As May winds down

the garden is winding up.  I am enjoying every minute of it ~ it feels even more special than usual ~ I think because of the very long winter we endured.  As often happens in the evening, last night found me strolling the garden, camera in hand, ready to capture any new blooms for you (and for me ~ let's not kid ourselves!)  This time of year, we garden photographers have the joyous "problem" of deciding where to aim the camera first, there's such an abundance of blooms.  It didn't take me long to settle on the direction of my new David Austin rose 'Crown Princess Margareta:'

She earns the distinction of being the first rose to open in my garden ~ beating out all my other more established bushes.  She is going to be every bit as beautiful as I remembered (from a garden tour last summer when she first went on my "had-to-have" list.)  She is loaded with buds so I will absolutely be aiming in her direction again (and often.)  You might possibly even get sick of seeing her!  Just sayin'...

Next, I turned to my only white Allium, 'Mont Blanc:'

Not sure why I only have one??  It seems a travesty looking at this photo and at her in real life.  It practically glows in the moonlight ~ I can testify firsthand to that knowledge ~ don't ask why I roam the garden at that hour tho!  I definitely think it's worth adding more of this color ~ what do you think?  Does anyone else grow white Alliums?  I can't remember seeing that many??

I also couldn't refuse pointing the camera at Echium Amoenum (although it doesn't look like I stabilized the camera while doing so!):

Remember I bought this rarely seen perennial two years ago??  I wasn't sure how it would do but it's returned faithfully for the last two springs so I definitely think it's here to stay.  Look how many bloom stalks it sent up this year:

It forms such a neat, tidy clump, doesn't it?  I only wish the hummingbirds were here to enjoy it.  It will be long finished blooming by the time they show up but I'm positive it would be a favorite.

Something I almost didn't photograph is Astrantia major 'Ruby Wedding:'

That's because the baby bunnies have been treating the foliage as their own private smorgasbord!  Both of my plants are almost completely devoid of leaves.  I don't remember them bothering it last year?  Who knows, maybe Astrantia is an acquired taste???!  ;-)  At least they left me some blooms, right?!

Lastly, I couldn't resist turning my camera to something else the garden has produced a bumper crop of ~ baby robins:

They are so cute ~ full of curiosity and bumbling abilities ~ how could I not?  We have so many this spring and they are quite entertaining to watch.  Hopping everywhere with their adorable but vulnerable selves ~ 1" tail feathers and all.   My dog has been relegated to a leash when he goes out for his backyard duties, just so he isn't tempted to snare one.

I know your gardens are beautiful too.  I've been doing my best to get around and admire them as well.  If I'm a little slower than normal, you know the reason!  It's so hard to be inside with all this action going on outside!  Hope everyone has a terrific Memorial Day weekend. 

Comments

[tina]

The robins are so cool! I've been running into a lot too. Love the color of the astrantia. That is one plant I've been looking to add here. You have a great weekend too!

[Lona]

How cute is that baby Robin. I love your yellow rose it is gorgeous and I would never get tired of looking at that one. I am also adding the Astrantia to my list. Mine died out over the winter and needs replaced and that one is a beauty. Yes, you definitely need more white alliums. I should not be the only one adding to the plant list. LOL! Have a wonderful weekend.

[Catherine]

That rose is so pretty. I noticed the David Austins are way ahead of my other roses here too. The Astrania flowers are so neat, I'm hoping I see some flowers on mine this year.
The baby Robin is so cute!

[RainGardener]

Your rose is very pretty. I think I just bought my first Astrantia. If it would quit pouring down rain I could plant it, along with the rest of the truckload of plants I have waiting to go into the ground.

[Racquel]

I see what you mean, there is so much to see in your garden. Where to start first. I love the Astrantia, that deep reddish pink is gorgeous. But that Rose is spectacular as well, it's a good sign when it was the first one to bloom over more established bushes. :)

[Sweet Bay]

That's a great picture of the baby Robin. I know what you mean about that time of year, when everything explodes into bloom at once, it's hard to know where to turn. Beautiful color on the Astrania. Hopefully the bunches will turn their attention elsewhere. The Austin rose is so decadent-looking.

[Sweet Bay]

Hi Kathleen,

CBP and Lupines are legumes and in the same family. Baptisias are legumes too. From start to finish my CBP flowers lasted about 3 weeks, but that includes the bud stage. I think the peak stage lasted about a week.

Those pansies probably won't last too much longer. June is when things really heat up! Summers make me wish I had my own personal bubble of air conditioning.