The last of May.

Bring on June. It's supposed to be 97 here today. It's 82 already.

New Life.

I took cuttings this morning of some weigela, azaleas, and vitex. I think it might be too early for vitex, but I'm experimenting again.



Then I squirrel-proofed it.



I hid the container under the deck on the North side of the house. I suspect I will check on them too infrequently and half or more will not survive. That's part of my process.



The fig tree I rooted in 2009/10.



We have tomato blossoms.



And blooming hosta.



But the crinum, stuck back in the rear steals the show for me. Graceful and delicate.



It's 84 degrees. My back is a tinge red again today. Vitamin D is flowing through my body. Older joints don't hurt as much under direct sun. The boat will be here soon. I'm so ready.

Devil's Trumpet.

Last night.



Tonight.

Feels like Summer.

92 degrees was the high today. Rain in the forecast again this weekend. Things are popping.











I can't remember who sent that Crinum bulb. I do remember a note saying it "might" survive in a protected site. So I put it against the corner of a south facing chimney. The sago palm that survived the winter is on the other corner. It's been three (maybe two) years since I planted it here.

For a whole buck, I picked up a very distressed Texas Everbearing Fig. I'm hoping some cow manure compost and a little tender care will bring it back to life.



The night I wait all winter for has arrived.



I'll be sitting outside half the evening watching it open.

I waited two years, again.

And this is the bloom on these dianthus. Really? Yes, that's a Lady Bug.



Ditch lilies are blooming.



Asiatic Lilies too.



Red Hot Pokers - Torch Lily.



Hydrangeas from rooted cuttings. I planted these over 2 years ago. I rooted them in the cloner that I no longer use.



Ligustrum are blooming. Eventually they'll grow large enough to hide the neighbor's ugly chain link fence.



It's been cool the past few days. We got more than 3 inches of rain in my yard. The official tally is a lot less, but they are a few miles away. There was spotty flooding in some areas just 10 minutes south of here. That's not unusual when we have a few days of rain. The sun is shining now. Temperatures are climbing back to normal. By Sunday, we'll be in the upper 80s, maybe 90. It's been a long spring. That's unusual.

Soggy all week.

Last night, storms passed through and dropped almost an inch of rain in a few hours. All week, there's a good chance we'll see storms overnight. Glad we got the budget out of the way over the weekend. Sales were strong this year, but not as good as last year.

The rain is making it hard for me to plan for the backyard. I need more blooms and flowers. I want it to feel more like the bed near the driveway. I can divide and sow and move plants. I like scattering seeds best. It's easy. I'll work on it more over the summer and fall. I got time.



Some bicolor Rose campion might be nice. It can take the dry soil and searing heat.



Datura blooms are coming.



The humid air fills with the aroma of magnolias and honeysuckle.



It's 77 degrees. I can't get over how nice it's been lately.

Long Spring.

We've had cool nights and warm days. Spring has survived. We've only had one day at 90 degrees so far. Today, it's 81. Thunderstorms are very likely this afternoon. I'll probably take a nap.

The city, probably due to financial restrictions, failed to chop back the streetside "weeds" as they have the past two years. Privet, honeysuckle, and mock orange fill the air with their fragrances.



Just past the hedge, the perennial bed comes into view. I love coming home.



There's a little something everywhere in this bed. I'm gonna be scattering seeds all summer and fall to fill in neglected parts of the yard.



Reseeding annuals fight for space among perennials and biennials. I noticed the brugmansias are already a foot tall in another area.



The arbor is showing off this year.



It can barely compete with the larkspur and shade plants that I put in last year.



In the backyard, two of the 5 Southern Magnolias are blooming. The scent is heavenly. I can't wait for gardenias.



I'm not working in the yard a whole lot these days. Between my hours at the store and personal commitments, I've been busy. Watching it do its own thing has a certain charm to it. I planted it to do just this when I started. I'll make changes as I feel the need. It's maturing slowly. Just wait til next year.

The realtor and I had a chat. The keybox will be removed this week, but we're gonna just let the contract run out in June. I've got nowhere to go, yet.

Peonies

If you've ever smelled them, I can't really add anything here besides photos. If you haven't, you should make it a point to find a clump somewhere.







Squash seedlings. Beans are just starting to crack the soil. No cucumbers yet.



It's 73 degrees and cloudy. Off tomorrow and Wednesday.