It’s hard to believe March is almost over. There are so many things happening around here so much earlier than usual, I decided to capture some images while I could. So here we go – starting with some of the many blooming things.
We planted these azaleas in 2010, and babied them through a drought that lasted much of the year. I am happy to say they all made it, and they are in full bloom right now, brightening up our shade garden behind the house.
azaleas blooming (click on any image to enlarge)
Last year Lynda planted some of her dwarf bearded irises in the bed by the driveway, where we can admire them as we are coming and going. It seems like every day a new one is popping up!
miniature irises
We think the burgundy red one is named Cherry Garden. There was a large planting of it out back when we bought this place. A previous owner was an iris fan too!
Dwarf iris Cherry Garden
I’m not sure what this purplish one is called, but it’s pretty! I am fond of the ones with blue and purple shades.
another dwarf iris
The pie cherry trees are blooming. Hopefully they will be loaded with red cherries soon!
blooms on pie cherry tree
Blueberries are blooming too. We’ll have to fight the birds for the blueberries when they start to ripen. This year I plan on trying bird netting again, this time over a framework of pvc pipe. That is what the nearby commercial grower does.
blueberry flowers
It looks like we have a Tufted Titmouse pair starting a nest in one of my older nest boxes. I saw them hanging around the box, and decided to open it up and check it out. The nest isn’t finished yet, but they are off to a good start. This box also has been home to bluebirds and tree swallows in the past. It’s great to see it being used this year.
beginnings of titmouse nest
I made quite a few of these boxes out of red cedar over the years, and they have stood the test of time.
homemade cedar nest box
I made this particular one in 1991. It looks like it might need a new roof job soon, but the flooring is still sound.
bottom of cedar nest box
Our old fashioned lilac bush is almost finished blooming. The sweet scent is lovely, and I get a whiff every time I walk out into the yard. My parents had one just like it when I was growing up, so the aroma really takes me back in time.
old fashioned lilac
And last but not least, the catmint is blooming. Usually it is one of the first plants to bloom around here, but not this year. Everything seems to be blooming all at once in 2012.
catmint
I hope you enjoyed the end of March tour of Happy Acres!
Wow, you guys are so far ahead of us! Things look great, those lilacs are making me want to come for a visit this weekend. I can never get enough of lilacs. I really like those dwarf irises, too, I may need to add some of those to Henbogle next year.
We have lots of titmice nesting here. I do love those cheeky little birds! Several years ago before our Golden Retriever, Fishy, died, a particularly bold titmouse was landing on him and pulling out tufts of his fur. It was astonishing. At first he would move and scare the bird off, but eventually he relaxed and the titmouse would grab big beakfuls of fur. We looked in the nest box and it was full of hair, so cute. Enjoy your lovely flowers!
We are both in zones 6b but your yard is ahead of mine. My blueberries aren’t blooming yet. And my neighbor’s lilac is not in bloom. Usually they bloom in May. Things are about 3-4 week ahead of time so I’m guessing maybe in two weeks.. This week we are getting much more seasonal weather. And next weeks looks the same.
I can’t believe how far ahead of us you are! We are supposed to be in the same zone. The lilacs usually bloom here around Mother’s Day. I think they will be a bit early this year though.
Our daylilies are really ahead of schedule this year. They are pretty tall already. It’s good and bad when things bloom early. I enjoy the early blooms….but, do not like it when they are finished way early.
lovely pics
I can’t believe how far ahead your garden is on blooms! Mine is not even close to it with lilacs and blueberries are just starting to open up leafs. Your irises are gorgeous!
Love the Iris! Our native Iris isn’t up yet, but we should see blooms in a couple of weeks. Our blueberries are blooming too, and I expect the robins are already scoping them out 😉 I don’t have a lilac, but my neighbor has a huge one. I’m amazed yours is almost done, as I don’t think hers has even started to bloom yet. I’ll have to look when I go by tomorrow, now I’m curious. Maybe I need to move to Indiana…you seem to have better weather than us!
Dave,
Thanks so much for the advice on the Tanglefoot sticky trap, I am familiar with that and have read about it in one of my gardening books! The house is one that my daughter made me at school many year ago and she painted the state of Indiana on the side! I am really enjoying watching the bluebirds fluttering around in my garden!
Thanks for your advice!
By the way, love your March tour of Happy Acres! What beautiful blooms, especially the Cherry and Blueberry blooms! I absolutely love the miniature iris’ I am an iris lover and have some in my garden, but I was not aware there was a miniature iris! Love that!
Happy Gardening!
Mindy
So that’s what blueberry flowers look like. I’ve bought three plants this year – its my first year growing them and hopefully I will be greeted with some flowers like those later in the year.
Loveliness!! Your flowers are perfect for my garden:) I’ve got to make a note to try bearded irises, plant a lilac bush, and maybe net my blueberries:) The catmint in my garden is blooming, too. It;s encouraging!