Latest comments

• June in bloom in rain-drenched Connecticut:
  • joenesgarden: Laurrie, June is one of my favorite gardening months. I actually find time to enjoy the blossoms. I, too, get a slight scent from my Blushing Pink knockout rose. You are so right ... its dainty flowers make easy subjects to photograph. I'm sure you are enjoying our break from nearly constant rain...
  • Laurrie: I love the scenes of your June garden backing up to the woods, with those rustic stacked rock walls. What beautiful color combinations you have going! And there is simply nothing more perfect than one crystalline rose on that Blushing Pink knockout-- one of the prettiest roses to photograph (is yours fragrant? I get...
  • joenesgarden: Jean, I had a similar experience with Trout lilies this year. On one property I care for there was a Trout lily explosion. More than I have ever seen in bloom at any one time. As with most things, rain brings disadvantages and advantages.
  • Jean at Jean's Garden: As much as the rain can keep us from getting out and enjoying the garden, it does make the greenery extra green and many flowering plants lush and full. After an exceptionally dry April, Maine has had somewhat above average rain for May and June (but nothing like what you've had -- most of those...
• Learn about local invasive plants:
  • joenesgarden: Jean, I totally agree. Educational sessions such as the one planned by Connecticut master gardeners will, hopefully, go a long way in opening the eyes of gardeners.
  • Jean at Jean's Garden: We need more educational efforts like this one. I have had so many conversations with gardeners in which they insist that a plant is not invasive because it is not a thug in their garden. It's often hard for people to grasp that the issue is not how the plant behaves in your garden, but...
• Swallowtail caterpillars and rue:
  • joenesgarden: Laurrie, I see the same caterpillars on Queen Anne's Lace during the summer. This is the first I've noticed them this early on rue.