It's drizzling today.  Still, I couldn't help but wander the gardens, pulling weeds and admiring the next inch of growth.  Some of the purple iris are getting ready to bloom, and many of the plants are enjoying this cool, drizzly, overcast day.  They look green and lush.  I brought a couple of lily of the valley in with me, to enjoy their scent.

Garden Blogger Bloom Day, May

After some good soaking rains over the last few days, this afternoon brightened into perfect gardening weather.  It was cool, sunny, and windy.  In addition to getting a few things planted and others transferred, I photographed the plants that are currently in bloom.  So here is May 15th this year, in far northern Illinois.

Pulmonaria

Sulphureum Barrenwort

Creeping Phlox

Bleeding Heart

Lilac

Korean Spice Viburnum

Flowering Quince

Redbud

Thyme

I had to go out this afternoon to water the newbies --any soil moisture is quickly gone in this heat.  (All my moisture ends up on the outside, dripping down my face.)  It's a few degrees cooler than yesterday, and some high clouds have moved in, so it seemed like a good time to capture a few of the later-blooming tulips --they'll probably be shriveled up by tomorrow. 

These little pink and yellow ones are similar to my species tulips, and of course I don't remember what they are called. They've carpeted underneath the birch tree.

This group of species tulips was supposed to be all one color, I think, but both colors are so bright and glowing.

The daffodils collapsed and the tulips wilted today.  91 degrees!  I really wish the weather wouldn't do that to my flowers.  The trees went from a few buds and flowers to leaves today.  I wilted with the tulips.

Mothers Day Planting

We got to the garden center today to pick out some annuals and perennials.  Emma wanted to choose for a garden of her own, so we've given her part of a bed we created last year in front of the house.  It gets a good amount of sun, and here is the mixture of perennials and annuals that she chose:

 

We also planted the annuals in the barrels we have next to the back porch.  Then I lost energy, so the rest will have to be planted throughout the week. 

 

The plant in the center is corkscrew grass, which Emma spotted.  Here is a close-up:

 The spring bulbs are almost done, but here are some tulips that are still looking very nice.

Albert the trumpet vine got his haircut yesterday.  Dragging the ladder way out to him, climbing it with the long handled pruners, and then holding them above my head while I cut away last years growth is never my favorite job.  And there is one tentacle that is sticking straight up from the top that I just can't reach with the pruners, no matter which side of the tree I place the ladder on. 

This afternoon we're going to go buy some annuals.  And other stuff, perhaps :-)

Still Early Spring

We are back in the 50's today, but the later spring flowers are still firmly in bud.  We need a week or so of warmth to get the apple tree buds and the redbud flowers to open.  I took a picture of the birch tree garden from the back patio today --I see lots of spots that need bulbs this fall, but it's hard to remember where the tulips and daffodils are planted in October, when their foliage is gone, and other plants have spread into those spots.  Maybe I can remember to come back and consult this photo.