Bloom Day - May 2017

Sunny days with the birds chirping and bees buzzing have been few and far between in the damp Pacific Northwest. In my zone 8b gardens, the blooms are budding but they've been difficult to capture between rain and hail storms. Above, my favorite shot of pink dogwood blossoms from 2017.

lewisia cotyledon 'sunset strain'

I keep my lewisia in a metal kitchen strainer to keep the plant from getting too wet. Above are the pretty blooms I have been rewarded with. It's native to Southern Oregon but isn't happy with too much water and not enough sun.

The tulips finished blooming in early May. They endured a windy and wet spring. I grow them in pots in order to keep the blooms from drowning in my wet, heavy clay soil.

Geum 'Totally Tangerine'

My geums 'Totally Tangerine' have provided a delightful spray of orange color. Very cheerful, especially with the number of deary days. This geum flourishes in dappled sunlight and in a less than ideal garden box....one that will be paved over with cobble stones some day.

The geums edge this small planter that hugs the walkway to the backyard. Someday...I've putting paving stones down to create more walkable space to the backyard.

blooms from the variegated saxifraga

Pretty spring bulbs, ornithogalum or Star of Bethlehem..I inherited these pretty spring bulbs and enjoy them every year

The upside of all the rain and cool temps is the lush foliage emerging from the plants. My garden beds are full of color.

look at the size of those rodgerisa leaves! Gorgeous bronze color.

The fruit trees bloomed...briefly. The rain and hail really pelted the fragile blossoms. Hoping that the bees had a bit of time to pollinate despite the weather.

apple blossoms

fothergilla 'Mount Airy'

We've had maybe 2-3 evening after-work where we could come home and enjoy the grassy patio. Demon cat was eager for us to get the cushions out.

Now the cats are happy....the humans were finally useful!

I've tried to soak up the bits of sunshine as much as possible when it's emerged....such a cool spring, but in all realities..an average one. We had been spoiled the past few years with warm starts to the growing year.

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! Visit Carol, host of these monthly meme and see what is blooming around the world as we celebrate something that joins all of us together..a love of gardening.

Cheers, Jenni