Sunday, May 15, 2011

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - May 2011

There's no shortage of colorful blooms in our garden on this May Bloom Day.
Since most or the color is provided by glorious tulips that's what I'm going to concentrate on, and later, in another post, I'll show what else is blooming.


Most of these photos were taken on Wednesday and Thursday of this week when I was lucky enough to have a couple of days off work and the sun was actually shining! We've had lots of rainy, cloudy days and rain is pouring down again tonight. I'm glad I didn't wait until today to take photos for Bloom Day.


Here are the same tulips as the above photo, but from a different angle.


A long shot of that garden and the one behind with blue Grape Hyacinths. Click for a closer view.


Looking down toward the road - the same 2 gardens as above, plus the Lily Garden.

Do you notice that we have new neighbors? They're a young Amish couple - one of many who have recently moved to our area. That's their barn.
It's quite difficult to get good shots with unobstructed views of our beautiful surroundings these days. Nevertheless, we're enjoying having them as neighbors, getting to know them, and learning about their lifestyle. Posted by Picasa


This was the view beyond the Top Lilac Garden last Wednesday....


And yesterday, Saturday afternoon, it looked like this! Another young Amish couple had a house raising just down the road. Those 'ants' you see on the roof are 13 young Amish men. They can certainly finish a job in a short time.
We have another family with about 10 (or more) children just a short walk the other way up the road.


I have to be innovative with the camera if I want shots without buildings.
The crab apple trees should be blooming very soon.


Van Eijk tulips backlit by morning sun.


The Driveway Garden

Pink Impression and Purple Flag Posted by Picasa

Lovely deep red passalongs, so no name, and a few daffs just finishing.
I plan to post photos of the daffodils in a later post. They were absolutely spectacular, but the days have been too busy to blog while they were putting on their wonderful show.


Ah, there's a view with lovely afternoon light and no buildings! Posted by Picasa


Just to the left of center in the background the house of our new neighbors to the north is almost hidden by the Weigela. 


A purple and white mix of Triumph tulips.


Angelique

The Driveway and Lilac gardens. Posted by Picasa


Hannah loves a good photo shoot. Here she is in the Lily Garden.


These yellow and orange beauties are Daydream.
I don't know the name of the reds.


I'm guessing the purples are Passionale.


This gorgeous pink has no name. Posted by Picasa


Oh, there's Hannah again - surveying her domain!


Blue Heron with their fringed petals


and dark throats.

That afternoon light is breathtaking!
I love the way it lights the burgundy Heuchera in the foreground. Posted by Picasa


Dynasty


Red Emporer with Grape Hyacinths by the steps.


Purple Flag and Pink Impression


This is the morning view outside our back door....when the sun shines :) Posted by Picasa

Carol of May Dreams Gardens is our gracious host for Bloom Day. If you visit her website you'll see a very long list of bloggers offering their May blooms for your perusal and enjoyment.

Happy May Bloom Day everyone!

26 comments:

BernieH said...[Reply]

I have so enjoyed a tip-toe through your tulips. Of course, they're something that wouldn't grow here, but I do appreciate their beauty. You have a great collection ... I just adore that patch of purple and white tulips and those with the fringed petals.

It must be so interesting watching the Amish build their houses around you ... and getting to know them. They would have a totally different take on life.

Great photos again! Hope that sun keeps on shining.

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

Gorgeous tulip display Kerri. It sounds like you are beginning to get the feel of living in the suburbs. I have a terrible time trying to picture something without a building in the background or wires. At least the buildings around you are far away. How interesting to have Amish as neighbors. Soon we will see photos of horses pulling carriages. :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Am I imagining it, or do you have even more tulip varieties than last year?

I especially love Angelique and Blue Heron, and the way you photographed Day Dream.

That Hannah makes me laugh. She sure likes being a cat model.

Tabor said...[Reply]

I do not think I have seen so many tulips on one yard. Do they come up each spring or are you planting new ones each fall?

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

So your past winter weather was just what tulips want? You always have a beautiful garden, Kerri - but this is over-the-top for you! It's impossible to choose a favorite.

Probably the Amish barns will look interesting & picturesque in your wide photos, unlike the parked cars, mailboxes, trash cans, open garage doors, air-conditioning units, or thousand-dollar driveway basketball hoop systems we more urban gardeners have to shoot around. But did anyone else flash back to Harrison Ford in Witness?

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

HORIZON said...[Reply]

Happy belated Bloom Day to you Kerri- thanks for the lovely photos as usual. The tulips are stunning- you've been busy planting those bulbs over the years :)
I think it is so hard to capture the light sometimes with a camera and when you need to use a flash it over compensates but your photos are always lovely.
I love the pic of the Amish busy building- have only seen this in the films. If l were to pick my neighbours l think l'd be quite pleased with these Amish folk. Take care Kerri and hope your husband is recovering well.
bests

F Cameron said...[Reply]

Hannah is so cute! I once had an Arabian filly that I named "Cat Hannah." Your Hannah is a real cat! :-)

The tulips are lovely and I must say that I'm always stunned by the seasonal differences between here and there.

Hope your weather isn't as rainy. We've had almost daily rain here, too.

sweetbay said...[Reply]

Your tulips are indeed glorious! So many beautiful garden scenes...

joey said...[Reply]

All looks grand, Kerri. Blogging friends for years, I so love to visit your garden, so beautiful and different from mine. I'd say we are both blessed, dear friend!

*Ulrike* said...[Reply]

I love tulips although ours have been long gone; it was a delight to the eyes to see all of yours that are just so beautiful!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Oh Kerri, you sure wouldn't like it here in suburbia, neighbors and buildings everywhere you look! I get frustrated trying to take pretty pictures because there are always other people's houses in the background. Your tulips are fabulous, especially Blue Heron. I may have to find that one for myself!

Alice said...[Reply]

Your very own Floriade, and now you've shared it so beautifully with us. I can imagine your frustration at not being able to get long shots without buildings intruding, but really pleased that you are enjoying your new neighbours.

Your tulips are so brilliantly vivid against the lushness of your lawns and the muted colours of the trees beyond.

I hope you get some warm sunny weather soon and some free days to enjoy it all. We are really into winter now with several frosts already. Most of the autumn leaves have fallen - everywhere!

Looking forward to a few weeks of keeping warm in the house and enjoying the delights in your garden, Kerri.

sonia a. mascaro said...[Reply]

Wow! Your garden is always GORGEOUS!
Have a pleasant weekend.

verobirdie said...[Reply]

Thank you Kerri for the tulip fix. I could never have enough. I love the Blue Heron one.

em said...[Reply]

those tulips just glow! my fav is the van eijk - such a contrast with the grass. you must be very clever, because i don't see too many buildings in your photos! i also love the photo with the house raising in the background! are people selling their farms? why the amish influx? hope you and family are well!

Barbara said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri your tulip "show" is amazing! Such a great variety and such an amount, a real feast for the eyes! Just beautiful!I guess you are glad that you have got some more neighbours now. It's certainly interesting to get into touch with amish people and learn about their way of life.
We already have summer here (though not officially) and a great lack of rain (bad for all the farmers here).
Wishing you still many lovely Spring days!
Love from Barbara

Kevin said...[Reply]

wow bloom day

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

Your gardens are just beautiful, Kerrie. It must be such a welcome sight after the long and harsh winter you experienced. The tulips add such a delightful color to your gardens. Everything is looking so green and lush.

I grew up with Amish neighbors all around us. I am sure you will enjoy knowing them and learning about their way of life. It is very interesting.

Kathleen said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri!
After looking at all your beautiful tulips I think I need to add a LOT more! You have so many and they are all a joy to see. The countryside and your garden are all looking so green ~ isn't that a welcome sight? After the long winter, it's very refreshing.
I would be torn up about having all the new buildings after unobstructed views for so long but at least your Amish neighbors won't be noisy! Why is it suddenly developing ~ did a landowner recently sell a big parcel of land? I agree with Annie in Austin tho ~ it will be better to look at then what most of us endure.
Happy Spring to you Kerri and thank you for all your thoughtful comments. I always enjoy reading them.

Judy Birmingham (Seeing Anew Blog) said...[Reply]

Hi, Kerri, it's been such a long time since I've looked at anyone's photoblog (including my own even), and it was a delight to see all your tulips. What a beautiful spring you have had! I was quite interested to read about your new Amish neighbors, and your photos of their house-raising were fascinating! Our part of Ohio also has a large Amish settlement, at one time, the largest in the US. There are not so many immediately around us now, but not long ago, we would occasionally hear the clip clop of their horse and buggies going down the road. I miss that sound! Do you see their buggies coming and going now? I hope you and Ross are doing well.

Elzie said...[Reply]

So beautiful with all the tulips. And the cat watching over it all. Hope you have a lovely day.
Love Elzie

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

Your flowers are gorgeous!!! I especially love the Angelique Tulip. It just opens to the sun looking up so strong and happy.
The way the sun is shining through the lovely colors is awesome.
I tried to take a picture of my well blossomed strawberry patch but the blossoms just looked like leaves with sun shining on them. One day I will post some of my flowers too. You are such an inspiration to me Kerri. Thank you.
Oh yes, I was wondering, do you use cow manure on your flowers?

LindaD said...[Reply]

Oh Kerri,
What a glorious yard you have - I couldn't help but think the hours of love and work that go into such a delight to the senses. Change is difficult sometimes - especially when it changes something that's such a part of your 'frame' - like unobstructed scenery. What struck me was how absolutely delighted they must be to be YOUR neighbor - Its been a long time since I've taken time to visit others 'gardens' - So happy to find you still here - with photos that just defy description.
With love and wishes for the most bug free, color filled, long lasting gardens evver
Linda in Florida

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

You haven't posted in a while. I pray all is well.

Terri said...[Reply]

Everything O.K. there, Kerri?
How's your garden doing now?

cherry said...[Reply]

Missing you hope all is well..
hugs from Savannah, Cherry