Clematis and Penstemon Time

It seems we are going from a couple weeks of spring right into summer.  The highs this week are supposed to be in the 80s, and going up a few degrees each day.  I have been picking lettuce, and need to pick more before the heat turns it bitter.  I picked all my spinach that was left today, and made some soup with it and some garlic I thinned yesterday, and a few other veggies, some salsa, and fresh cilantro from the garden.  

I spent a lot of time gardening, but I also went to a local antique store to see if I could find something to use for hose guides, and possibly an obelisk.  There was an obelisk, but it wasn't old, and for the price it was, I would rather spend a little more and get the one I am waiting to go on sale at a local garden center.  I also went to a farm store to get some alfalfa meal to mulch the last tomato plants I put in, but they were out.  This evening, I spent some time pulling grass out of the front yard.  When it was almost dark, I decided to take some photos for Jean's Bloomin' Tuesday.  I tried to only include photos of blooms I haven't shown yet, but may have some repeats.

I started in the back yard.  There are several kinds of clematis growing on the deck.  There are only two blooming, but the others have lots of buds.

Oh, I have to correct myself, this one on the other side of the deck has one bloom open.

The butter and eggs blooms are opening.  I'm starting to see some coming up in the vegetable garden.  I imagine they came up from seeds.  I grow these in a tub to prevent them from taking up too much space, as they are quite spready.  So far, I am willing to pull baby plants out, but if there start being too many, I'll have to decide if it's worth it.  I suppose I could try deadheading them before they go to seed, and not put them on the compost pile.
 

This clematis is on the fence by the vegetable garden.

The penstemons have started to bloom.  I don't remember what kind this is.

'Husker Red':

Veronica (I think), rue, and not coming to my mind right now:

Penstemon:

Forget me not:

Yarrow and catmint:

These are the first 'Spooky' dianthuses to bloom, except for the new perennial that is called something else, but I think it still a 'Spooky".

A fancy new coreopsis:

Jupiter's Beard, salvia 'Caradona', and the mystery rose, which is several inches taller than last year, and loaded with blooms.

Another penstemon:

A few years ago, I planted a 'Kim's Knee High' coneflower next to a purple blooming one that used to be a white blooming one when I first planted it.  There were lots of baby plants last year, and I wasn't sure whose they were.  Well, there is at least some Kim's Knee High in this cute little plant.  It's only a couple feet or so tall.
 

The blooms on this clematis are larger than in the last few years. 

Tomorrow, I need to get some more potting soil and hope to pot up the rest of my tubs.  I am sticking with my plan to not plant as many.  I hope you are getting to spend time in your gardens.

Baby Grackle?, Some Blooms

I saw this young bird, which was bigger than a sparrow the other day.  There were adult grackles flying around, and when I looked at images of baby grackles, they did look like this little critter.  Am I right about what it is?

It looked right at me, but I don't think it could fly.

It looked like it was asking for a meal.

We've had so much rain, the peonies got droopy, even though they have supports.  I went out today, and cut off the finished one.

This is the plant on the far end, there is only one bloom on it.

I went out right after a rain today to take some photos for a new background.  The bachelor buttons are starting to bloom in the vegetable garden.  I moved some to the front yard.  I hope they bloom, too.
 

This iris clump is different from the others I have.  I'm not sure what kind it is, but it sure is pretty!

The first of the foxgloves is blooming.

This is the photo (blue bush clematis) I chose for the background, but I may change it, because it doesn't show up well.

I almost chose this one of wet geraniums.

I finally got some pots planted up a couple days ago.  I am not doing as many this year.  I have a larger planting space in the front, and want to spend less time watering pots when it's hot and dry out.  I think this is my favorite so far.
 

Have a nice Memorial Day.  I am now off of work until August 13, or something like that.  I hope to get lots of gardening and housework done, and catching up with my blog reading.

Wildflower Wednesday

I went out in the rain after work to take some photos of what I think are wildflowers that mingle nicely with the other plants in my corner garden.  Gail, from Clay and Limestone hosts Wildflower Wednesday the 4th Wednesday of the month.

Wild Columbine:

Pasque Flower Seedhead:

Three Kinds of Spiderworts:

Virginia Waterleaf:

Amsonia Hubrichtii:

Amsonia Tabernaemontana and False Baptisia:

Butter and Eggs:

Oxeye Daisy (with kale blooms):

Showy Milkweed:

Celandine Poppy:

 Purple Milkweed:

Money Plant:

Meadow Rue:

Common Milkweed with a Growing Monarch Caterpilar:

Dame's Rocket from a Few Days ago:

Orange Hawkweed from a Few Days Ago:

After reading Gail's post, I found out this plant growing in the crack between the wood beams and sidewalk is also a wildflower.  It somehow traveled from the patch across the sidewalk.  I had to laugh when I read what Gail said about it colonizing.

I have been trying to decide if I am going to move some of these pink primroses to the new planting area.  I just don't want them to take over.  Like Gail, though, I'm not afraid to pull some out if they spread too far.

Well, I have an hour and a half left in the evening to do some blog visiting.  First, I'll go link in with Gail.  Check out her list of others who have done Wildflower Wednesday posts.