Saturday, May 31, 2014

May Wrap-Up

It's hard to believe that June starts tomorrow. It took so long for the month of May to get rolling enough to  actually feel like spring, but now it's over already. Once it truly warmed up, it was a banner month. You see, even though the winter tried to knock us down, the spring rains tried to build us right back up. Despite the losses, the surviving plants look better than ever.
Chinese Fringe Tree
As with most gardeners, I have been hard at work this month. I can't believe how many plants I have put into the ground! Some were replacements for those done in by winter, and some were new perennials. But most of the hard work involved the summer annuals and vegetables. I don't really mind all the work, really. It would just be so much easier if I could neglect all my other obligations when this was going on.
Amsonia Hubrichtii
Amsonia Blue Ice
And even though I enjoy the work, that doesn't mean that I'm not exhausted! I work and I work, but I never seem to get done. Plant, prune, fertilize, deadhead, water, mulch, weed, and on and on it goes. Funny, but most avid gardeners seem to be from the older generations, like me. But for the energy it takes, you'd think it would be more for the younger folks.
Columbine Winky Double
Cornus kousa Heart Throb
 And before you think that I don't take time to enjoy the fruits of my labors, I need to clarify. Every evening after dinner, I go out to sit on the "veranda" and admire it all. My camera is always close at hand, in case I see something that begs to be captured.
Dragonwing begonia
Shade container with Reiger begonias and other fillers
Container with begonias, fiber optic grass, and other fillers

Still, it will be nice when summer wears on, and I don't have so much work staring me in the face all the time. That's when I do more fun projects like making garden art, or less fun projects like cleaning out my garden mess in the garage.
Yarrow Tutti Frutti Apricot Delight
Bearded iris Blue Suede Shoes or Best Bet
Allium Mediterranean Bells
May is usually the month of the roses, but not quite this year. I'm just happy some of them showed up at all, even though it was May 28 by the time the first one bloomed. This is about a month behind schedule. I'm just glad they are here at all.
Sunny Knockout Rose
Funny Face rose
Zepherine Drouhin rose 
May also seems to be incredibly busy in the non garden world too. Graduations, proms, year end parties, Mother's Day, you name it, there's always a special occasion to celebrate. I say, let's celebrate the fact that it's time to garden again.
Moonshine Yarrow

Peony unknown
Celosia
Sunny container featuring Petunia Crazytunia Pulse
Glamoflauge Grape petunia
Violet tubeflower
So onward to June, may it be just as lovely as the fair month of May!
Heuchera Circus
Heuchera Coral bells


14 comments:

  1. In the South, the Chinese Fringe tree can often be found in the woods and most people dig it up to take home to put in their yard. It is known as "Grancey Gray Beard" here. I didn't realize it had any other name until reading your blog! I love the Sunny Knockout rose. I have one which are few and far between here in our area for some reason and just love it. It is truly a lovely yellow rose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grancey Gray Beard, that's pretty funny! I like it better as Chinese Fringe Tree. You'd like my yellow Knockout rose even better if you smelled it, it's actually fragrant!

      Delete
  2. Lovely! Robin, you have many lovely flowers that didn't make their way into my garden yet. The columbine is amazing!!! I haven't seen this variety before. Have happy June!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My purple double columbine is lovely, but the bad part is that it stays fairly small, and when it's done blooming, it's done for the summer. I always admire pink and yellow columbines, but I've never seen them for sale.

      Delete
  3. Your containers are so pretty this year Robin. I adore that Fringe Tree. The first one I ever saw was at the local Lily Festival and it was large and smelled divine. I know how you are feeling. I seem not to be able to catch up this year for some reason. Maybe it is because I just cannot get at it as hard as I use to. I may get done before Fall. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't even know my Fringe Tree was fragrant at first. It almost smells like a cross between a magnolia and jasmine. We just can't work so long and hard anymore girl, so take it easy and enjoy your garden now and then!

      Delete
  4. You've lots of lovely interest and colour in the garden. My roses are only starting to flower now and some with buds soon to be flowering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My roses were about a month behind because of the harsh winter we had. The new replacements are still quite small, I hope they will do much better next year.

      Delete
  5. I love seeing all your plants and flowers...they are just gorgeous! I have never seen that Columbine Winky Double...is that not absolutely amazing and beautiful?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do love that double purple columbine, I planted it years ago. It doesn't seed though, it's sterile. Darn it, because I'd like a lot more of it!

      Delete
  6. I really enjoyed your flowers they are so pretty. I am working on my yard and only wish I had as many plants as you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marissa, it takes years to build up a garden, plus it's hard to do with little ones still at home. See, my kids are grown, and I'm not working. So give yourself a break!

      Delete
  7. Your garden is looking just beautiful. Love all the pictures.

    Debra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Debra, my garden means a lot to me!

      Delete

Thanks so much for commenting, I always love to hear from my readers! I'll respond by commenting back on your own blog.