Yarden

Friday night's winds took all the remaining redbud and pear blossoms. We're seeling these irises now: second flush of blue, bi-colored yellow and white, all white, and a couple of crimson purple ones. Waiting to open are fat buds of all-yellow Dutch iris. All colors of ranunculus are open; all colors of anemone remain open. Both of these have stood up extremely well to the rains and winds. Geranium and Flower Record narcissus are open, with the last of them saved by the cooler weather. There were plenty of Carlton-type daffodils in something we put in this year; they are too large for my taste, but the color is good and sharp. We continue to have many from the White Flower Farm mix appearing, most of them mysteries to us, but in all heights, types, and sizes that aren't large. The Bastrop grape hyacinths have finally appeared; they are the largest and bluest of their kind, with an edge of white. Ipheion is appearing. All the old pink oxalis is covered with blooms. Thunbergia is blooming. What are apparently the last hyacinths are now finishing: deep pink with a stripe. Lantanas are covered with flowers. There are two flower buds on the passionvine. We have five kinds of nasturtium flowers, all in pots carried over from last year, all trailing types. Some of the old tulips put in over the trench dug for the wastewater line are now blooming; can this be the fourth season for them? Opening now are the apricot ones tinged with gold. Potted rosemary and geraniums continue to bloom in this beautiful fresh weather. We're enjoying B's rejuvenated spirea. Today saw the opening of the first corn poppy, which is very strong in color and not so washed out as they usually are. We've seen no Thalia. The dominant male squirrel plays on the rope swing: he jumps up from the ground to the knot and sets it going; when it slows, he flies off and then makes a running leap on to the knot again to renew the swinging. He must be the replacement for Bushy Buddy, who did not reappear last year. We knew BB by the notches in his ears and the bare places on his tail.