Peony in Bloom

Pretty pink peonies are blooming on the north side of the house this week.

An Unknown Garden Volunteer

I have no idea what this is...except that it's pretty!

Another Iris Blooms

First, the dark purple ones bloomed, now the light purple ones are putting on a show.

First Mini-Rose Bloom

The first mini-rose blooms of the season. These may be small flowers, but they have a very strong and sweet scent.

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Another newbie to the backyard. This is a black-headed grosbeak, I think. If you know different, let me know, today is the first time I've ever seen one.

Purple Rose

One of my favorite roses and I have no idea the official "name." I found the little rose bush in a bargain bin a couple of years ago. The scent is wowza!

Flowers...or Weeds?

How about "flower weeds?" These persistent buggers have been in our yard since we moved in. They pop up mostly in the strawberry patch. I believe they're a type of bachelor's button. At least they're pretty.

Visiting Feline

This is the neighbor's cat enjoying some umbrella shade in our backyard. He also likes to nap in the princess cabana.

Columbine

A columbine in bloom in the strawberry patch. How did it get here? It volunteered. There are several of them in pinks and purples. They put on a great spring show.

Jupiter's Beard

Jupiter's beard growing in a barren corner, which is a great place for this plant. It doesn't need any attention, except to make sure it doesn't get invasive because it can spread. Bees love it and it has a pleasant, light fragrance. It's a good cutting flower, too. It's long-blooming and once the plant starts getting really leggy, I cut it to the ground and it blooms a second time.

Female Yellow-Headed Blackbird

Here's a female yellow-headed blackbird. Her coloring is not as bright and solid as the male, but she is just as greedy at the bird feeders. Twenty pounds of bird seed in a week and blackbirds of all sorts ate most of it. I hope they move along soon!

First Iris

The first iris to bloom this year. I never know what's going to show up. Some are purple, some are reddish-purple, I've seen peach, and sometimes, we get yellow ones.

Soapwort

The soapwort is starting to bloom. It gets its name because it can be used as a cleanser. Boil the leaves and stalks in water. It will foam a little that way, or use the reduced liquid in a foam pump bottle. Although I've read about this herb being a soap substitute, I've never used it. I like this plant because it thrives on poor soils and neglect - two things that are "plentiful" in my yard.

Peonies Getting Ready to Bloom

A couple of weeks ago, they were just starting to peek out of the ground and now they're getting ready to bloom. This is a peony.

Forget-Me-Nots

I thought these were annuals, so they're a nice surprise in the shady front foundation plantings. Rainy, stormy weather continues and these forget-me-nots obviously like it.

Say Hello to Snow Peas

The snow peas have come to life. They'll grow quickly in the cool weather and don't even mind some frost. Harvest time is usually early June. The vines will wilt when with prolonged heat. My daughter was in charge of planting these. I have no idea how many plants there will be. I hope a lot! Snow peas are easy to freeze.

Wisteria Buds

Wisteria buds. The vines should be in full bloom in about two weeks. What I remember from my trip to England last year at this same time of year was that the wisteria there was in full bloom, and when I returned home, mine was just starting to bloom.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Well, who have we here? This is not one of the regular squirrel customers at this bird feeder. This is an eastern gray squirrel - first time I've seen one in my yard.