First Rose.

5-20-13 SHORT HILLS: This afternoon is sunny after several dismal days and another 0.6 inches of rain. Everything in the yard seems happy with the rain. I did get out between showers and sprayed several patches of poison ivy with Roundup.

The poison ivy always appears in clumps under a tree of shrub. I think what happens is that birds eat the ivy seeds, and the next day or so, poop out the seeds while perched on a branch. Wait a year and there are ivy vines spreading under that perch. The spray works fairly well, but use it on a calm day so that it doesn’t blow onto something desirable.

New blooms: roses, weigela.


Painted Lady Butterfly, the common names are so whimsical.

Rose bud will open white, losing the yellow.