Bloom Day — May 2014

If there’s anything that throws our slow start to spring into sharp relief, it’s photos of lilacs from May Bloom Days past (I’m look at you,  2011 and 2012). On May 15, 2014, lilacs are just beginning to leaf out. We’ll have to look to this collection of photos submitted by members of the Storey family for proof that spring’s other familiar themes are finally visible. Happy Bloom Day! What’s happening in gardens, yards, and woods where you are? 

ZAN DAVIES, NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS

I have nothing in my yard, but have been enjoying these on my evening hikes in North Adams.

LISA HILEY, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

Tulips planted in the fall by the giant rocks that were dug up when we had the driveway redone and turned into a landscape feature

Daffodils and hyacinth tucked under a row of ninebark Diablo bushes

Mini bleeding heart, wood poppy, flax just starting, and snow drops gone by

Oops, where did all those come from? There’s a proper garden in there somewhere...

EMILY SPIEGELMAN, WENDELL, MASSACHUSETTS

Tulips we planted last fall are a riot of red.

Violets have taken over! I may have to do a little backyard foraging and make some violet syrup.

Hyacinth

Just as the early daffodils go by, these beauties come on strong.

The pale green flowers on our red currant bush draw all kinds of strange pollinators to the yard.

Can’t wait for these to become strawberries.

A low hum emanates from our rhododendron this time of year, between the lumbering bumble bees and a very busy male ruby-throated hummingbird.

Not blooming yet, but I'm very happy to see that one of my favorite dahlias from last year is happily sprouting in a pot on the back deck, thanks to Nancy Ondra’s very helpful blog post about overwintering tender bulbs!

While the pansy's not homegrown, it's another favorite of our resident bumble bees. I did submit this photo to The Xerces Society’s Bumble Bee Watch and, though I’m waiting for verification, I think this is a Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens). 

JENNIE SMITH, HOOSICK FALLS, NEW YORK

Bleeding heart

Corydalis

Primrose

Virginia Bluebell

CARLEEN MADIGAN, CUMMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Barrenwort (Epimedium x rubrum)

HANNAH FRIES, MONTEREY, MASSACHUSETTS

We still have daffodils and forsythia AND tulips and such!

DEB BURNS, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

Cloudy with a chance of tulips

Bleeding heart liberals

Montmorency cherry in bloom

Orange and yellow

My little shadblow tree, aka serviceberry, a native shrub I planted in my garden, has come of age and produced blossoms for the first time this week.

Violet revolution!

GWEN STEEGE, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

Bleeding heart

Crab apple blossom

Primrose

DEBBIE SURDAM, HOOSICK, NEW YORK

Phlox

Forget-Me-Not

Vinca vine

MATT LABOMBARD, ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS

Spotted at Jaeschkes Apple Orchard this weekend: