Rain in the Gardens

April Showers Bring May Flowers, it's said

but what happens when April flows into May and June?

Wow- flowers galore! 

As the iris fade, Stella D'oro takes over,

bees, hummingbirds, wasps and little critters of all sorts

are buzzing, humming, croaking and chirping all day and night.

The hostas are thriving along with the coleus that lines 

the front of their bed.  Mints grow in pots next to rosemary

and various garden flowers.  While the chives are on their last

blooms it seems that someone has been enjoying a nap or two in the tub.

While I struggle with alternating episodes of frizzing or limp hair,

the butterflies seem quite content to sip on nectar once the rain stops.

I'm wondering if the flower gives them their color or 

is it just nature's way of butterfly cammo.

I don't remember what this bush is called but it is 

amazing this year, spreading out over the courtyard in full bloom.

Our walkway is lined with containers of garden flowers

and an herb or two to keep them company.

Surprisingly the critters haven't started digging in the pots yet,

but give them time!  I'll enjoy them while I can.

I still have not thinned out the pumpkin explosion!

Once the rains stop I need to get in there quickly.

I'm hoping someone wants to dig up a patch or two

otherwise we'll be eating pumpkin for decades!

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs.

That's another thing that has been loving the rain forest 

weather we've been having.  I've purposely left some weeds standing,

believing the ones showing the most damage are the most tasty.

I notice that they tend to eat here than munch on the plants I want.

So weeds I keep, especially this one, whatever it is.

If you enlarge the photo you might be able to see the 

potato beetles on it.

I was afraid the storm had damaged the squash but 

it seems to be doing just fine!  

I can't say the same for my husband's cabbages but they will

survive long enough to get into the crock for sauerkraut.

I haven't been around that much lately.  I think it's the rain.

I swim drive home from work and hibernate in the living room.

   I think we're supposed to have a nice weekend so it will be

back to the garden we go!