Wildflowers of May and June

For quite some time I've been planning a series of posts on wildflowers, and have finally begun to get some of the photos together that I took during the spring and summer of last year. Usually in early June the road crews mow the edges of the roadways, and in so doing cut down all the wildflowers that brighten the roadsides. Due to an extremely rainy season, this job didn't get done, and the vast numbers of wildflowers were amazing to see.

I carried my camera with me whenever I went out....driving or walking. Sometimes it took me a little longer to drive back and forth to a destination....but what an enjoyable way to pass the time.

I must begin with dandelions, as they seem to be the first cheery bright colors we see...all over our yard, filling our lawn with a sea of yellow. Isn't it amazing how quickly they pop back up whenever you mow over them with a lawnmower? They have real staying power :)

This is the field across the road, which of course, is full of dandelions in early May when these 2 photos were taken.

These violets were in among the tulips. They grow in the lawn too, where they're not supposed to.

I left a few buttercups in with the Johnny Jump Ups that popped up in early spring. I love their shiny yellow faces.

This Ragged Robin (Lychnis Flos) is one of my favorites. I love its color and form.

Whispy and delicate....a dainty masterpiece.

Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) grows in large patches of green beside the roads and into the woods. It looks like the tall summer phlox but has 4 petals instead of 5 like phlox. It belongs to the mustard family.

I've found it in our yard beside the woodpile and moved it here and there. It blooms with the buttercups and wild columbine.

It comes in pretty pastel shades of white, lavender....

....and pink.

These Harebells (campanula rotundifolia) cover a roadside bank on the way to a nearby village, and several years ago I took my trowel and brought a few home for my garden. Now I have plenty!

The Oxeye Daisies (chrysanthemum leucanthemum) are one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom. It's hard to resist picking a bunch and adding a few buttercups, to bring inside and put in a vase to brighten up my kitchen.

During school vacation my dear young friend and neighbor, Sandy, and I walked almost every morning. Of course, there were glorious wildflowers along the roadsides to notice and wonder about, so I began carrying my camera in my pocket. The first day we probably didn't get our regular exercise because we stopped so often, but I tried to use a little restraint after that. Sandy is a very patient girl....and I'm pleased to note that she was soon pointing out flowers that I hadn't yet photographed.

Whenever we see each other lately she says, "Where are all those wildflower photos you took? I'm waiting to see them on your blog!"

So here they are....finally....especially for you Sandy.

There are probably a couple of hundred photos stored on my computer from those walks, just waiting for me to choose a small portion of them to post.

I'm working on it, slowly but surely!

We're hoping to go to our youngest grandson's 3rd birthday party this weekend, but the weather forecast is for several inches of snow tomorrow, along with strong winds. That's not a good combination for driving. We may have to wait and go Saturday. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I have a feeling the weatherman has got it right this time.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!