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Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – May 2011

May 15, 2011 By Carol Michel 131 Comments

Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for May 2011.

When it’s May in Indianapolis, all (many) eyes turn to the west side of town where the Indianapolis 500 race will take place at the end of this month. All month long, it’s one race event after the next and everywhere we look there are black and white checkered race flags.

Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 5B garden, where temperatures shot up to near record highs this past week, all the flowers seem to be in a race to bloom, and bloom quickly.

Like the flowers, I, too, am racing around trying to weed, buy plants, plant, prepare the vegetable garden for planting and occasionally, if only for a few minutes, sit back, relax and watch the action.

I’ll soon be racing to deadhead those daisies pictured above, too, because they are Leucanthemum vulgare, prolific self-sowers. I leave just a few each year because they are pretty, but just a few or I’d have a garden with nothing but those daisies.

Looking back on past years of blooms on May 15th, I noticed I have many of the same blooms today as I had in 2007, except that year I also had pea blossoms and the peonies were almost open. Today, the peonies are still tight buds and there isn’t a pea blossom in sight.

2008 seemed a tad bit slower than this year. That year I even had some tulips still in bloom in mid-May. This year they are all done. But to be fair about it, I have almost all species tulips now and the tulips of 2008 were all big showy Darwin types. 2009 seemed a lot like 2007 and ditto for 2010.

But whether the same or changed, I’ll always look forward to May, with its abundance of blooms and generally good weather. It’s a chance to see plans and plants come together to form… a garden.

The columbine (Aquilegia sp.) are all in full bloom.

I’m adding a few new columbine this year, and leaving them to self-sow themselves around the garden. They’ll do so without becoming a daisy-like thug and are easy enough to weed out if they show up where I don’t want them to be, or transplant them to where I do want them to grow.

The Salvia, including ‘May Nights’, are singing the blues.

I bought ‘May Nights’ because of the name.  I keep it because I like the flowers. Speaking of its name, I checked on it and it seems to be listed by different sources as Salvia × sylvestris, Salvia nemorosa and Salvia x superba. I’ll stick with plain ol’ ‘May Nights’ for now.

Have I mentioned my new obsession with Clematis? I’m fascinated by any with a bell-shaped flower, like C. integrifolia ‘Alba’.

I just got three new Clematis to plant, all with bell-shaped flowers. 

The ‘Miss Kim’ lilacs (Syringa patula) are blooming. The scent of them is enough to almost knock you over right now.

But the Iris right next to them is still a tight bud. I can’t recall when this Iris last bloomed, but it was many springs ago so I’m not even sure what the bloom color is. And heavens no, I don’t know the variety, either.

Elsewhere in the garden, there are other shrubs besides lilacs in bloom including Deutzia gracilis ‘Duncan’, marketed by Proven Winners as Chardonnay Pearls®

Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’, the common snowball bush that many of us remember from our grandmothers’ gardens, is almost finished blooming.

She’s a big shrub in my garden, a perfect hiding place for birds and no doubt a rabbit or two. It is also quite possible that maybe a family or an entire village of garden fairies live under there. This shrub is so big that I can hide stuff behind it, too, like the compost bins and the compost tumber. Now that’s a versatile shrub.

There is much more in bloom – Baptisia, Rosa, Allium, Amsonia, Camassia, Geranium, Cerastium, Dianthus, Penstemon, to name a few. The blooms just keep coming and I keep going round and round in the garden, incredulous at times that we are already at the half-way point of May.

I must remember when I’m racing around the garden in May, I should remember to occasionally take a pit stop and sit for a minute or two to enjoy the flowers and remember why I garden. 

What’s blooming in your garden?

We would love to have you join in for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and show us.

It’s easy to participate and all are invited!

Just post on your blog about what is blooming in your garden on the 15th of the month and leave a comment to tell us what you have waiting for us to see so we can pay you a virtual visit. Then put your name and the url to your post on the Mr. Linky widget below to make it easy to find you.

“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garden bloggers bloom day

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather's Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I love those bell-shaped clematis too! If I can figure out how not to kill a clematis I might try some of them myself. Happy May dreams!

    Reply
  2. BernieH says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:14 am

    That Deutzia is just lovely and your bell-shaped Clematis are really something special. Love your little patch of Leucanthemums too. It's always lovely to visit and see what's blooming over your way. Now I'll enjoy popping by some of those other posts, courtesy of your great meme.

    Reply
  3. Alan Pulley says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:15 am

    Nice line-up of blooms Carol! Like you, I too must remember at times to stop racing around and stop occasionally to enjoy the garden.

    Reply
  4. Megan says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:20 am

    Gorgeous blooms Carol!

    Reply
  5. garden girl says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:24 am

    Some of the columbines are just opening here too Carol, with others just starting to bud. The mostly chilly spring weather here has lots of blooms behind schedule, with others that are usually finished by now still blooming beautifully. I love how Bloom Day helps us keep track of the year-to-year differences in what's blooming when!

    Reply
  6. Larry says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Hi… You are of course way ahead of us in the season… lovely photos! As for this part of Wisconsin, we are between two and three weeks behind our normal bloom times…. still lots of daffodils and tulips. The earliest magnolias are dropping and intermediate ones are in full bloom… one day of very warm temperatures brought on numerous changes to the bloom palette…. and now we are extremely cool again with frost concerns for the next couple nights… oh well…. so what's new… this is after all Wisconsin! Larry

    Reply
  7. One says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Your scrub is so lush I could not find the compost tumbler. Thank you for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

    Reply
  8. Corner Gardener Sue says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:28 am

    Hi Carol,
    My daisies are in bud, but not blooming yet. My deutzia, the same kind as yours looks like it may not have survived its second winter.

    I have a number of zone 5 spring blooms on my post.

    Thanks for hosting GBBD.

    Reply
  9. vbdb says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Thank you once again for making me slow down and pay attention to what makes my heart smile. Can't wait to see you again in Seattle.

    Reply
  10. _emily_rose says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:05 am

    I love your Viburnum opulus!

    Reply
  11. David says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:08 am

    Those are some wonderful blooms, Carol…your May Dreams come true. Our May comes on the heels of 3 terribly dry months down here in Texas, but we are trying to stay hopeful for much needed rain. I know further north gardeners are facing the opposite side of the coin with record floods. We got excited the other night when we got 3/10ths of an inch of rain….the first time for this month. Happy GBBD whatever the weather.
    David/ Tropical Texana

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:16 am

    I love that you're displaying 'May Nights' on 'May Dreams' in the month of May. It seems to certify that all is right with your blog's little corner of the world.

    Reply
  13. Ewa in the Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Carol, I think Deutzia is my favourite of all your blooms, but how easy it is to decide the favourite?

    Reply
  14. lotusleaf says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Lovely flowers. I specially like the blue safe. We have a different type of sage here. All the other flowers are only seen in pictures , or in the Himalayas!

    Reply
  15. Rosie@leavesnbloom says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:17 am

    It's very hard to pick a favourite – but it has to be Miss Kim – the scent must be wonderful just now.

    If you pop over to my Scottish garden there's an orange, red, yellow theme going on with the Laburnum tree being the main focus in part of the garden just now.

    Have a great GBBD!

    Reply
  16. Donald's Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:33 am

    I just had time to take photos of the front yard beds. Check my blog to see more photos of flowers blooming in the back yard garden, through the month of May.

    THANKS again MAY DREAMS GARDENS

    Reply
  17. Marc @ GardenDesk says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Hi Carol! As usual, your garden blooms are beautiful. I haven't participated in GBBD in years but I just posted a Bloom Day post, so I'm happy to say I'm back! Boy has GBBD gotten popular! It's great to see that there are so many garden bloggers and wonderful garden blooms out there.

    Thanks for organizing them all in one virtual place like this. Happy May GBBD!

    Reply
  18. Christine @ The Gardening Blog says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:16 am

    Hi Carol – Thanks for hosting again. I love your Clematis.

    Reply
  19. Gesine Seepferd says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Dear Carol,
    thank you for hosting GBBD!
    What a nice post! I really love your Clematis! This one, I guess, is very healthy because it is wild!
    I wish you a wonderful sunday!
    Gesine

    Reply
  20. fer says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:44 am

    very beautiful blooms! I am also going to get a salvia for this summer, I really liked how mine did last year

    Reply
  21. VP says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:46 am

    The Aquilegias are looking good in my garden too Carol. I've just returned full of inspiration from a few days at a gardening show where there were plenty of them there too 🙂

    Enjoy your favourite month of the year!

    Reply
  22. Nan Ondra says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:51 am

    You're way ahead of my part of Pennsylvania, Carol, with so much going on in your garden. After a long hiatus, I finally have some blooms to share too. It's great to be back in the game. Happy Bloom Day!

    Reply
  23. Melissa says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Hey check me out number 30 today….getting better. I can't wait to be able to compare GBBD each year. I just love your line up. I can't wait till next May to see the difference in what is blooming.

    Reply
  24. dorothy says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:14 am

    What pretty May flowers! I especially like the 'Alba' integrefolia clematis. I planted a bell shaped c. 'Rooguchi" this year and I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom.

    Reply
  25. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Carol-Your "May Dreams" blooms are beautiful especially the May Night Salvia! The Salvia are budding here on Long Island but will take a few more days until they are at their prime. The jury is still out as to whether May or June has the most blooms here but thanks to you I am now taking inventory on what is in bloom each month. Happy GBBD and thank you for being our hostess for this lovely gardening event!

    Reply
  26. Unknown says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Like you I am loving my columbines! We are having severe drought in my corner of East England, so for once, longing for rain! Thanks for hosting this lovely monthly gathering.x

    Reply
  27. Rebecca says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Love the clematis! Thanks for hosting this event:) Have a great GBBD!

    Reply
  28. Marie says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Lovely blooms Carol. I've asked for a plant ID today. I hope one of your readers can help me.

    Happy May!

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:39 am

    May is the month for Indy, hope the weather cooperates. You garden is bursting with blooms and having Miss Kim here, I can smell it right through the screen looking at yours.

    Reply
  30. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Carol, I am amazed that you have flowers in bloom in 5b that we have yet to see in 6b. We have been having a wonderful cool spring so that must explain it. I think it is the best spring ever. Thanks for doing this. Carolyn

    Reply
  31. Les says

    May 15, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Your race them reminds me of a Home Depot commercial I can't stand. It makes gardening seem like something that has to be tackled to get done, has to get fininshed and then you move on to putting in new kitchen counter tops.

    Thanks for hosting GBBD and please take many pit stops and enjoy your garden, after all it is May.

    Reply
  32. Sarah Laurence says

    May 15, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Hi, Carol, it's been a while since I've joined GBBD. I visited the Botanical Garden in NYC and wanted to share it with gardeners. Since posting a shot from my own garden in Maine too, my azaleas and cherry tree have come into bloom, but it's been raining to hard to photograph them. Your garden is beautiful at this time of year. I share your love of clematis. We have two strains, but they don't bloom until summer. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  33. Grower Jim says

    May 15, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    I'm showing off 32 varieties in bloom today. It's always fun to participate in GBBD and see what others have to be proud of!

    Reply
  34. LINDA from Each Little World says

    May 15, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    My lilac is still tightly in bud; yours is gorgeous. Very hot earlier this week which pushed a lot of blooms open. Back to cold, windy and rainy yesterday and today.

    Reply
  35. tangledbranches says

    May 15, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    I have May Night salvia too – almost forgot about it because it's off in a corner by itself. (It did nothing to deserve that.) 😉

    It is a busy time here in the garden – racing around to get the heavy work done before hot weather and bugs make it unpleasant.

    Reply
  36. Alexandra says

    May 15, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Haven't been here in a while! So nice, on this cold wintry day, to see everyone's flowers!

    Reply
  37. Diane at My Cottage Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    Hi Carol,

    I love this idea of posting what's blooming each 15th!

    Your photos are lovely. I'm surprized at how far you are ahead of me, considering you are only one zone to the south!

    Have a great Sunday!

    Reply
  38. HolleyGarden says

    May 15, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    I really must get a snowball bush! Yours is quite large! I'll have to remember that when I try to squeeze one into my garden! Thanks so much for hosting GBBD. There's so much in bloom, I'm posting only the yellow flowers this month.

    Reply
  39. Unknown says

    May 15, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    This May garden,even though we are so near Lake Ontario, finds more buds than blooms. So I just took a shot of the 'under the tree garden'. Your garden looks delightful.

    Reply
  40. Janet/Plantaliscious says

    May 15, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Lovely columbines Carol, and that salvia is a gorgeous colour. I am a huge fan of the bell flowered clematis, I much prefer them to the very large flowered hybrids so prevalent, and that white one is truly lovely. Thank you for hosting GBBD again!

    Reply
  41. Jocelyn H. Chilvers says

    May 15, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    Hi Carol, love the clematis – is it a shrub type or a vine? It is interesting to see how the long winter season (and its vagaries from year to year) affects plants' flowering schedules.

    Thanks for hosting this monthly event!

    Reply
  42. greggo says

    May 15, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Thanks Carol for the fellowship you have created with GBBD. I'm a big salvia fan as you can see on my post. Via Con Dias.

    Reply
  43. Unknown says

    May 15, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    I love the "snowball" bushes. Having grown up in So. IL, we had them in our yard too. It brings back wonderful memories. Thanks for posting. Your flowers all look amazing!

    Reply
  44. Anneliese says

    May 15, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Hi Carol,
    It's been a while since I've posted but I'm back! Things have definitely been slower to bloom this year up here in Wisconsin. I still have a few scraggly daffodils when last year at this time they were history.

    Looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Reply
  45. Wife, Mother, Gardener says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Thanks for hosting!

    I love the subtle look of the bell-shaped flower Clematis also… and 'Alba' is lovely. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  46. Rhonda Hayes says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Thanks for hosting Carol. I love that Alba clematis!

    Reply
  47. Rhonda Hayes says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Once again I forgot and put my name instead of blog name, sorry!

    Reply
  48. WashingtonGardener says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    NIce blooms – all!

    PS I "deadhead" my daisies by cutting bug bunches of them for indoor vases – get to enjoy them "double."

    Reply
  49. wilderness says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    So nice to see so many plants in bloom. Sitting here on the Mountain in zone 4 I am still waiting for most to start blossoming.

    Reply
  50. Commonweeder says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Your clematis is beautiful. this is a vine I must add. I had a white Henryii climbing through a rose bush but I think it has expired.

    Reply
  51. Chloe m says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Spring is such a glorious time of year! Thanks for hosting and sharing all this beauty.

    Reply
  52. Jayne says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Your garden looks beautiful this spring. I love the "May Nights" (and I think the name is perfect too 🙂

    Reply
  53. Bloomin'Chick Jo says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day again all! We had rain over night and before it started up again, I was able to get out into the foggy, humid morning to take my Bloom Day photo's. Such a beautiful time of year!

    Reply
  54. Jayne says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Sorry about adding my link twice. The first one is to an old post from last August!

    Reply
  55. Stacey says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Every day I walk outside and there is something new in bloom. It's my favorite time of year.

    Reply
  56. The Sage Butterfly says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Those daisies are so lovely. My Shasta Daisies have not even begun budding yet. This is my first time participating…it is fun to document all that is blooming. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  57. Bumble Lush Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    I'm so glad May finally here. The Viburnum–wow! You may very well have a whole family of garden fairies in there! 😉 That's great, though, that you can use it to cover compost bins, etc. What a great shrub. I'm also loving the pretty bell shaped Clematis. Happy May!!

    Reply
  58. ks says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Do love that C. Alba !

    Reply
  59. Carolyn ♥ says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Thank you Carol, GBBD is always fun.
    I'm amazed that you'll soon be dead-heading your daisies. Mine are just peaking up from the soil. We are also in Zone 5B, but our Spring often comes slowly. I was delighted to count all my blooms this morning. Last week, we didn't have much at all besides tulips!

    Reply
  60. Pam's English Garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Dear Carol, Thanks for hosting — we look forward to GBBD every month. Your May garden, as expected, is amazing! P. x

    Reply
  61. danger garden says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Things are looking good in your garden Carol! Happy May 15th, and thank you for hosting.

    Reply
  62. Marcia says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Carol, what a response to Bloom Day. Is this a record for links?

    And thanks belatedly for adding me to your blog listing.

    What I enjoy about Bloom Day is seeing the blooms again that have passed in my garden in the gardens of those farther north and look forward to the blooms to come from the gardens of those to my south.

    Reply
  63. Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    I am so jealous. Seattle's spring is COLD this year. And now it's raining like heck, but I got outside yesterday and got some photos. A beautiful Blushing Lady tulip to show:

    http://www.lovethatimage.com/blog/2011/05/garden-bloom-day-for-may/

    Reply
  64. Denise says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Wonderful to have columbines seed around. Having just finished our local grand prix, you have my sympathies. Great for local business though.

    Reply
  65. James (Lost in the Landscape) says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    I really enjoyed your bloom day this month, and especially loved the collection of columbines. Such amazing shapes and colors on these!

    Reply
  66. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    May 15, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Welcome to the Clematis obessessives club. The bell shaped blooms are so charming. Love the columbines, especially that double blue. It just wouldn't be spring without them.

    Reply
  67. Helen/patientgardener says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Hi Carol
    Can you remove my listing at 78? For some reason it is linking to my October 2010 post so I can redone it and now appear at 93.
    Thanks for hosting this meme
    Helen

    Reply
  68. Carol at OhWhatABeautifulGarden-Chicagoland says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I call it Groundcover Envy. Its what all other groundcover would have for my groundcover if groundcover could have desires. Come take a look.

    Reply
  69. Pamela says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    I added a link to my poor beleaguered tulips struggling in the late snowstorm we are getting today in CA, no less. They deserve a little recognition.

    Reply
  70. Desert Dweller says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Thanks again – can't wait to read through some of the other bloom day posts! Looks like your part of zone 5b is zooming along…rain, so that's what it does with warmth. I had forgotten anymore!

    Reply
  71. Christina says

    May 15, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Carol, I do hope you are enjoying your garden in May and that it is all you were dreaming it would be during the winter months. You have some lovely flowers blooming this month and as you say we should all stop rushing around and sit back and enjoy it while we can. Thanks for hosting GBBD so we can all see what's flowering in other gardens.

    Reply
  72. Anonymous says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and see other gardens and the chance to show off mine. I hope that you enjoy my post as much as I have enjoyed the others.

    Reply
  73. Anonymous says

    May 15, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks for hosting again! I look forward to the 15th every month. 🙂

    Reply
  74. Rainy Day Gardener says

    May 15, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    Hi Carol, Love the bell shaped clematis, so pretty! You offer good advice about remembering to stop in the midst of this busy spring time in our gardens to sit back and enjoy! I'll try to remember 🙂 Cheers, Jenni

    Reply
  75. Dreamybee says

    May 15, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    You're so right about the snowball bush being a memory from Grandma's garden! Ahhhh, lilacs! I bet they smell lovely–it's one of the scents that I miss out here in the islands.

    Reply
  76. Cat says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Carol so nice to see all your columbine blooming…we can't grow so many varieties and I'm always amazed by the difference in flowers that are available. I agree, it is important to sit and rest and enjoy the garden…I hope you find some time to do that this month! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  77. Beth at PlantPostings says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Thanks for hosting, Carol! Your blog was one of the first ones I was attracted to because I can relate to the name. May is glorious in the Midwest! Happy GBBD!

    Reply
  78. Kate/ Beyond the Brambles says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:38 pm

    My list of blooms is so long this month! Like many of you, I'm having a slower, less-warm spring, which helps to prolong the life of the flowers. I've added some wild species to my selection of what's blooming again. I hope you enjoy!

    Carol, if you like clematis and you like bell-shaped flowers, you must see clematis viticella!

    Reply
  79. ProfessorRoush says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Thanks Carol, always a neat day. I've posted roses, roses, and more roses at Garden Musings.

    Reply
  80. Amy Farrier says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:21 am

    So many beautiful blooms in your garden this month! The bell shape on the clematis is lovely, and I'm digging all those columbine varieties. Wish I could smell the lilacs. Happy Garden Bloom Day!

    Reply
  81. Unknown says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:44 am

    I love all of your photos–especially that clematis–but you're KILLING me with those lilacs! I bought 'Miss Kim' at my old house purely for the name, but I was sorely disappointed at its lack of fragrance. I've heard so many other gardners laud the scent since then that I'm convinced I must have just gotten a dud. Grr. 🙂

    Happy GBBD!

    Reply
  82. Kathy says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:56 am

    You have so much blooming already and all so beautiful! I used to have a Miss Kim lilac. I still remember the scent, very intoxicating. Wish we had smell-o-rama.

    Reply
  83. Not Dabbling in Normal says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:03 am

    This might be the first time Not Dabbling has managed to put up a Bloom Day post! We've had fun today visiting everyone's gardens.

    Reply
  84. Kelly (The Sorry Gardener) says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:04 am

    I can't believe how much you have blooming. We are so slow with the cold and rain in Seattle this year that I only have tulips and one tree. Mom (in your neck of the woods: Monticello) sent me some photos of her garden and her hostas are already ginormous and mine have hardly unfurled. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  85. Jane says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:14 am

    What a beautiful clematis. One of my gardening goals this season is to become a successful clematis wrangler. Thanks as always for hosting!

    Reply
  86. Unknown says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:16 am

    Oh how I love this meme! I can't wait to take a peak at everyone's gardens! I'm a huge fan of columbine..I shall be planting some soon. Thankfully spring has finally arrived here!

    Reply
  87. Shirley says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Oh Carol… please do find the time to enjoy your garden 🙂

    Loving your columbines especially the dark ones. Love that clematis too… my sort of flower!

    Thanks once again for hosting this. Wishing you and everyone taking part a very Happy May Bloom Day 😀

    Reply
  88. bookworm says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:43 am

    I have a small yard in the Binghamton, NY area of upstate NY. We seem to have a similar zone but I think you are a little further ahead than we are. Your photos are lovely. I'm sorry I didn't find out about your site until near the end of the day or I would have had more time to take pictures. I look forward to seeing what others have posted!
    AM – ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    Reply
  89. Lisa at Greenbow says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:01 am

    Your blooms looks so nice Carol. May is the best month. My Lilac and Snowball Viburnum has finished blooming already. Happy GBBD.

    Reply
  90. Anonymous says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:02 am

    My Miss Kim lilac still ahs tight little buds, but the Syringa Vulgaris is wide open. My zone 5 is a couple weeks behind yours, I think…

    Reply
  91. LisaJennings says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:02 am

    Your clump of daisies is beautiful! I was walking by some at the garden center this weekend, and wasn't sure whether to pick them up… but I think I will! Happy bloom day… its always a treat to participate!

    Reply
  92. Becky says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:26 am

    I love your columbine – the deer just ate mine last week.

    Reply
  93. Sylvana says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:56 am

    I love the Alba clematis. Does it climb or trail in your garden?

    Reply
  94. Christopher C. NC says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:08 am

    The roadside vegetable garden slipped in to my Bloom Day report. May 15th is my last frost date and I planted.

    Reply
  95. Cherry Lane says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:08 am

    Love those Clematis. My (zone 7) peonies just opened, so I'm not surprised yours aren't, yet.

    Reply
  96. Anonymous says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:24 am

    Carol, I always enjoy seeing what's in bloom in your garden in May. Your pale pink columbines look like the volunteers in my Gettysburg garden, and those wild daisies will show up in my Maine garden in June. I hope you're having fine late spring weather to enjoy. -Jean

    Reply
  97. Wendy says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:32 am

    I love your columbine. Gorgeous! Great shrub – would never imagine there's a compost tumbler back there!

    I swear we need to do GBBD weekly during May. So much changes day to day!

    Reply
  98. Rose says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:45 am

    I like 'May Night', too; I planted some 'Ostfriesland' salvia because of the name–that's where all my ancestors came from. But the 'May Night' is definitely a stronger cultivar. I understand the whirlwind of activity you've been in, Carol; we're having a wedding reception here in early June for my daughter, so I've got so much I want to get done before then. The heat last week not only brought out some new blooms, but the weeds seemed to love it, too:) I'll try to get a GBBD post up in the next couple of days.

    Reply
  99. Lee17 says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:51 am

    I love all your columbine! I can only grow the yellow ones down here. I miss the blue ones terribly. Thanks for sharing yours!

    Reply
  100. Caroline says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:08 am

    Ooh, lilacs. Too bad they don't do well in Central Texas. Viburnum do, though, and my mother-in-law in Northern Virgnia sent me some May Nights salvia that is doing very well (though both are done blooming here in Central Texas). Thanks for hosting this wonderful garden meme. Happy GBBD!

    Reply
  101. The Lazy Composter says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:32 am

    I loved your post for today. I just saw my first purple columbine last week at the botanical garden and fell in love. I have also been thinking about May Nights, but am a little afraid as I have so many sages, and it's so hot and dry here that they can really take over. What an incredible color, though. The clematis is really sweet as well, as long as the viburnum. They're really great in herbal medicine.

    Reply
  102. CWPickens says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:42 am

    Your flowers are lovely! I have a few things blooming, but the most spectacular right now are rain lilies.

    Thanks for hosting GBBD!

    Reply
  103. John says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:52 am

    Nice looking Clematis, I will have to expand my choices there. Our Peonies are well underway so I wish you the full joy of them as yours begin to open…

    Reply
  104. Wally says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:17 am

    Happy May Bloom Day Carol and everyone!
    Nothing really new here so I'm not posting a link. We've had the earliest frosty spell in 39 years and two nights in a row now down to -7℃ 19℉ which is about as cold as it gets here and it's only May. Some salvias are still flowering, and there's the odd bloom on the hebes and bottlebrush.

    Reply
  105. Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:25 am

    I'm so happy I stumbled upon your blog today! What a wonderful collection of gardeners and their beautiful plants!

    I host a garden blog hop every other Wednesday on my blog, and I'd love to extend an invitation to anyone who'd like to link up this week. I am donating $1.00 to every single link on the blog hop to go to benefit people who lost their homes in the Alabama tornadoes. It's near and dear to my heart, and I welcome anyone who wants to link up for a good cause!

    Thanks,
    Beth @ Unskinny Boppy.

    Reply
  106. Unknown says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:01 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  107. Kerri says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:05 am

    I'd be so much further ahead if I didn't take so many photos, and then have to pick a small percentage of them to post. And think of the gardening I'd get done!
    But the camera does make me look closely at everything, plus I pull weeds and deadhead as I go, so it's not a complete waste of gardening time!
    I see your May dreams are being realized with beautiful blooms in your garden, Carol.
    Yes, it's hard to believe May is half over already. This lovely month goes far too quickly.
    Happy Bloom Day!

    Reply
  108. Annie in Austin says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:41 am

    Happy Month of May Gardening, Carol – your garden looks wonderful! It's lovely here right now, but when the heat comes rolling back I'd like to be a rabbit hiding under that enormous snowball bush. And Miss Kim! What a sweetie!

    My post is late, but it's up

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    Reply
  109. Claire, Plantpassion says

    May 16, 2011 at 10:34 am

    All my Tulips and my iris are over already this year. Forgot about GBBD yesterday as I was concentrating on the veggy plot, made up for it this morning 🙂

    Reply
  110. Gail says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Wowzer on the number of participants! Happy day after GBBD! xxoogail

    Reply
  111. Donna says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    Absolutely loving your May garden. It is my favorite month for gardening as well. Hard to pick a favorite but the columbine are gorgeous…happy spring and Happy May!!

    Reply
  112. Rosie Gan says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Congratulations…on your lovely blooms as well as your growing number of GBBD fans.We look forward to this date with you each month.
    Rosie

    Reply
  113. kris at Blithewold says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Carol, even though I'm a day late and I've got the spring blues (blue flowers that is), I had to join you for May bloom day! It's the best. Love that clematis – I haven't seen the white one and I don't think our blues are blooming yet (or I would have taken their pic too…) Happy May Dreams!

    Reply
  114. Janet says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    I'm late but I posted anyway. It's lovely to look at what is flowering in other people's gardens. It varies so much. And it's a good record for coming years. So please enjoy looking at my garden through my blog. Thanks!

    Reply
  115. Beyond the Dog Dish says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Your garden is bursting with blooms. I always am interested in seeing the different growing seasons; here daisy's are a good month off of blooming yet.

    Reply
  116. JGH says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Ok, you've sold me on that snowball viburnum! Mostly because I'm trying to attract some faeries.

    I wonder if those daisies would self-sow in some of my more difficult areas — but will take your warning and proceed with caution!

    Reply
  117. Oak Blood Three says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    I don't have a garden blog, but I decided to start putting bloom day posts on my tumblr. First two went up yesterday; just photos & captions, with minimal commentary: http://nullmorpheme.tumblr.com

    Reply
  118. Tigerlily says

    May 16, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I'm late, too, but this spring in the Northwest, what isn't?!

    Reply
  119. Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:08 am

    Carol, my racing around the garden is almost over for the season. Such a difference a few hundred miles makes! Love your clematis and all your columbines. I'm trying some columbines this year (next year really since I bought them after flowering). And I'd really like some of the bell-shaped clematis. But as I said, enough running around for now.

    Reply
  120. Ann says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:09 am

    love your bell shaped clematis

    Reply
  121. Craig @ Ellis Hollow says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:20 am

    Better late than never: http://remarc.com/craig/?p=1238

    Reply
  122. Diana says

    May 17, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Carol – May seems so happy in your garden. At least all that rain makes the plants happy, even if the gardener can't get out in it much. Love your daisies and May Night salias – I have them both down here, too. But I am so jealous of all your beautiful columbines. They are all so different and pretty in their own way. Happy Bloom Day!

    Reply
  123. Dee/reddirtramblings says

    May 17, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Love 'May Nights' salvia too, and I keep it for the blooms. So pretty. Deadheaded mine this week. As for 'Miss Kim,' I hate the smell and for those couple of weeks she blooms, I stay away from that part of the garden. We seem to be having your cool spring, and your our hot one. Gardening is ever changing is it not?~~Dee

    Reply
  124. Amy Andrychowicz says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Wow, every time I come here there are more and more people posting! 🙂

    You are a few weeks ahead of us in your blooms. I feel like I just got a preview of my garden! I love that we're finally getting some color outside… it's way overdue!

    Amy

    Reply
  125. ValHalla says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Thanks for such a great idea!

    Reply
  126. EAL says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:17 am

    It's still all about bulbs for me. I do envy your columbines. I got rid of mine in a fit of madness.

    Reply
  127. Floradora says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:42 am

    Such lovely columbines! The one variety I have is happily reseeding around my garden. I need to remember to plant others for a nice mix of colors.

    Reply
  128. Kristi says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:55 am

    I love all of the different types of Columbines. So pretty

    Reply
  129. Moomin Light says

    May 19, 2011 at 4:59 am

    I don't remember May being this busy before, but better late than never!

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  130. Toni - Signature Gardens says

    May 19, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    A little late with a couple blooms, but a busy May poem to go along with them 🙂

    Reply
  131. Iris says

    May 19, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Swooning over all your lush white and purple blooms! Thanks for hosting! I'm four days late, but I finally got my GBBD post up just now.

    Reply

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