On Mom's Day

The cardinals are out today. We have a couple who is building a nest over the iris bed. I haven't been able to capture the female but got a few snaps of the male.



I have a whole new appreciation for those who do bird photography. It's very difficult! I need to practice more. I think it would be better if I didn't bring Winnie out with me when trying to get these photos. She tends to scare away the birds. Go figure!

Back in those bushes, is where the nest is. Haven't located the exact spot yet...

 More iris blooming in the bed. This is Clarence, another rebloomer that is a good performer for me.

I love Chicago Peace. The colors are beautiful and so bright.

Gertrude Jekyll is waking up. The fragrance of this David Austin wafts across the front yard when in full bloom.

 

An aging Easy Does It.

I have two Quietness bushes along the back of the border. I love these blooms and the fragrance. Love seeing all the buds this morning. The scent of these is among my best.

Best Bet iris



Liason Iris



Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Slowly but surely...

Roses are starting to bloom, even in this wet weather. Took long enough...although earlier than last year. It's like waiting for Christmas morning!

Easy Does it. Huge blooms, looking perfect as always.

Mr. Lincoln. Beautiful but a bit pinker than I thought it would be. This is his only bud on the entire bush so far. Thankfully the bud didn't ball up in the weather.

Play Boy. Always one of my favorites.

Cherry Parfait

Black Cherry. Always one of the first to bloom and my truest red. Not quite open all the way yet, but I couldn't wait.

Heeling in "Easy Does It"

Last year I ordered a bunch of "Easy Does It"s at the end of the season. I had 1 "Easy Does It" that bloomed beautifully for me and at the end of the summer it was my only modern rose that didn't completely defoliate due to blackspot. So I went a little crazy and bought 8 of them thinking that I would replace a bunch of my more high maintenance Hybrid Teas with these.

Such a beautiful apricot shade with ruffles around the edges

As the blooms fade, the color turns to a very pretty pink

The bush itself has a nice shape and even bloomed in this shady spot

By the time I received them, it was November so I knew I had to heel them in since it was way to cold to really plant the roses. I soaked them overnight, dug a big hole and plopped them in. I didn't even snip the tags off of them. I think you're supposed to cover up more of the canes, but I can't dig very deep holes before I hit a tree root. Still seemed to work.

A group of four in 1 hole over winter

 
This weekend I dug them up and spread them out into holes of their own while they were sleeping. They look really healthy and are already budding. Can't wait for them to bloom. I planted 4 on each side of the front garden to act as bookends.

Nice healthy roots just like always from Pickering



New holes await!



Everyone in their new home!


Next weekend when I officially prune, I'll rake out all of the old leaves and mulch.

See all the buds already?