GBBD: May 2012
May has been an idyllic spring month...cool nights, warm days and a fair amount of rain. The conditions are perfect for the plants. Unfortunately, the gardener has had a terribly busy schedule and not spent enough time in the garden.
Hence a quick walk through the garden this afternoon and a late Garden Blogger's Bloom Day post.
The day lilies have begun their parade. I like the concept that a single bloom only blooms for one day. With the heat we endure it is nice to have fresh, gorgeous color each day. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the names of my day lilies.
The irises I purchased two years ago were moved away from the house to a sunny spot near our newly installed mini pond. Apparently, this is what they needed because they are blooming for the first time. I didn't even remember what color the blooms were suppose to be. Turns out to be a lovely yellow.
The Zebra Swallowtail butterflies have been feasting on the white Lantana in the Blue and White garden.
The violas are still going strong. Soon it will be far too hot for them and they will fade and reseed for next year. I find a lot of volunteers all over my garden from previous years.
The Variegated Fritillary also discovered these lovely blooms. My son found two teeny tiny caterpillars on the violas. This is a first in our garden!!! Hopefully in several weeks we will see the butterflies.
The white petunias bring some cheer to the gardenia garden. A lone red bloom in the sea of white really pops.
In the kitchen garden the raspberries are offering their first picking of the season.
We started last week with a handful a day and today we harvested a big bowl full. Enough to eat with a little yogurt for breakfast or over ice cream for an evening dessert.
The blueberries are getting close. Looks like we will have a bounty harvest next month.
Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting each month. Be sure to pop over to see what is blooming around the world.
Hence a quick walk through the garden this afternoon and a late Garden Blogger's Bloom Day post.
St. John's Wort is a bee magnet. Their open, yellow blooms are very attractive to these pollinators.
The day lilies have begun their parade. I like the concept that a single bloom only blooms for one day. With the heat we endure it is nice to have fresh, gorgeous color each day. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the names of my day lilies.
The irises I purchased two years ago were moved away from the house to a sunny spot near our newly installed mini pond. Apparently, this is what they needed because they are blooming for the first time. I didn't even remember what color the blooms were suppose to be. Turns out to be a lovely yellow.
The Zebra Swallowtail butterflies have been feasting on the white Lantana in the Blue and White garden.
The violas are still going strong. Soon it will be far too hot for them and they will fade and reseed for next year. I find a lot of volunteers all over my garden from previous years.
The Variegated Fritillary also discovered these lovely blooms. My son found two teeny tiny caterpillars on the violas. This is a first in our garden!!! Hopefully in several weeks we will see the butterflies.
The white petunias bring some cheer to the gardenia garden. A lone red bloom in the sea of white really pops.
In the kitchen garden the raspberries are offering their first picking of the season.
We started last week with a handful a day and today we harvested a big bowl full. Enough to eat with a little yogurt for breakfast or over ice cream for an evening dessert.
The blueberries are getting close. Looks like we will have a bounty harvest next month.
Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting each month. Be sure to pop over to see what is blooming around the world.
I can't remember the names of some of my plant cultivars either. The color on the third lily photo is extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteLove to have some of those blueberries when they mature. Put them on my pancakes. yeahhhh
ReplyDeleteWow - raspberries. I agree with GS... that third lily is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI understand not having as much time for the gardening as you need or like! That has been my month too... as well as the late post :)
Happy GBBD Karen!
~Julie
Lovely blooms. Your Daylilies are sure blooming away right now.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
It is great that your yellow iris is now happy enough to bloom for you. Pretty shade of yellow. Love the Fritillary caterpillar, don't think I have seen one before. (or knew what it was when I saw it).
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm red raspberries, lucky family!
Wonderful pictures. I love it that you have a wildlife-friendly garden.
ReplyDeleteKarin I am with you...not enough time in the garden...all lovely blooms I am awaiting...and hopeful to see butterflies soon. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only gardener who forgets the names of cultivars... The problem is I hate having all the white nursery tags in the ground so I get rid of them, and then I forget what's what after a year or two. You inspire me to try to identify caterpillars. What resource do you use?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book is a Princeton Field Guide: Caterpillars of Eastern North America by David L. Wagner. It is a very comprehensive book with photos of all the caterpillars (moths & butterflies). The index has two parts to look up by food plant and also by taxonomic & subject. On line I use Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
DeleteThis site has various search functions and photos. I hope this helps and you have fun id'ing your caterpillars!
Beautiful photos of St. John's Wort! Actually, all your photos are lovely. I'm so jealous of your Raspberries and Blueberries. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLovely and I wish I knew what the caterpillar is...what fun...Michelle
ReplyDeleteLove that iris. I lost a number of siberian iris last year in what I thought was too much sun and moving them to a more shaded location this year but it seems you did the opposite and had results. I love these plants but seems I don't have the green thumb when it comes to them.
ReplyDelete