It's been a glorious weekend so far, if not a bit unseasonably cool for the Memorial Day weekend. We've had a light shower Friday, and a mix of sunny skies and some clouds since then. But a nice day in the garden Saturday...much done, and a sort out in the potting shed. The peonies came and went, and the roses have exploded with blooms and some new flowers are now in the spotlight. Otherwise, it's been dinner out Friday and Saturday, two happy hours and I have some of the Clan coming for drinks, grilled kabobs and veggies tomorrow. It might not be the typical temps for this holiday weekend, but I won't complain. A four-day weekend is a four-day weekend!!! Some floral and feathers of usual suspects.
Blue Boyd
Begonia and marigold are in.
Grosbeak
Hawthorn....I think? It's been in the garden for over 30 years.
Mountain Laurel bloomed like crazy this year. Or as I call it. peppermints.
Heliotrope
Robin
Clematis
Brown Throated Thrasher
I can't recall what this is.
These yellow roses smell heavenly!
I clipped the last of the peonies with a few lavender roses for the boudoir.
And sad to report, another causality this weekend. One of the baby robins, almost grown, flew into the huge living room windows. I didn't realize just how much bigger these windows were when installed. This is the fourth bird to fly into the windows, but the first one to not survive. A proper sent off was in order, before burial, and a return to Mother Nature.
A little snippet of the far west garden. My herbs are doing well.
There's nothing like a garden to lower the blood pressure and cleanse the mind. Such lovely photos and phlowers. Even the Robin nestled in amongst the blooms is peaceful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy family has taught me to respect nature....all parts of it. Which is why I couldn't in right mind dispose of the bird in the garbage. I often bury the feathered ones if I come upon them.
DeleteAnd your right, a garden has been a nice distraction from news and the countries temperature.
Let us thank April Showers for bringing May Flowers 💐
ReplyDeleteIt certainly did bring the garden flowers this year!!!! And it's been nice having a proper spring.
DeleteSome beautiful specimens there! I love peonies, but we can't grow them (as we have only pots to work with; no soil), more's the pity. Our roses and clematis, however, are doing very well indeed.
ReplyDeleteThat flowering tree may indeed be (an appropriately-named) "Cockspur Hawthorn" (Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia'), and the yellow-flowering herbaceous plant is possibly a type of Agastache (anise hyssop)... Jx
I knew you'd know dear one! This just might be the Summer of Roses! The clematis is around the back of the shed and is out of control...a pruning coming soon. And I saw Mr DeVice's post and thought the flowering tree or bush might be a sort of hawthorn. This is cut WAY back to what it was about two years ago. The thorns on that thing could be lethal weapons I tell ya. And the Agastache is new this year, I shall see how it does.
DeleteYour flowering tree certainly looks like a hawthorn; this side of the pond the hedgerows are full of hawthorn in bloom (a flower that my Grandma said was bad luck to have indoors) under planted with Queen Anne's Lace (aka Anthriscus sylvestris - the variety Ravenswing in particularly attractive).
DeleteOh Helen, don't tell me that. I have clipped some and brough some in. in an arrangement with other flowers!!! And I adore Queen Anne's lace. So pretty and intricate looking. It grows like crazy here on roadways and byways.
DeleteThere are loads of superstitions around hawthorns. Apparently "Midland hawthorn" blossom gives off an unpleasant scent of death soon after it is cut - and in Medieval times, when plagues were common, it was an unwelcome flower in the house. Even older, and originating originally in Ireland, is the fable that hawthorn trees were inhabited by faeries - which is a much more pleasant idea - but it was forbidden to cut them for fear they might curse you!
DeleteIt all makes about as much sense as any other superstitious work of fiction, like the bible or the koran. Jx
I've been doing some sleuthing (passing on Ms Scarlet's windmill finding effort at mine), and I think that's a pyracantha rather than a hawthorn (cockspur or otherwise - trust Jon to find one with "cock" in it!)? The leaves on a cockspur hawthorn have little serrations on the edges, whereas the leaves on yours have scalloped edges. Both have vicious thorns, though!
DeleteI think your right Mr. DeVice. The leaves are ovel and have scalloped edges. And vicious thorns?!?! I was told it would be a small prick and to have no worries. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that.
DeleteWe've been enjoying a few days in Asheville where sign sof post-hurricane renewal are spreading. It's nice to see things coming back from those awful days.
ReplyDeleteYou garden and all it';s glory looks like the flower baskets around town; signs of life!
That's great news!!!! Thats where my dearest uncle moved and Im trying to plan a trip down to visit him. Good to hear its rebounding.
DeleteSimply gorgeous flowers! A pity about the robin fledgling.
ReplyDeleteI dare say peonies are a favorite, but one does one limit themselves to one bloom with this selection. Enjoyed the little film. Your parsley is huge!!!
ReplyDeleteBut morbid or not, the poor robin in the laid foliage with flowers is lovely. You are a kind earth soul Mistress.
Divine darling!!!!! Poison Ivy would be pleased.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with big clean windows - let them get a bit dirty and the birds will stop flying into them.
ReplyDeleteSx
Tell that to Joan Crawford.
DeleteThe gardens, pots, and cuttings are all beautiful. Such a shame about the bird.
ReplyDeletePEENIES!!!!
ReplyDeletePenis!!!!
DeleteAlways so pretty! Happy Memorial day.
ReplyDeleteStay warm and cozy.
ReplyDeleteWho ever thought we'd need to stay warm on a Memorial Day??
DeleteThose are wonderful flowers, and I'm sorry to hear about the bird.
ReplyDeleteIt's all so beautiful! And don't think we didn't notice the memorial for Lily on the rock. That's sweet.
ReplyDeleteSuch a favorite dog and one of a kind....I just had too have a stone for her.
DeleteYou have a beautiful garden. Thanks for the video.
ReplyDeletePeonies, mountain laurel, clematis - they're all beautiful! I'm hoping for some peonies this year as I moved one earlier in the season from a shady spot (where it hasn't flowered for a few years), to somewhere a bit sunnier. It won't be able to match your big, blousy, beauties, though!
ReplyDeleteYes...my peonies are in part sun/shade. And I was very pleased with the mountain laurel this year. Now I must get my big, blousy beauty ready.
DeleteEverything is so damn beautiful! I 'd love to sit and have drinks in your garden. I'm a huge fan of Marigolds and those look huge. Loved the birds too. Love you for respecting the poor bird.
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't tended to a burial, Sophie would have taken care of it I'm sure.
DeleteIt's why I love seeing gardens like your and others. You can see the love and interest that goes into it. Those pictures made my day. Your clematis looks like it's gone insane! But beautiful. Does that bloom all summer long? The passed-on bird picture is actually beautiful, strangely.
ReplyDeleteYour peonies are so lovely this year, Maddie! And your bird photos never fail to delight -- that robin is so fat and colourful too... ours are skinny and pale this year for some reason.
ReplyDeleteThere were many this year to my delight and come and go but all too quickly. Our robins do appear plump this season now that you mention it.
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