I am going to try to keep a lot of the area under the trees somewhat natural. I pulled out a lot of the dandelions because they do totally take over if you let them, but I left a lot of these nice little groundcovers and poppies to grow somewhat natural. The result (I hope) is a natural-looking sort of woodsy area that will have a calming feel when we install the garden seats on that side of the house (and perhaps a log-cabin-looking playhouse for the kids.

The idea here is that if I work with nature, instead of fighting it, I can have something that grows well here to fill in the side yard and that will replenish itself every year with a minimal amount of maintenance.

Anyone have any idea of what this little guy is?

Update: Apparently this is some variety of vetch, an introduced plant that grows well here and has become pretty much native to the area. I think it may even produce some pretty flowers for us soon!