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!