Memorial Day

Here are two nice photos from my garden this morning. I weeded, moved a astilbe to a shadier spot, watered and did general cleanup today. Also bought some vinca to fill in the back garden.

Unofficial summer

Memorial day means the unofficial beginning of summer. Happily it still feels like spring. It has been a cool, wet May. Just want the gardened needed. Peonies are beautiful this year; taller than I have ever seen them. My hydrangia bushes are blooming, and look much better than in 2007. I am surprised that one is purple and the other almost red. I was expecting them to be blue. I may want to change the PH of the soil.

My shasta daisies have completely disappeared. I can't imagine what happened to them. I have cosmos all over the yard...reseeded from last year.

The zinnias and four o'clocks are coming up nicely, as are the dianthus. The re seeded grass is also looking good. Most of the plants in the back wall beds are growing very slowly.

The pond hyacinths are doing extremely well. I may have to monitor them so they don't take over. We have several large gold fish this year; and a nice sized bull frog.

The house in May

My husband asked me to post pictures of the house so he could show them to friends. So, here is how the house looks today. Wow, I compare this to pics I took in Feb. and what a great difference!

I have also posted a picture of the pond. The flags are blooming and the water hyacinths seem to be keeping the water pretty clear. We have a good size bull frog.

Peonies are about to bloom. Abelia bushes are beginning to bloom too. Daylilies and gardenias have buds.

Ivy!

The property line on the south side of our house use to be covered with English Ivy. We've been joining forces with our neighbors to take control. What a job. Last year we dug our bunches, but with all the recent rain, it is coming back with a vengeance. Saturday we pulled and cut out two big barrels full.

I saw ivy for sale at Lowe's. I think I need to try to sell some.

Planted zinnia and sun flower seeds last week as well. The zinnias are starting to emerge. Oddly, there is no sign of my shasta daisies. I don't understand why they have not come up yet. All the other perennials have. It also looks like the cosmos I planted last year have reseeded...everywhere!

How things are looking

I planted zinnias and sunflowers today. Also a tea olive bush. Continue to cut back the stuff along the fence lines. Also treated the gardenia bushes again, as the white flies are still a problem.

Here are photos I took yesterday. Iris, Oxalis and angel's trumpet.

So much to do!

I love working in the garden this time of year. The weather is perfect; not too hot nor too humid.

I planted my moon flower vine today. I always have one running up the light post next to the front walk. Also planted geraniums in the front yard and in pots. Been pulling lots and lots of weeds, and pruning back the bushes along the property line. I also planted some simpervivum (hens & chicks) in the front yard where it is rather dry.

I also pruned the azalea bushes this morning.

There is no sign of my shasta daisies yet. I'm surprised about that. But, the coneflowers and black eyed Susan's I divided are certainly looking better. Rose campion is now blooming and the peonies are budding. Iris are about gone.

We had 3.25 inches of rain over the weekend. I think we are now officially in a 'moderate drought' situation.