Sharing the wealth

Lilacs, apple blossoms, that big old red azalea out front, and the gold of the golden chain tree – right now is the best time in my garden, and recent sunshine has made it positively idyllic. Since distancing rules make it hard to share the pleasure with friends, here are some glimpses of what I’d like everyone to be enjoying along with me:

What an early-morning view! Out of the bedroom window, our neighbour's apple tree is in full bloom to the left, while our lilacs form a counterpoint to the right. 

Down the back steps, you're surrounded by colour. The summer snowflake is the white bush to the left, the pink wiegelia is to the right, and in the middle, the golden chain tree (laburnum) provides a vertical contrast. 

The lilac tree to the right was missing from the previous photo, but it's hard to get it all in!

Another view of the neighbour's apple blossoms, which are unusually prolific this year.

It was an accident, but the tree peony I bought a few years ago is exactly the same shade of pinky-red as the long-established big azalea out front. Luckily, they both are blooming at the same time. 

The snowball tree by the side of the house is just coming out into bloom, adding to the feeling of luxuriant plenty.

This garden bed mixes veggies and flowers; there will be lavender blooming here soon.

The lily-of-the-valley, which has taken over the space under a hedge by the side of the house, scents the yard in the evenings.

A close-up of the bleeding hearts; you can see the little white hearts bleeding away.

All the  plants I put into this new strawberry bed a couple of weeks ago seem to have taken hold, and look like they're flourishing.

No blooms yet, but these sweet peas planted from seed appear to be well on their way. Lots of tying-up to be done soon!

The beginnings of summer feasts of snow-peas, I hope. 

And here is the veggie garden by the back fence that I've written about before. John seems to have stopped the feasting critters by surrounding the plants with boards. I hope it keeps working. Photo by John Denniston.

This is what the back garden looks like now, with tomato plants up against the screen and rows of peas taking the place of the plants eaten by critters earlier. Photo by John Denniston.

And what you'd see at the front sidewalk if you were visiting today. The red azalea dominates, but the volunteer poppies provide a little spark of extra colour.