Mid-May.

5-9-24 SHORT HILLS: It was in the mid-eighties yesterday, but today it’s 68° and I’m in a jacket. Tomorrow is predicted to be rainy and in the fifties. 

Those tree seedlings I planted a few weeks ago are in trouble. The red oak that had leaves has been eaten to the ground by deer, and the other one has not opened up. Ten minutes worth of work for nothing. 

Both the peony and tree peony each have several buds on the verge of opening. The Itoh peony has put out a lot of foliage but no flower buds. This is its second year, so it gets a pass on not flowering.

The southern magnolia has dozens of flower buds just starting. The bird house has white spirea opening and lilac just starting. It might be gorgeous next week. 

New blooms: lilac, honeysuckle bush, red spirea.

First lilac cluster to open, the rest will quickly follow.

Wood hyacinth. The leaves have all been eaten by deer before the flowers appeared.

The bird house has lilac in back and white spirea in front might look great next week. The house wren is probably using the house, but I haven't seen her yet this year. She is very furtive.