Spring, Just in Time for Summer!

Thank goodness for Forsythia.  If it hadn't been for these glorious blooms, I wouldn't have had to wear my sunglasses at all.  In May, we had record rain, record cloud and spring that felt like it really wasn't able to start its engine.  The only good part was that the plants that were compromised over the tough winter, were coddled with slightly above-average temperatures.  The night-time cloud cover prevented frost - who knew?  However, these were average temperatures - there never seemed to be one of those days when your shoulders slid back into place because you had that warm hand of the sun on your back.  It was great for bulbs, starting grass, doing my husband's newsletter and stuffing seed packages.  When there was a bit of a break in the weather it was just too wet to even try to fiddle about to get anything done.

Mid-month we were invited by Loblaw to see their new lawn and garden program (excellent as usual & more on that later).  It was held at the Toronto Botanical Gardens.  As per usual it was another grey day.  I think it was this day that the morning man on CBC said, "For goodness sakes, if I wanted to live in Vancouver, I would!!!"  I'd got there early to see about taking some photos.  My eye was drawn to anything with a bit of yellow.

The soft greens were very pretty.  See just how slow it all is?  Again, thank goodness for Forsythia.

Later that week, we grabbed the dog and took a trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens Rock Garden.  These are the early tulips - just fabulous.  The sun came out for about 15 minutes, and I ran around like a banshee trying to get my fill of flowers with sunshine on them.

Things always look so much better with a little bit of sunshine.

As we left the rock garden, the weather had changed back to the usual.  When I see something like this I want to be naughty and dig a few plants up and move them to other side.  Really looks like they're not speaking.

This lovely blue pulmonaria was a gift from Mum's friend who divided her garden up before she moved.  Really is an excellent blue.

And, here is one of three plants Kevin planted in the garden.  Each year it gets better and better.

Definitely more artistic background compared with the garage-framed photo above.

But of course, it rained and rained hard.  Alas, all good things must come to an end.

The next week, the magnolias put on a splendid show.  I think this looks romantic.  Was horrified when I heard someone call them MESSY!

 It was magical when the sun came out even for a short while.  This was taken on a Bart-walk using my telescopic abilities.  Funny how good light can make even the deadest of hedges look interesting.

Felt like throwing myself into this little sunbeam to soak up the ray.

When the weather cooperated, I planted up my veggie garden - so far, bugs 10 (all the sunflowers (doesn't that just figure) and one brassica), Barbara 60.  We also topdressed and seeded the lawn.  Such an appalling task, but essential.  Hopefully it will make it all look a little better and less sparse.  I think the grass has picked up my vibe that I really don't care for it all that much.

The grass wasn't the only bit of the garden requiring remedial action: poor little tulips are being eaten alive by the Gallium.   "Heyyyyllllllpppp meeeeeee........"

An artfully shot tulip next to a whack of Calycanthus florida hit hard by the winter.  Fortunately, it thickets somewhat and the outer ring of newer plants were fine.   I gave the centre a major cut back when I was able to establish just how much of it really was dead.

And there were a few surprises - a Brunnera macrophylla  has seeded and produced a white one.

My goodness, can you see how even the camera is squinting with the bright light.....

With my major office chores complete (newsletter in the mail before the postal strike - whahoo) I hope to be back in blogging action.  Look forward to writing and catching up with everyone in the days ahead.