The Joys of Spring

   The lushness of the garden in spring has finally arrived.  The barren fields of our farms are now green with the promise of corn and soybeans.  The headaches of planting are forgotten for the moment.  The exceptionally hot weather for May has spurred all green things to shoot up.   (Including weeds)
  The rains have been gentle, farmers wish for more as soon as that last seed is in the ground.
   True gardeners are admiring their vegetable plot and dreaming of the first tomato while munching on early green onions.
   I am satisfied with ;my flowers.

A trip to the College Corner Cemetery
delighted my eyes with the beauty of peonies.  Thanks to the caretakers of the cemetery for this peony beauty.  I’ve seen no other cemetery with  the profusion of blooming peonies at Decoration.  The mix of long established peony bushes with the bright silk flowers can be tolerated.

This young, coral beauty grows in my bed.

   I admired one plant that was covered with dark red blooms. I must have one like that, I thought.  But a stop at Shademakers and a talk with Kevin who informed me that sales were brisk for red and pink peonies.  He had none left.  Only white.    He also told me that they need fertilizer.  I did not know that.  He said every growing thing needs food for growth.  And I
thought peony blooms lived on love.
  Some plants multiply and multiply just on love. Take the clustered bellflower, for instance.  A friend gave me a start some years ago and the purple bloom is gorgeous in the spring.  Soon it had spread to another part of my flower garden.  It became entangled with iris and poppies.
   It was time for me to share, and I did.  And she made it a star with supporting cast.  No love lost there.

This bed can be seen at Stewart Square, OxfordAdd caption

   Some plants multiply without much love.  The lilies of the valley were so
rampant I gave away a bushel basket full.
   Gooseneck loosestrife with it’s bowed heads is charming in a bouquet but
watch out, it will take over the whole flower bed if you let it.
  Growing flowers can be a lifetime of joy and learning.
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