Not much happening besides mowing, work and other mundane things, but some of the plant life around here is finally convinced spring has arrived.
Phlox with a Primrose backdrop
The crab apple tree - it didn't have a real good bllom this year. I caugh this at what I thought was the beginning of the bloom on 5/13, but it was actually the best day to take the pic
Last weekend I could tell what vehicles were in that parking lot behind my house, andsee people walking down that street. The leaves were budding, but not in the way. This pic was taken yesterday.
The lilacs and forsythia did not bloom well this year, which I knew would happen since I severely pruned them during the summer (after this year's flower buds had developed). Some of the plants I put in last year are starting to develope, but it will be another year or two before they are picture ready. Other plants don't seem to have survived the winter; None of the redbud trees are even trying to put out any growth and 3 roses were lost (the two by the front door are coming back though). Looks like even some of the winterberry was lost, while others are coming in.
Hoping to find some time to work in the yard during the summer, bring some sapplings down, plant some shrubs that I overwintered in pots etc., but with my current schedule and the weather pattern, I'll be happy if I can just keep the lawn mowed and weeds down to a minimum in existing plant beds.
None of my iris came up this year, and the only tulips that came up were the ones I planted in the fall, none of the older ones came up. I guess they didn't survive the winter, or possibly last spring's hot and dry spring with this past winter on top of that? None of my hibiscus have come up yet, but when I dig down a little to check I think the roots are still viable, so I'm waiting (im)patiently. I will say that the Japanese variegated willow bush I planted two years ago is thriving and huge. If I didn't prefer a: flowering and b: native I'd seriously consider buying a bunch more of them to plant all over.....
Posted by: Ruth | May 22, 2016 at 09:03 AM
Lovely, lovely photos of the phlox and crab apple tree. As to the parking lot photo: It's amazing how quickly green stuff can grow when it takes a notion to do so!
When one has as many employed work hours, each week, as you do, it's tough to keep up with yard and house work. I'm happy that you can handle it!
Posted by: Cop Car | May 22, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Ruth - My iris never died back - course it probably helps that they are planted next to the house. They did have some damage from the -21* we had, but none of it went to the rhizome.
My hibiscus hasn't come back yet either. But, for some reason I was thinking they don't really start putting out shoots until later, and I know they need lots of water. Although planted in a wetter area, the dry spring hasn't helped in that regard either. So, I'm being patient with that one.
Posted by: bogie | May 22, 2016 at 12:49 PM
CC - NO vegetable garden this year as it would need to be watered regularly, and I won't be around to do so during the week. I did repot a couple of the overwintered shrubs into larger pots, then sunk them back into the raised bed that they overwintered in. I fervently hope that none of them decide their roots need to go outside their pots. If the roots do spread, that raided bed may become another shrub garden. I'm okay with that, but would rather they didn't.
Posted by: bogie | May 22, 2016 at 12:52 PM
You still only get 24 hours each day, unfortunately. Sometimes we hate that we have to pick-and-choose!
Posted by: Cop Car | May 28, 2016 at 10:55 AM