The Japanese Iris Ensata began blooming in late June and some are still going strong. Some have fewer blossoms than last year which means I probably need to dig them up and thin them out. Another chore for the fall to do list.

I also have some Asiatic lilies that have lovely color this year

A spotted visitor stopped by

And the daylily show has begun…

More later……

I was walking about my garden yesterday and noticed how many flowers look like fireworks. Here they are strutting their stuff for the 4th of July.

Daylilies and Iris Ensata posts are coming soon. Happy Independence Day! I hope you are outside enjoying your gardens and our beautiful country.

We are in drought. I think I spent most of the last couple of weeks watering and trying to keep things going. Most of the thundershowers in the area missed us, but the next few days hold promise of more so we shall see. In the meantime between hauling the hoses around I have a few photos to share.

The japanese iris are just starting to bloom – I will post some photos once they all come into flower.

Busy times. Weeding, watering, planting, weeding, watering. I have taken lots of photos but haven’t had a chance to post them, so there are a lot in this post. It has been a cool rainy spring but now it is becoming warm and dry. We have had bluebirds and wrens nesting this year and all kinds of birds at the feeders. Chipmunks are everywhere. The iris are beautiful and I have some blooming this year that I thought I had lost. Its always such a treat when a plant returns. Enjoy.

Its really pretty right now. I really enjoy spending time out here escaping from the outside world for awhile

Its fairyland in the garden. I meant to post more photos but rain, wind, and yes, snow squalls etc. got the better of me. Here’s what’s been happening over the last couple of weeks.

I think we have had our last frost, so now I can get to planting the vegetable garden.

The rainy cold spring continues but as usual there are some bright lights in the garden. I have three kinds of bloodroot and they are really pretty this year. The first is the common bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis

The second is the double flowered version “Multiplex”

The next group of photos are of the “Pink form”

I am reposting the following photo from last time because I had many queries about the name and because the dark purple one has now flowered

And now for a few more pretty things

Sunny and warmer days are forecast .. yippeeeeee!

Spring is springing in New England. It rains, it snows, gets warm, then chilly, sunny, cloudy, windy, calm, etc. Some things do continue on in their natural cycle. In my garden, the daffodils and forsythia are blooming bringing lots of cheerful yellow to the landscape. And its getting green.

My favorite part of spring are the ephemerals. Epimedium, trillium, primulas and all the little rock garden plants are waking up and unfolding.

And finally, a photo of our Easter morning kayak paddle out on the Nashua River near our house. One can’t be in the garden all the time.

I’m back. We were in Florida for the winter but unfortunately returned earlier than planned. There was snow when we arrived home in late March, but that has melted. We have had some nice spring days between the cold rainy ones, and I have been able to get back out into the garden. I am so thankful that I have a garden. The world goes away for awhile when I am outside raking, weeding, and watching plants unfold and awaken as they always do in the spring.

The varmints are keeping us company – no social distancing for them. A black bear took out the bird feeders one evening. We saw him but I couldn’t grab the camera fast enough to catch him in the act.

I will try to post more often this spring in the hopes that things will get better, and the flowers will bring cheer. Be well

I wish it was spring, but not for the usual reason. Whenever I am having a tough time or experience loss, I go out in my garden and work, and I find that it helps tremendously. Our sweet 13 year old labrador died suddenly last week. Since there is still snow on the ground, and it is January, there isn’t much gardening I can do. My dog loved the garden. She rolled around in the grass or snow, chased rabbits, deer and turkeys, helped herself to their leavings (ugh), posed for pretty pictures, and kept me company. She just loved to sit on the back step and sniff the air. There is a big hole in my heart and in my garden. These are a few photos of happier times.