Hello Friends

It's been way too long since I've posted in this little blog.  I do appreciate all that come here.  Inspiration has been lacking but still I enjoy posting the joyous things that happen in our lives.  

 The America rose really bloomed beautifully into June.  

These same America roses change from a coral shade to a lovely pink.

The red knockout roses performed beautifully as well.  They provided many bouquets around our home the whole month.

Our hydrangeas don't typically bloom that well, but this year they have!  The pink ones mean they are growing in alkaline soil.

 The more purple are growing in acidic soil.  Sometimes you see both on one plant.  They are a favorite of mine and I enjoy bringing them indoors as well.  I learned a new trick this year that makes them last quite a while indoors.  Take your cuttings early in the morning and place in water immediately.  When indoors make a fresh cut and put alum on the cut edge.  Then place them in your container.  I've had some of them to last over 3 weeks on our tables.

This method works well for Lace Cap hydrangeas as well.

My gardens are now suffering from lack of attention and severe heat.  I am very thankful for the rain we received over the last couple of days.  We always have hot and humid summers, but this one has been quite oppressive to this old lady gardener!  (Grayden wanted me to edit that, but he lives in a dream world with me)!

We have had so many bunnies in our yard this year.  They have enjoyed eating rudbeckia, purple coneflowers, larkspur and even hostas!  I'm so happy they like what I plant.  I was recently reading an article about eating more plants, so maybe we'll try those in our next salad.  Only kidding friends!  Stay cool and hydrated.

Around our Garden

Spring races along happily in May.  The ever growing plants fill in the empty landscape with green.  The warmer temperatures speed up the growth of all the plants and blossoms.  A down side, if there is one, is all the pollen that covers everything in sight.  If you have allergies this can be quite an issue.  Our sweet grandson, that lives with us, mows the lawn.  This year he has had quite a problem with all the pollen.  Lot's of watery eyes and sneezing fits follow him.  He insists that the mowing be his job and continues with the task.

The Viburnum blossoms light up the back fence.

The bunnies are in abundance in our yard.  Did you know if you see an angle cut on a stem, it was eaten by a bunny.  I wonder how I know this?

The Red or Eastern Columbine is a native wildflower that is pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies.  I got the seed of this wildflower from a friend's garden many years ago.  The genus name is Aquilegia that comes from the Latin meaning "an eagle" referring to the eagle's claw shape of the petals.  Native Americans used this plant to treat many ailments.

The Lily of the Valley plant is one of the sweetest blossoms of Spring.  I've picked many bouquets to fill and bring inside to enjoy.  These beauties are often seen in bridal bouquets.  

This is a Native non-invasive honeysuckle shrub.  It is not the vine that can be a problem in your landscape.  In the fall it is beautiful with red berries.  Unfortunately it has no fragrance like the invasive honeysuckle vine.

It's fun to enjoy the Spring mild temperatures from the out of doors.

If I remember to bring my camera, sometimes the birds will pose for a photo.  We often have purple finch visit the feeder.

This chickadee was singing so loudly.  I think she wanted us to move on as she wanted to feed her baby.

I pretty much know all of the birds that frequent our garden.  This beautiful Indigo Bunting absolutely made my day with his appearance! 

I hope you are seeing life outside your windows this Spring.  Even if you are not an outdoor person, do check out the beauty that surrounds your home.  It's really quite amazing.  Have you seen anything unusual in your garden this year?  I'd love to know.