Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The "May 1st Show" !

Welcome to the May 1st show. 

Executive Producer - Mother Nature. 

Assistant to the Executive Producer - Christy.

Starring:

 The Iris are starting to bloom. This is the front path.


The pink Azaleas are finally open.

 The red Azalea is almost open.


 Iris and  Clematis make a nice combination.


This Weigela is looking good. I really like Weigela and have quite a few different ones in my garden.


"May Night" Salvia in the foreground with "Miss Kim" Lilac in the back. The big Knockout Rose is getting lots of buds on it too!


Here is the Clematis up close. I think it's so pretty and it covers the lattice on the side of our pergola. It's so nice to take a break under the pergola and be surrounded by flowers


Dames Rocket with Iris and yellow Rocket. The Dames Rocket self-seeds every year and will bloom into summer. 


"Tennessee Gentleman" Iris with white Phlox and "Kansas" Peony. My Peonies should be open in about one week.


The colors are just so vivid!


"Earl of Essex" Iris.


"Minnesota Mixed-Up Kid" Iris with Catmint in the backround.


Blue Flax is also a self-seeder. 


I've shown you my Woodland Phlox before, but last week my good friend Angie shared a really great garden tip with me so I thought I would pass it on to you! When I visited Angie's beautiful garden last week she had dozens and dozens of clumps of Woodland Phlox.  Angie told me that all of the clumps came from one original clump. When the flowers fade, she cuts them off, then digs up the clump. She divides the clump into very small pieces and replants them. By next spring all of these small pieces will grow into bigger clumps. She also does this with Pincushion flowers and other plants. I'm definitely going to try it this spring!


The Hummers arrived about two weeks ago. It's always such a joy to watch them. Last year I had a very special encounter that I want to share with you. I was walking to the sunflower seed feeders to refill them when I saw a Hummer sitting on the wire fence surrounding the feeders. I stopped about three feet away and he appeared to be watching me. I stepped closer and finally put my finger down by his little feet. I was dumbstruck when he stepped onto my finger!! We looked at one another for several minutes before he flew off. It is a memory I will never forget. 
I hope you enjoyed the May 1st show. Until next time....

Happy Gardening!

Words and Photos are the Property of Christys Cottage Wildlife Garden.














53 comments:

  1. Awesome pictures, I'm quite jealous. Thanks for the needed array of colors and living things, here in North Dakota, it's still all barren and gray and cold.

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    1. Hi there! Thank you so much for your nice comments. Spring finally decided to stay around and the flowers really love it. I hope spring comes to your area soon! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Love the 'mixed-up kid' photo, the flowers look wonderful against the backdrop of the catmint. I'm also jealous of all your color. Here in CT, my perennials are just starting to wake up. The foliage is making itself known but flowers are still weeks away. Thanks for sharing all your exuberant color.

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    1. Hi Debbie...thank you so much!! It really seems like this year the colors are extra vibrant, more so than last year. I'm only guessing, but I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with the fact that spring came later this year. I'm just so glad everything is doing so well!! Thanks so much for visiting!! Happy May 1st!

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  3. A beautiful production indeed! So glad you post your links on FB because otherwise I might not ever know you posted. Such a pretty phlox!

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    1. Thanks so much Tina! I just love the Phlox and look forward to having lots more because of Angie's tip!

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  4. How lovely your spring garden is already. Mine is barely emerging yet, and I have not seen any hummers although the feeder has been out for the early scouts since the beginning of April. What an experience you had with your hummer! Wow. I have had them look at me while I was watering with the hose, and then hover and fly in the spray just feet away from me, but I've not had one sit on my finger! That was really a special encounter.

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    1. Hi Laurrie....that really was such a special encounter. I was in such shock and the little guy didn't seem to be one bit afraid of me. I will never forget it. I've read that hummers like to fly through sprinklers and drips of water since they can't go into a birdbath. I think you had a nice encounter too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. It is funny how we both ended posts with a hummingbird feeder, yours has a bird and mine is waiting. Your garden is exploding. Mine still has a long way to go for the color. Buds are forming and bulbs are opening, but the perennials are still in wait. I love your soft colors of spring. Your garden really is a cottage garden.

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  6. Hi Donna....I haven't had too many hummers, but they are on their way to you! Two years ago we had so many of them and last year we didn't have many at all. Of course, that makes me worry about them. This morning when I looked out the window I have dozens of Iris blooming...so exciting! I'm so happy you like my spring cottage garden. Thank you for visiting!

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  7. Oh the hummingbird moment is the best thing I've heard in ages! Here's hoping your little hummer friend returns this year. :)

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    1. Hi Stacey....That was such a special moment. I've thought about my little friend through the year and hope he's OK. I really enjoy all the wildlife that lives and visits my garden. They all bring me so much joy. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  8. Oh, my gosh! How exciting to have gotten so close to a hummer! I have been feeding mine for years, but they are still suspicious of me. He must have really trusted you. What a wonderful feeling that must have been. Your irises are just gorgeous, and your garden is greening up so beautifully. I especially love all the blues in your garden. I can't wait to see your peonies bloom!

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    1. Hi there and thank you for such nice comments! The Hummer encounter was so very special. I think many of the birds "know" me because when I'm gardening they just go about their business even if I'm close to them. It's an awesome feeling. I woke to a sea of blooming Iris today...I have to say it's just incredible. I will post more pictures soon because there's just so much going on right now!! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  9. Love your May blog, Christy. Isn't this a wonderful time of the year? Thanks for sharing the joy.
    Helga

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    1. Hi Helga...I'm so glad you were able to comment on the blog!!! Thanks so much for your comments. I just sent you a Facebook message telling you I woke to a sea of blooming Iris....it's really incredible. I'm looking forward to your visit later in the month (or sooner if you feel like it!)

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  10. Christy, I love your May 1st show! Gorgeous! Love the clematis, iris, and especially your stunning azaleas. You have beautiful gardens and I look forward to continuing my virtual visits all year long!

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    1. Hi Beth...Thank you so much for such nice comments! I really think the garden is outdoing itself this year! Maybe it's because spring came later this year, but whatever the reason, I'm a happy gardener. I'm looking forward to "talking" with you again soon!! Thanks for visiting.

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  11. Your garden is gorgeous...and i love your special hummer story.

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    1. Hi Donna....Thank you so much! The hummer encounter was so special and I've wondered if my "little guy" is out there this year. With so many critters out in the garden, I never know what exciting adventure awaits! So glad you stopped by for a visit!

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  12. Everything looks wonderful! All the work pays off when your eyes can feast on the garden in bloom! And the hummingbird picture and story - great!

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    1. Hi Beth....So glad you enjoyed the garden. There is so much blooming that it really is a feast for my eyes. Since I have my blog this year I was happy to be able to share my hummer story. I think anyone who loves wildlife will appreciate it....it was so special! Thank you for visiting!!

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    1. Thank you! This is the first time the reddish-purple ones have bloomed (they are fairly new) in that large bed. I have many other colors that are still buds! Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. WOW! What a show. I love all the pink, purple and blue blooms in your garden. The hummer story is SO amazing. Isn't nature fabulous?

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    1. Hi Steph...Yes, nature is fabulous and gives us so much enjoyment if we only take the time to look! The hummer encounter was so special and gave me such a special feeling of connection with nature. Thank you for your nice comments. I appreciate you stopping by!

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  15. This show is definitely worthy of an Oscar or a Tony! I can't believe how much has begun to bloom in your garden since I last visited, Christy; I love all the soft colors here. As much as I enjoyed the garden tour, I most enjoyed the story of the hummingbird--what a special moment!

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    1. Hi Rose....thank you SO much!! It makes me so happy when others like my garden! The hummer encounter was so special for me. It made me feel like the animals trusted me and knew I would never hurt them. I've noticed this year when I'm out in the garden, so many of the birds are going about their business even though I'm right by them...such a great feeling. The garden continues to burst into bloom everyday...I've got so much to show, so I'll post again soon. Thank you so much for visiting again!!

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  16. Oh, my goodness, Christy! Love your amazing garden, especially the Azaleas and all the different Iris! Also noticed your use of rocks to border the pathway in your garden! I love using rocks to landscape with!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! Now following you on Bloglovin'!
    Ann @ Cairn Cottage

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    1. Hi Ann...I'm so glad you stopped by and will be following my blog. I have you on my reading list, so I always check in when I see a new post. Thank you so much for your comments..I really appreciate them. We like to use the rocks because they are so easy to change (plus we get a good workout picking them up!
      :-p ) I've now decided to swap the mulch in the paths for small gravel. The mulch moves everytime it rains, so the gravel will be better. I also think it will look better. I have many more colors of Iris that will be blooming shortly, so I'll be doing another post soon. Thanks, again, for stopping by!

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  17. Christy,
    I'm Nadezda and I love your garden and especially azaleas. I'm waiting for my rhododendrons blooming.
    Nice clematis, love this light blue color!
    http://northern-garden.blogspot.com/

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    1. H Nadezda...I'm so glad you found my blog! Thanks so much for your nice comments. Dispite the fact that I never do anything to my Azaleas, they always put on a great show. I have two others in the garden, but they are fairly new and much smaller. I hope soon they'll have flowers too! I'm looking forward to seeing your Rhododendrons. I hope you visit again soon!

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  18. What an amazing encounter with the hummer! I once had a hummer buzz at me over and over, and I thought he was attacking me. I finally realized he must think I was a flower because I was wearing a bright floral blouse! Your garden is looking fabulous! I know it brings great joy to you and pleasure to all who see it. Thanks for the tip on the woodland phlox!

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    1. Hi Deb....thank you so much for your comments...I really appreciate your kind words. The hummer encounter was truly magical and I will never forget it. Too funny about your hummer and your blouse. He must have thought it was a smorgasbord! I'm glad you liked the tip about the Phlox. My friend gave me several small pieces while I was visiting her garden. I came home and planted them and they are all growing! I am really looking forward to trying this so that next spring I have more clumps! I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  19. Your garden just gets prettier and prettier Christy. The pink azalea is stunning. Blue Flax is a favourite; the cascading branches of blue flowers make me think of a waterfall. Your encounter with the hummingbird is certainly a memory to treasure. They are usually so shy that I can never get close.

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    1. Hi Jennifer...thank you so much!! Those Azaleas look wonderful every year and I never do a thing to them! I love the Blue Flax too...first because I love the color blue in the garden and second because it self-seeds. My hummer encounter was so wonderful and made me feel so good! I guess because I'm in the garden so much, many of the birds just go about their business and don't even care that I'm near them....it's really wonderful! Thank you for visiting!

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  20. Hi Christy... I wish our gardens were faring as well as yours! Our soil is very rich loam and we had a wet winter and lost a lot of things I'm afraid. You asked where we lived... we are in farm country between Oshkosh and Fond du Lac Wisconsin, just west of Lake Winnebago a few miles. A long drive I'm afraid. We love Tennessee as well, but haven't been there in a number of years. If you are ever in our area, do give us a call. I am going to attempt some weeding this afternoon while overseeing my wife as she plants roses for the first time in her life! It's a good thing she enjoys the gardens, having to basically keep up with both our work until I am well again... she's doing quite well so far, but with two regular jobs, it's difficult to find the time. Take care, Larry

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    1. Hi Larry...Darn, it would have been so wonderful to live closer and be able to visit your garden. It sounds like you are lucky like me...my hubby enjoys gardening and works in the garden on weekends when he's off from work. It's nice that your wife enjoys gardening too. I'm sure she will do great with the roses! Take care of yourself and keep us updated on your surgeries. I'm very glad you visited my post!

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  21. Your garden is looking wonderful, and you have some really lovely plant combinations going on. I'm still waiting for my azaleas to open, they really seem to be taking their time this year.

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    1. Hi Paula...thank you so much! It took my Azaleas a while to open (a couple still only have buds), but it was worth the wait. I bet yours will be beautiful when they open! My garden continues to go crazy, I guess from all the rain we're having. Thank you so much for visiting!

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  22. Wow Christy, your gardens are really waking up and looking great now! How exciting to have a hummer hope onto your finger! I have a small feeder attached to the window by my computer. When one of the little flying jewels lands on the feeder, I stop what I am doing and observe them. My cats enjoy their close up views as well. I have had Wrens, Chickadee and Nuthatches get pretty close to me but never land on me!

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    1. Hi Skeeter....Thanks so much! The hummer encounter was so special and I'll never forget it. Many of the birds are getting so used to me being out in the garden that they really don't seem to care that I'm real close to them. I really like that! So glad you came by!

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  23. It all so spectacular with everthing blooming at once. And the hummingbird how neat is that!!!

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    1. Hi tb...thanks so much! Since I took these pictures the garden has changed so much!!! The hummer encounter was so special! I was so happy that it's hard to explain what I felt. To think that the little hummer trusted me enough to sit on my finger was just awesome! I know I will never forget it! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  24. A hummer perched on your finger??? You are a goddess! Everything looks fabulous! :o)

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    1. I tell you the hummer encounter made me feel pretty darn special!!! I haven't had too many hummers this year...it seems like I'm getting fewer and fewer, kindof makes me worry about the little guys. Thanks for your wonderful comments and for taking time to visit my blog!!

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    Wish you happy gardening!

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    1. Hi Janneke! I'm so glad you found my blog! Thank you so much for your wonderful comments...I really appreciate them. I wish you happy gardening and hope you visit again soon!

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