Sunday Snapshot: Iris

Iris

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Sunday Snapshot: Iris and Poppies

Iris

Poppies

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The Flower Moon: May

The May full moon is called the Flower Moon, in recognition of the rising abundance of flowers. I think the Green Moon might be a better name, as the world is never so tenderly, startlingly, brilliantly coloured as when Nature dresses herself in her new Spring Green. However, I took a walk around the garden to see what flowers are celebrating the full moon. The yellow daffodils and white bloodroot are winding down and new flowers are taking over the spotlight. The first lush deep-purple iris has opened. Old-fashioned bleeding heart, both traditional (Dicentra spectabillis) and white (D.s. forma alba) are nearing full bloom. Cushion spurge (Euphorbia polychroma) seems to be competing with the sun itself, with it’s brighter than bright yellow flowers. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is woven amongst the newly emerging hostas. Finally, the flowers on the graceful Smooth Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) will be opening shortly, and not a moment too soon because I spotted the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubirs) of the season on Friday afternoon.

Iris

Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart

White Bleeding Heart

Cushion Spurge

Woodland phlox

Smooth Solomon's Seal

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March goes out like a lamb.

The last day of March was dull and gray. At least it wasn’t actually raining, as it was over the weekend. The river level is quite swollen from the recent downpour. But no ice! March left as it came in, like a lamb. The month seemed to go by quickly, carrying us ever closer to warm weather.

The last redpoll was spotted on Saturday. They have headed back to their northern breeding grounds. A few pine siskins linger, but the niger feeder has mostly been taken over by American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis). No doubt the goldfinches were happy to see the last of their pushy, querulous cousins. The goldfinches are getting ready for the breeding season too. The males at the feeder look decidedly ratty as their new bright yellow summer feathercoats grow in.

The garden will be a surprise this year, as I wait to see what previous owners have planted. There are no bulbs showing their heads, but a sedum (maybe Autumn Joy), above, is pushing up shoots.

The blades of iris leaves are growing.

A hellebore is struggling to flower. It appears that someone dumped sand over it last fall, thus retarding its growth this spring.

March brought no more than a sprinkling of snow. As we begin April, hopefully I am done with the snow shovel for another year (the new, blue, Christmas snow shovel). Still, I though twice about putting it away. I’ve left it at the ready, just in case Winter isn’t done with us yet. Just in case Winter has one more last-minute snow storm up his sleeve. Why tempt him?

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