April's Joys and Disappointment

April was a lovely month here in SW Indiana. We only had one really bad frost, the temperatures were June-like for a week and there was enough rain to charge up the garden. The garden responded to the lovely weather by popping out in blooms. The White Lilac that I stuck into the ground as short stick had its best bloom since I planted it. A happy surprise was that the Camassia bloomed right along with it.

The Peony Tree always starts out with the big fat buds full of anticipation.

Then the huge beautiful blooms appear shortly after the buds swell. While the blooms are gorgeous they just don't last long. These gorgeous blooms were open for only three days.

Then we had some rain and they turn into such pitaful ragmops. They are just the most disappointing flowers I think Ihave. Maybe I expect more from them but the tree doesn't set new blooms after the initial blooms have budded and bloomed. I wouldn't advise anyone to grow them unless you can find a more forgiving variety than I have. This one I have written down as Tree Peony paeconia. The other disappointing thing about it is that it was supposed to be purple. Maybe to someone elses eyes but not to mine. Other than this little disappointment there has been no high drama in the garden. Just me and my Dearly Beloved out there waging war against the weeds. What are some of your joys and disappointments of April??

A Few Blooms

The Peony Tree blossoms didn't survive the deluge of rain we had. They did their best while they could. It only had 5 of these huge blossoms on the peony tree. I am always amazed when people tell me that they have blossoms that number in the teens or twenties on their Peony tree. While I would love to have more I have learned to relax and enjoy what we do receive. I guess ours doesn't get as much sun or fertilizer as others. I just love what we do get though.

The Camassia quamash is about finished blooming too. It is just great when it blooms that beautiful blue.

The following orange is a wild flower. I have posted it here hoping that someone could help me identify it. I saw this brilliant orange blooming on a bank along the Wabash that had been stripped of all the trees and shrubs. One of our favorite spots to watch for warblers wouldn't you know it. The Parks Dept decided the hillside needed to be cleaned up. This flower is our consolation prize I guess. I just wish I knew what it was.
Have a wonderful weekend all. We will be helping with the Illinois Spring Bird Count tomorrow. Then Mother's Day. Such a busy weekend. I wish you all well.