Spring Edges Toward Summer.

6-6-18 SHORT HILLS: Things have been wet in NJ, we’ve had 2.5 inches in the past two weeks, and nothing looks thirsty. It has also been cool and cloudy for the few days we’ve been here. The yard is fully leafed out, and the neighbors have disappeared behind the foliage walls, even road noise is muted. This yard becomes very shady when the trees are all out, but not quite as shady as it used to be because we’ve lost several trees.

There’s plenty to do. Yesterday I pruned enough for a full load to go to the dump. I also pulled up three dead butterfly bushes and one dead crape myrtle. I have had no butterfly bushes survive a challenging winter intact, I’m 0 for 7.

New blooms: purple rhododendron, English holly, Asian holly, mock orange, linden viburnum, rose, Stewartia, Japanese snowball, kousa dogwood, privet, clematis.


Rose, one of my many favs.

Stewartia, a variety of camellia, but not evergreen. Every flower has one petal with a red spot.

Stewartia is a tree of moderate size.

The front part of  our garden is now in full shade. Everything here blooms, now privet and viburnums are on stage. That robin is about to use the leaning birdbath.

Clematis, one of two in this spot.