Day By Day: May 2024

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Spirea Japonica

It has been rainy, cloudy and cool for two weeks now. We have only seen the sun two days during that time. Despite the weather, the spring flowering goes on. There are several spirea bushes in the front and side yard that have just started blooming.

Wild Strawberry

Wild strawberries have appeared in the very back garden that lines our property.

Autumn Ferns

These are some of the Autumn ferns under the treed area in the back yard. The lady ferns photo that was in a previous post are in front of these autumn ferns and have really filled out that area.

Highbush Blueberry

There are two highbush blueberry bushes in the back yard that were here when we bought the house. We never see the ripe blueberries because they are all eaten very quickly by any animals that come through the yard as soon as they appear.

Clematis Samaritan Jo

The clematis vine is so beautiful now that it is in full bloom. It brightens up a corner of the house where there is only part sun because there are two maple trees to the left of it. It helps hide our trash cans behind the trellis fencing.

A Cool Mother's Day

Bearberry Cotoneaster

It was cool, cloudy, rainy and windy this mother's day. It has been this way for 8 days. We had to turn the heat back on for a couple of days this past week because it went down to mid 40's at night and was in the lower 50's several days with cold rain. Unusual weather for May like the above cotoneaster plants. I have never seen them in neighborhood yards, and I have never grown them until I planted these two years ago. They have red berries in the fall and are evergreen in this area.

Bearberry Cotoneaster

Here is a close up of the bearberry cotoneaster flowers. There are may varieties with different color flowers.

Nepeta Blue Lagoon

The nepeta plants (catmint) are blooming behind the spent daffodils.

Dogwood

Finally, the three white dogwood trees in the yard have bloomed. This photo was taken out of a bedroom window.

Miniature Rose

I bought this miniature rose at the grocery store last year to have in the kitchen. When it was done blooming, I planted it in the yard next to some holly bushes that the deer don't bother going by. And here it is blooming this year! It reminds me of my mother's face: delicate, beautiful, clear, with a touch of pink. Although she passed away many years ago, I miss her still. I am dedicating this flower in the garden to her. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

What Season is it?

Perennial Bachelor Buttons

We had a couple of 80 and 90 degree days this past week. It was sunny and warm, and we were all wearing shorts. And yesterday the high was 53 degrees with a cold rain. Same grayness and rain today, but it did get above 60 degrees. The perennial bachelor button plants all bloomed with the heat.