Plethora of Pictures

Early May is truly wonderful in Minnesota--few bugs, low humidity, and lots of interesting things in the garden. Yet May also seems to be the busiest month in my life. I've been behind on the blog, so here are some photos to catch up. 

I planted Fritallaria bulbs years ago...and this may be the second time blooming. I suspect it's because the area was too shady, but I cleaned the garden up a bit. That tiny line is not a photograph flaw--it's a piece of my hair. I use hair to deter squirrels and deer from gnawing at the flowers.

Cheery cherry blossoms

And apples

Blooms completely covered the apple trees, perhaps because we had a milder winter. But we had some cold temperatures a few days ago, so I'm not sure if we'll get many apples. It's hard to photograph, but I stepped into a fantastical fairy world of delicate white flowers and buzzing bees as I stood under the tree. 

When the blossoms fell, the ground look like it was covered in snow. That silly thing hanging from the branch of the tree is smelly soap to deter deer, attached in March. I'm claiming my garden as human territory. 

We cleared out some brush, and now wild strawberries are taking over. 

The wild flowers are blooming, like these downy yellow violets...

and  early meadow rue. (This isn't a complete list of what's in our woods..maybe some other time,)

And, of course, I end this post with one of my favorites, lilacs! I'm such a nerd, inhaling deeply whenever I pass them. I hope that wherever life takes me I'll be able to see lilacs in the spring.