I wasn't going to do a May 1st garden walk as I'm embarrassed at the amount of weeds I have this year but after looking at
last year's May garden walk, I am amazed at the difference in blooms and green growth. These shots are taken today May 3rd, so please ignore those pesky dandelions while we take a short walk over to the wildflower garden.
I'm pleased to see lots of green growth and wildflower seedlings as well as a few tulips and the bleeding hearts blooming.
What I don't like seeing is that two 3 ft burning bushes seemed to have had severe winter kill on the branches with no budding out. They do have new growth coming up from the rootstock at least.
As we walk back to the house you can see the crabapple tree in full bloom - it smells so good!
In this bed I've had to replace a HF Young clematis (with Rosemoor) and there is some winter kill on the Harry Lauder's walking stick.
Walking to the other side of the driveway we see the rose & iris garden. Here I had severe winter kill on the roses and had to cut those that survived down to about 6" but they are doing well with new growth, two completely froze out.
On the side of the garage all the clematis overwintered well and have grown 2 ft tall already.
The fern peony is almost ready to bloom and after seeing some plants in the nursery last week I have discovered this is a valuable plant. A pot with 1/3 this root base was selling for $50 so I guess I am lucky to have two $150 plants :)
There isn't much to look at over by the barn yet, the clematis and perennials are up but the vegetable/herb area if full of dandelions.
Walking to the patio we see Pine Hollow and spring bulbs blooming.
Turning towards the pond we see more bulbs and my potted elephant ears that need to grow before I set them down in the pond.
Turning a little more to see the rest of the pond and garden.
Let's take a walk towards the cabin...
and look back towards the house...
before continuing to the back arbor.
Next we walk towards the bridge...
and turn to walk towards the satellite arbor...
where we turn to cross the dry creek bed towards the red door.
A look back...
before walking back to the patio for one more view of the pond...
and Pine Hollow where so far I have added some lobelia that will only grow to 4" and some 1" tall groundcover that looks like little fern foilage, leptinella.
I sure hope the dandelions are gone by June 1st!
It has rained every day for a week so I'm stuck inside but still enjoy watching the birds through the windows. The Harris Sparrow's have been here for 2 weeks and I so enjoy watching them as they hop around.
After eating in the rain all day you wouldn't think he needed a bath but maybe his feet were dirty :)
The brown thrashers have learned to come to the feeder next to the house but only when I am not by the window - here is one patiently waiting for me to leave.
White crowned sparrows pretending they are goldfinches...I've never had sparrows on the thistle feeder before.
Have a great day!
