Children's Hospital, one reason why I haven't blogged in awhile, and I noticed that surrounding the main entrance are all of these beautiful yellow daylilies. Planted as a serpentine border to the lawn against a backdrop of green plants these flowers bring a sense of cheerfulness as you enter the building.

Outside of Children's Hospital.

Walking throughout the city I noticed that yellow daylilies are everywhere; it seems these perennials are the bloom of choice for early summer. They are planted outside of churches, banks, apartment buildings and all over Pitt's campus.
Here are some quick pictures I took on my iPhone as I have walked  around town.

Outisde of Hillman Library

Lining the border of a driveway of an apartment complex on my street. 

Daylilies among different types of bushes; wall outside of the Oakland UCP.

It will be interesting to see if the trends in flowers I have noticed this year will carry over to the next or if like fashion flowers go in and out of style.

What flowers have you noticed around your neighbor or city?

Tulips Around Town

Outside of the UCP in Oakland

This spring tulips have been the major trend when it comes to designing a front yard. Walking and driving through the city I noticed tulips everywhere; in front of large houses, apartment complexes and churches. Whenever I would go by a particularly well kept lawn or interesting display of tulips I just had to snap a picture. Some used a variety of tulip colors while others made striking displays with just one type of tulip. Since I didn't want to look like a creeper, I didn't spend more than a minute in front of any house nor are there many close ups since I didn't want to step on anyone's property. Here are pictures of some of my favorite front yards around Shadyside, Oakland and Squirrel Hill.

 The pictures above and below are from the outside of an apartment complex in Oakland.

Front yard of a house in Shadyside. They had  tulips in a horseshoe around the lawn.

This display used only white tulips which I think looked very classy in front of this gorgeous Shadyside house.

I love how this home in Shadyside surrounded their sculpture with bright tulips.

The front entrance of a grand house in Squirell Hill. I really like how they lined the hedges with tulips.

The right side was a mixture of bright colored tulips.

More feathery tulips in soft colors were along the left hedge,

This blue ranch style house in Squirrel Hill displayed lots of color in their spring flowered lawn.

Close up of all the gorgeous tulips and pansies.

This house in Squirrel Hill had a fountain in the center of their display.

Red, white and yellow tulips lined the entire lawn and look great under the blossoming cherry tree.

Just a small row of tulips add a punch of color outside of the Newman Center in Oakland.

What favorite lawn displays have you noticed in the city?

Pittsburgh Spring

Crab Apple Blossoms

So spring has decided to come early here in Pittsburgh which I am certainly not complaining about. The daffodils and crocuses are spreading their petals and the trees are covered in lovely blooms. While walking to class this afternoon I stopped to take some pictures of the lovely signs of spring. I really the like contrast of the beautiful flowers and trees against the architecture of the city.

Flowering white crab apple tree in front of Bellfield Towers

Magnolia Tree and Heinz Chapel

Redbud tree outside of Bellfield Hall.

 I couldn't decide which of the two close ups I liked better, so I decided to put up both.

Outside of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Art

Love the arching of the trees

Can't believe I am in the middle of the city.

Cathedral of Learning and Stephen Foster Memorial with beds of daffodils in Schenley Plaza.

Magnolia and cherry trees on the lawn of the William Pitt Union

Magnificent Magnolia

Upside Down Cherry Tree

I hope this encourages you take a walk outside and take in the beauty and warmth of spring in your own neighborhood.