Monday, June 15, 2009

It was such a spring day as breathes into a man an ineffable yearning,

a painful sweetness, a longing that makes him stand motionless, looking at the leaves or grass, and fling out his arms to embrace he knows not what.



More peony photos. I'm soaking up the essence of peony like plants soak up the rain. All too soon they will be gone for another year.


These are all Shirley Temple. It's amazing how much they've grown in two years. Each bush must have at least twenty huge blooms.



This is double greater celandine (not a celandine poppy which is similar). It is just finishing up a month of bloom. Considered invasive in some areas of the US it was introduced from Europe in the 1600's by settlers.


The Siberian iris have performed wonderfully this spring. They increase rapidly if given lose, organic soil. I have three huge patches that needed to be divided in early April. Unfortunately that didn't get done and they are becoming a serious threat to their neighbors. Usually they have a brief bloom period but this year the cool weather has kept them fresh for almost a month. Very unusual.





I enjoy heucheras although I don't have a big collection. This one was sold as Stormy Seas. So many look exactly like this one but have different names.




Wildlife Rumors by Miss B

Well, we have another scandal brewing in our little community. It has recently been discovered that Mr Wren is leading a double life. What does that mean, you ask. Well, he has two homes, two wives, and two families.

Each wife claims not to know about the other but they can clearly see both homes from their own front doors.

In this photo he sits upon a shepherds crook an equal distance from each home and serenades his families. He seems to be totally unconcerned about criticism being whispered behind his back.



"Who is helping to care for all those children?" Mrs Chickadee is quoted as saying. "He just sits around and sings all day."

Other resident birds are scandalized. They are all monogamous until the fall comes at which time they dump the old spouse and head for good times somewhere south.

"He is a very bad example for us all and especially his sons." Mrs Cardinal confided to me.

I will be back with late breaking news as it occurs. You know you can count on me, Miss B, to have the best gossip anywhere.

39 comments:

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Marnie, it's true you have to enjoy the peonies fast & furious because they're gone again so soon. And, Miss B, maybe that's what Mr Wren was doing, too (fast and furious amore!) ;-) I love Miss B's rumors, by the way.

tina said...

Your irises are incredible. The perfect combination with peonies. I don't blame you for soaking it all up while here. Lovely.

Miss B, now don't mind Mr. Wren, he is simply doing his part in the grand scheme of nature to procreate and make more little wrens. It is okay, the babies will be fine and tell all the other birds not to mind his doings, shocking as they may be!

Q said...

The peonies this year were fantastic in my yard too. They are my husband's favorite flower.
I have one bush that is very fragrant.
My little Wren only has one nest to look after. He was busy tho with four young ones to help feed.
Lovely Wren photo!
Sherry

Rose said...

Not having any peonies here, I am enjoying yours vicariously through these photos, Marnie. I agree their blossoms are one of the most beautiful flowers there are; I just wish they bloomed longer! Your Siberian iris are gorgeous, too; hopefully, I won't have to enjoy those vicariously next spring--the ones you gave me are settling in nicely.

Ms. B, this is shocking news indeed. I guess not all birds are as morally upright as my beloved cardinals.

Anonymous said...

I wish the Peonies would last longer, but we can enjoy them again next spring. :) It's nice that your cooler temps have kept everything blooming a bit longer.

F Cameron said...

Marnie, your peonies are so delicate and pretty. I still haven't tried them, even though they are deer resistant. It is the Japanese Beetle invasion (currently underway) that gives me concern.

Miss B, you are such a sly reporter of gossip! I hope you'll keep reporting about the "wild" life in your garden.

Cameron

JC said...

Again, glorious photos and Purrfect Gossip ...

Phillip Oliver said...

Enjoyed the photos and the wren story. Siberian iris and peonies are two of my favorite plants.

Randy said...

Marnie,
Those Siberian Iris are just gorgeous! I understand about crowding out the neighbors, but what an impact they make. --Randy

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I must say seeing your peonies make me want to plant more. They are gorgeous.

I can also say that the same screnario is playing out in our garden with the House Wrens as is going on in your garden. These House Wrens don't care about who knows either.

We had 6 chicks fledge yesterday. It was the first time I could sit and watch them. It was amazing to watch all of them emerge and take off. I hope they live. We have seen a couple of them again.

Jan said...

It must be gorgeous in your yard--to see iris' bloom for almost a month is indeed a treat! I can hardly believe you still are enjoying your peonies--ours are long gone now;-( The strong rains we had earlier surely made them fall down and die off much sooner than they might have otherwise.
I love Ms B's little gossip column. I'll be back for more, certainly!

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie......the peonies are beautiful. May I ask you what position do they like in the garden? Also what soil do you have? The blooms are just so exquisite......I shall be adding peonies to my garden......

I love the bird post......what an amazing cat you have!!!!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Monica, yes B spends way too much time tattling on the birds.

Hi Tina, those wrens work all day searching for bugs in the garden. That's a good thing. I should plant the iris closer to the peonies. That would be a pretty pairing.

Hi Q, usually my wrens only have one family. This year I had so many bird house up they went a little crazy trying to use them all.

Hi Rose, your Siberians should bloom next spring. I have smaller patches that bloom. The seed heads are nice too.

Marnie

Roses and Lilacs said...

Cameron, the Japanese beetles are the worst curse in my garden. The peonies bloom a month in advance of their invasion. Also the JB's don't bother the peony foliage like they do the roses.

Thanks JC.

Hi Philip, my favorites too. I'd like to add the butter and eggs Siberians sometime in the future.

Hi Randy, I like the Siberian foliage too. Always upright and never bothered by insects.

Hi Lisa, I'll bet your wrens are busy getting ready for their second brood right now. It's amazing they aren't as plentiful as flies.

Hi Jan, the peonies did slump a little after the all night rain we had Saturday. They are all caged so they don't end up in the mud.

Hi Cheryl, peonies like full sun but will tolerate some shade. I have heavy clay soil but they do well in my father's sandy loam. Once they are established, they are pretty tough. The thing you have to remember is to plant them with the eyes above the soil or they won't bloom.

Marnie

Cordwood Cabin said...

Love the "wildlife" scandal! Can't wait to read what happens next in the seemingly-peaceful wildlife "suburbs". Your flowers are beautiful -- our biggest blossoms this year were roses, wiped out early by the Great Landscaping Scheme that required them to be moved (fortunately, they seem to be adapting well). As regards Lincoln and Memorial Day, I can't recall if he played any part in the founding beyond his own solemn recognition of the Civil War dead of both sides, which is why we included him in the "Memorial Day Salute" photo-op with Sam.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Cordwood, B spends way too much time looking at the birds out the window screen. According to her, it's a regular Peyton Place out there.
Marnie

sweetbay said...

Those Siberian Iris look magnificent. And I love the shading of colors in the peonies.

Mr. Wren sounds like a real juggler.

Chloe m said...

Pretty Irises! Thanks for stopping by my blog and the condolences about the hail! Yes, Hollyhocks were shredded, I am rethinking growing those.
Your bird photos are always so vibrant!

Naturegirl said...

Marnie: Your white peonies are heavenly!
I am a frill kind of girl...I adore them...Two of mine are in bloom and one yet to!! I am out every morning admiring their stardom!! I have cut oodles and brought them inside and still have so many more! It was a good year for sure!
Tsk tsk Mr. Wren... I think this is going on in my own back yard!!!!

Susie said...

Oh that Shirley Temple is just gorgeous Marnie! All your blooms look so beautiful and healthy. The heat is getting to some of mine down here pretty bad.

BeadedTail said...

The peonies are so pretty and I've never seen those Siberian irises but they are beautiful too. Miss B is sure getting good at uncovering scandel!

Kathleen said...

That last birdhouse is incredible Marnie. I love all the whimsical touches. Maybe Mr. Wren couldn't help himself from having two families when he had so many choice homes to pick from! I like wrens so it's okay with me if they procreate a LOT! :-)

Good for you soaking up the peonies. I'm doing that too. I would say mine are in full bloom right now but I see lots of buds still to come on yours. Shirley Temple is really beautiful as are the iris. If I was your neighbor, I'd volunteer to help divide in hopes of getting some!

btw, I ordered my Allium Schubertii bulbs from John Scheepers ~ their catalog has them hardy from zones 5-8. Aren't you in zone 5?? I did plant mine in the ground last fall and they overwintered fine so I'm thinking they would for you too??? Maybe I'm guessing your zone wrong?

joey said...

Always a joy to visit your busy community, Marnie ... lots going on behind the scenes! Your photos, as always, lovely ... for some reason, my Siberian iris fizzled out this year ... and my bearded irises let me down, big time :(

Judy said...

Those peonies are marvellous!! But that almost goes without saying, when you are talking about peonies. Thanks for the info about the Siberian irises. Mine have faded down to the one plant, but I dug that whole garden last fall, so the soil is now all nice and loose. Maybe I will have more next year.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi SweetBay, yes the wren doesn't want to give up his playboy lifestyle;)

Hi NatureGirl, I have a vase full of peonies on my desk and the entire room smells wonderful.

Rosey, I love hollyhocks but can't grow them here. The Japanese beetles destroy the blooms while some other beetle is skeletonizing the foliage.

Susie, our heat is coming and then my garden begins to suffer too. Especially if we don't get any rain.

Marnie

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi BeadedTail, Miss B sits in front of the window all day and watches the goings-on outside. Just between you and me she may exaggerate a little;)

Kathleen, I'll check Scheepers site about the allium Schubertii. Yes, I'm in zone 4b/5a. I thought maybe you dug your bulbs in the fall. Shirley is still blooming with some buds yet to bloom. I really amended that soil heavily before planting and it paid off.

Hi Joey, several of my tall bearded iris fell over in all the rain we've had. Nothing worse that iris laying on the ground. Who has the time to stake up every scape?

Hi Judy, I wonder why they aren't doing well. Mine are rampant and self seeding in every crack and crevice;)

Marnie

Dog_geek said...

*gasp*! Mr. Wren's double life - what a scandal! Beautiful flower pictures, as always! I can't wait to see what is blooming at your house next!

A Wild Thing said...

I think the Baltic iris are my faves. I had a surprise yesterday when one popped up far away from it's original bed...it's bright yellow head stood out among the purple iris and was a welcome newcomer...I love surprises like that!

I have so many wrens this year, I think all my houses are filled and it's a symphony all day long in my yard...try to stay dry for the next few...just hope we don't get severe ones!

G'day...
sharon

troutbirder said...

Scandalous just scandalous. I am really taken aback!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi DogGeek, and right in my backyard, how embarrassing.

Hi Sharon, I'm not familiar with Baltic iris. They must be like Siberians. I thought your yellow one was a Siberian--Butter and Sugar. Supposed to start raining today and rain all week thru Friday. The Amazon rainforest has nothing on us;)

Hi Troutbirder, you didn't think stuff like that went on in the boring midwest, did you.

Marnie

Cheryl said...

Thank you Marnie for the info re:peonies, I am grateful to you...did not know about the eye......

Gail said...

Marnie, This is so much better then a soap opera! I mean these birds are real...thanks for the smiles today!

and your blooms are fantastic...I love how they pop off the red page. Shirley Temple is a beautiful peony!

gail

CIELO said...

I only wish my peonies will look as pretty as yours one day, this is their 2nd year and they don't lok too promising yet... ;)

so good to see you, my friend...

cielo

Gayle@Mountain Moma said...

I get so excited when the peony's bloom! They make the loveliest bouquets. Mine are limping along, I am not sure the problem, I should probably move them for better luck next year.

oldcrow61 said...

The flowers are gorgeous and the story about Mr. Wren is a riot, lol.

Pat said...

Your garden and photos take my breath away. Just perfect.
The bird houses are pretty cool...really like them.

The Birdlady said...

The flowers are incredible! Maybe Mr Wren was just intoxicated from the peony fragrance.

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

That Miss B. really knows how to dish up the dirt. :0 ~~Dee

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I love your peonies! Mine didn't have a long bloom time. It rained a lot and was quite windy. I didn't get them caged or staked, either, poor things!

Miss B, I hope the birds in your neighborhood are behaving themselves these days!