Fertilizer Friday - May 28th.

May has been an unusually wet and cool month for us. We've had a total of 4 sunny days, the rest have been cooler and rainier than average. I'm definitely hoping that June brings us some more sun and dryer weather. Part of living in the Pacific Northwest means we have to put up with a lot of drizzly and gray days, but it sure pays off on the sunny days of summer when it's not only clear and bright but there is so much green around us as well. On these rainy days I try to remind myself of that. Some days that helps me, but right now I just want to go outside and garden.
As well as hoping June will bring better weather, I can already tell the garden is going to be at it's best then. Peonies and Poppies are about to pop, Foxgloves are beginning to flower and rosebuds are bursting. The Hydrangeas seem to have many more buds than usual. I can't wait!

Persian Cornflower (Cenataura dealbata) has it's first bloom with lots more on the way. I love these flowers. I'm going to have to see if I can divide this one.

Pincushion flower (Scabiosa)

I wanted to show just how much work the ladybugs have gotten done in the week they've been in the garden since I posted about releasing them here. This one is working on 'Honey Perfume'.

I couldn't believe Strawberries were already forming. I better start putting the beer traps out for the slugs before they discover these berries.

Very exciting to see pears forming on both of our little pear trees. These are on the Littlest Gardener's tree.

I planted this Ninebark (Physocarpus) 'Coppertina' last Fall for the foliage. I didn't realize it would have these cute pink flowers. This shrub is growing like crazy. I've read it can be prone to powdery mildew, hopefully I won't see any on this one.

For some reason I've been buying lots of Dianthus this Spring aside from starting a couple of different types from seed. This one is called 'Spotty'. I love the clove scent the flowers have.

Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' fully opened.

Awhile ago I posted about being surprised at a Clematis that I thought was supposed to be something else. Well I finally solved my mystery. This is 'Piilu'. It has very bright pink flowers with a ruffly edge.

My newest Clematis 'The President' came with one lonely bud that looks a bit tattered. I'm hoping it will brighten up this back fence once it begins to grow.

Visit Tootsie at Tootsie Time to see who else is "flaunting their flowers" this Fertilizer Friday.