The First Week Of May In The Garden

So we are having extremely unusual weather here in Oregon. Typically, May is in the mid-60's with a few 70-degree days thrown in.  With the usual rain.  The last four days have been in the 80's and the seven day forecast shows more of the same, with some mid-70's thrown in.  It's completely bizarre.  It's like July! 

That being said, things are blooming earlier than normal and other spring flowers, that normally last throughout the month, are getting fried.  But the good news is, I'm planting annuals already.  Yay!

So here's a trip through last week's blooms:

My first clematis flower!

My mom gave me a start of this one a couple years ago and this is the first time it has bloomed for me.

It's planted at the base of the metal arbor The Dad built.

I should have waited to take pictures 'cause today it's got four flowers open.

Next to it is a potted willow that my aunt had given me a start of.

Along the south side of the house has really filled in.

Still no clematis blooming over there yet, though.

The garden center at our local grocery store had hostas for $1.99 last week, so of course I had to add a couple new ones.

This rhody was here when I bought the house in 2001.  

He was about two feet tall then.

To the left of it is a fuchsia that was in a yard when I was house hunting.

My mom swiped a branch and got it started for me.

This is how the east bed is lookin' now.

That's the same geranium I had posted last week.

I divided it last year into three pieces.

One stayed the same color purple, this one is a bit different and the third is solid white.

?????

My sedums are all happy with the warmer weather.

You can almost watch them grow.

I had to throw him in 'cause he's so darn cute.

The palm is getting its weird buds.

Now, that, is an ugly flower.

I'll get some closeups this week.

The raspberries and strawberries are both blooming.

I have them in pots.

The Jacob's Ladder is thrilled to have not been beat to heck by rain.

And I am too.

My new Burning Bush is blooming.

How cute are these flowers?!

The Kenilworth Ivy is all over the stinkin' place.

It's so cute, though, I let it go in most places.

The artichoke has gone CRAZY!

It's planted out front in the parking strip.

These pics are from last week, so today when I was out checking, there are two ready to eat!

I'm gonna fix 'em with dinner tonight.

Mmmmmm.

The Snowball Viburnum is officially in full bloom.

As is the weigela, although, it isn't puttin' on much of a show this year.

I whacked it pretty severely last fall, 'cause it had gotten way too big, so next year should be better.

I don't know why I can never remember the name of this next one.

I've written it down, pinned it, you name it.

Must be a mental block.

I got this little guy on the clearance rack at Home Depot last year, and was happy to see he made it.

All the lilies are up.

And the feverfew that appears out of nowhere.

The Sandwort (Arenaria) outside the front fence is blooming solid now.

I've had this yellow columbine for several years.

I think I might need to move him into more sun, 'cause he never really blooms good.

And finally, a bulb that I have no clue what it is.

Or where it came from.

But it's really pretty.

It only lasted a few days in the heat, though.

I think that's it for now, kids.

But with this sunshine, it won't be long before I'm out with the camera again.

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