Three Bees

My garden theme this summer is "for the bees," and I observed the native hawthorn tree and found three different kinds of bees working in the blossoms. I know the first (above)  is a bumblebee. I suspect the second is a mason bee (please correct me if I'm wrong). And I think the third is a sweat bee. The flowers I've planted for the bees have yet to blossom, though today's heat will help. And the seeds I planted are growing well. I hope to share more about the bees as the season continues.

And here's a garden update since I've been busy this month. It's been a good spring for violets. Here's two varieties from my yard.

 I love the native cranesbill.

 These lilacs have finished blooming but my late blooming lilac tree is beginning today.