We’ve had a couple of days of constant and sometimes heavy rainfall. Although it’s wonderful for the lawns it’s also pelted some of the flowers. We have a beautiful John Cabot climbing rose in the backyard that has been full of blooms. With the weight of the rain it has pulled some of the canes so far forward that the blooms have been touching the lawn. Those blooms that were past their prime have been knocked down and have created a carpet of petals on the lawn under the bush. At first I wanted to clean up all the petals, and yet upon a closer look I realized that they were truly quite lovely as they lay scattered about. Sometimes the “untidiness” of nature has lessons for us all to learn.
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Peonies and roses of late spring
Our spring garden is in full bloom right now — a delight to all the senses! We have three peony bushes that are all beautiful. The white bush is one we purchased here in Minnesota, but the two pink bushes are from my parents’ yard in Overland Park, Kansas. It’s always a treat to see it bloom and think of them. Our roses are also in full bloom, making for a wonderful and delightful compliment in this arrangement. The John Cabot roses in this image are from a large climbing bush in the backyard. Our early spring and summer weather has the gardens about two weeks ahead of their normal schedule, but I’m not hearing anyone complaining. It is such a treat to enjoy the blooms not only outside in the garden, but to be able to bring them inside to brighten our home.
Spring passages
In amongst the hustle and bustle of the past week I noticed the whitest of lilac blossoms peeking out amongst the green leaves. Whereas the purple lilacs are now past their bloom, the white lilac is at its peak. So similar yet so different, not only in its blossom but also its scent. Our house has been filled with the fragrance of spring, although that too will be coming to a close as the last of the lilacs fade away.
We celebrated another ritual of spring this past weekend — a quick trip to the Kansas City area to attend my niece Alyssa’s high school graduation. With her high school studies, sports, dance, and other activities behind her, she’s now looking forward to attending college in the fall. Congratulations, Alyssa — you’ve made us all proud and we’re excited for you and your future endeavors.
The scent of lilacs
One of the most delightful signs of spring is the emergence of the lilacs. Here in Minnesota lilacs are used as trees, shrubs, and even hedges. They are in every neighborhood, with some bushes looking like they’ve been there for decades. By the sides of the highways and roadways there are blocks of lilacs, all in full bloom with various shades of purples, pinks, and whites. Even more exciting than the sight of lilacs is the wonderful scent that floats throughout the air at this time of year. A fresh rain shower, a light breeze, and the air is alive with their floral scent. I have cut some of our lilacs and brought them into the house to enjoy the scent. Although the blooms don’t last long, I will not tire of replacing the spent blossoms to enjoy their fragrance for the brief few weeks that they grace our landscape.
Spring’s softness
Last week’s photograph was of vivid red tulips. In the bright sunlight of spring, colors often become bold, striking, and rich in contrast. But there’s also a flip side to the season, and that’s the softness that’s found in the spring palette. When the sky is overcast, or in the early morning or late evening there’s a calming and quiet hush that sometimes settles over the gardens. It’s almost as if nature is resting after all its exuberance in bursting forth after winter. In trying to photograph this softness and hush I’ve chosen to take this image with a slight blur, making this more about the shapes, tones and feelings rather than the direct representation of the tulips.
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