The Spring Flush
Trying to Keep Up
The garden underwent explosive growth after a week of heavy rain, and now I'm struggling to keep up with it.
Thankfully everything is already in place, watered, fed and enjoying its preferred sun exposure, and since I respected the recommended planting distances for a change, has sufficient room to grow.
The borders, the grass, the weeds - all things green are developing at lightning speed this month.
It's chaos, but it's a happy chaos, adorned with cheerful blossoms and trailing flowering vines.
The warmth and the rain heightened the unfamiliar flower fragrance that fills the air, and for once I stopped resenting the wild honeysuckle, which seems to thrive anywhere and choke out all competition.
I didn't realize it was fragrant, at least I hadn't noticed that before; it now bows gracefully over the garden walk, veiled in bridal yellow and white flowers, a poet's dream.
A quick assessment of the borders all but guarantees a splendid garden next week, judging by the sheer amount of flower buds.
Of course, as soon as the rain stops, I have to weed the borders again. And mow.
Almost There
The late spring bloom is dominated by roses, and that makes it easy to overlook the stunning display the other perennials put out. For the sake of fairness, I'll remind you of a few.
May is the time when Turk's cap lilies, the unsung lilies of spring, burst into abundant bloom, displaying beautiful hues of red, burgundy, yellow, and gold.
Five-foot-tall beardtongues boast elegant spires adorned with charming pink and rosy bells.
Proud peonies produce blooms so heavy they drop to the ground unsupported.
Purple, pink, and white clematis quickly covers fences and trellises with blankets of flowers, and lily of the valley gleams at its feet, announcing its presence from afar with exquisite fragrance.
Coral bells, cranesbills, and columbines showcase their delicate flowers atop dense foliage, as if to ensure they are being seen.
Bright orange poppies spread across the landscape, resembling small fires when viewed from a distance, while a sea of irises in every color imaginable strive to outshine them.
Lilacs and lavender compete for fragrance in the sunshine while rhododendrons and azaleas add color to the shaded nooks under large trees.
Lastly, the red hot poker plant, aptly named so for its fiery flower clusters, which look like incandescent metal. This stunning perennial made its way back to my garden after a long absence, unfortunately too late to bloom this year.
Once Blooming Roses
May marks the beginning of the season for the once blooming roses, and the damasks, rugosas, and floribundas look like they will be covered in flowers this year.
The adorable red bud in the picture is a ruse. The crimson edges on the petals of this Leda damask fade to pristine white once the flowers open.