Garden Bloggers Bloom Day June 2014

I realize I am a few days early - Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is on Sunday - but I have a very busy weekend coming up so I thought I'd post early rather than late.

Well, it's a typical June after all in my garden. After months of snow and horrid cold, it got warmer and warmer and all of a sudden my garden is lush and green and loaded with colour. Yay!!

My peonies are blooming and look stunning.

The pale pink shrub rose is in full bloom

The dainty deep purple Siberian Iris has appeared in numerous places around the yard

I have several lovely yellow bearded iris that have fought off borer year after year

Ladies Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is fresh with wide serrated leaves and bright chartreuse flowers

Yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) popped up out of nowhere!

Gleaming screaming RED POPPIES!!

The weigela bush suffered quite a bit of die back so I pruned it back harder than usual - is that why I am being treated to such a mass of fuchsia flowers???

The Himalayan cinquefoil (Potentilla atrosnaguinea) has only two scarlet blooms but at least it hasn't died out. It's been around ever since I started this garden 27 years ago…...

I am so happy that my spring garden bounced back from a harsh winter and can provide me and my gardening friends with such a lush, wonderful show now in mid-June.

Please check my food blog for a delicious tart Chocolate Apricot Torte.

Early Spring

Bergenia cordifolia

Sunny warm SPRING just doesn't seem to want to come to Ontario. Today, May 17th, it's 7C outside. Last summer on this same long weekend it was 26C.

WHAAAATTT????

Grumble grumble sad face.

But Mother Nature always seem to come through anyway. I really can't believe how things are getting green and plumping up despite these unseasonable temps.

Climbing Hydrangea

Ladies Mantle - Alchemilla mollis

Magnolia tree blossoms

Scattered magnolia blossoms

Bleeding Hearts - Dicentra spectabilis

Muscari - Grape Hyacinths

Deep Fuchsia Tulip

Red Darwin Tulips

Dandelion (!) (weed)

Red Twig Dogwood

Serviceberry - Amelanchier canadensis

The garden really is changing for the better, despite the weather. Let's just hope for warmer temps soon!

Please check my food blog - one of the latest posts was for Lasagna and the newest is for Zucchini Bread.

Identifying Plants in the Garden

Spring has finally Sprung in Southern Ontario! It's been a looooong wait.

But now that stuff is popping out of the ground, do you know which plant is which?

Here are some hints:

Bearded Iris

Monkshood

Ladies Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

Daylilies - Hemerocallis

Peonies

Foxtail Lilies

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Bleeding Heart

Walk around outside - I'm sure "stuff" is popping up in your garden daily!!

Please be sure to check my food blog - the latest recipe posted is Pan-Seared Veal Chops with Rosemary.

And now, a word from our sponsors…..

There will be 6 more weeks of winter.

DEAL WITH IT.

For solace and warmth, please check my food blog - the latest post is Sweet Potato Soup.