Six 'Shrubs' on Saturday

I'm joining in with Garden Ruminations' Six on Saturday meme: highlighting six things of note in the garden. We're having a beautiful May, with many plants blooming synchronously and holding their blooms because of cool (but not cold) nighttime temperatures.

With this post, I'm highlighting shrubs, shrub-like plants, and climbers.



1. The Highbush Cranberries (Viburnum trilobum) are in full bloom. These broad, tall native shrubs are great understory anchors at the edge of the woods.



2. Clematis 'Nelly Moser' climbs trellises at the back corners of the house. In full bloom, it's quite dramatic and welcomes hummingbirds and other pollinators.



3. Helleborus 'Sandy Shores' is setting seed, but it's still lovely. With broad, evergreen foliage, it adds a pleasant foundation structure to a very shady spot on the north side of the house.



4. The Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) form small, shrub-like patches in several spots in the garden. Each clump is about three feet tall and four feet wide. They've been blooming for several weeks now.

5. Fred's 'Sweet Mary' Rose is preparing to bloom. In this photo, some Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) fluff is captured around the bud. This Rose cultivar was created by my paternal great-grandfather, as described in this post.

'Sweet Mary' isn't blooming yet this year, but when it does it looks like this, and the scent is intoxicating! It's a healthy shrub-like rose that takes little care other than annual pruning.

6. Finally, the Korean Lilacs (Syringa meyeri) are fabulous this year (also shown in the first photo of this post). Apparently, weather conditions and the previous year's pruning combined to bring out their best.

Best wishes for Americans celebrating Memorial Day, and happy new season transitions to all!

Woodland Wildflowers for May Bloom Day

For this bloom day, I'm focusing on a few ephemerals and wildflowers in our woodland at the back of our garden. Many other plants are blooming, but they'll have their day. In addition to the plentiful Violets (Viola spp., above) flourishing around the property, many other wildflowers are lovely this month.



The Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are fading, but I captured a few pics before they were done.



Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) have been blooming since early April! They're such a great native plant option to support pollinators at the beginning of the season.



While the Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) flaunts its heart-shaped foliage, its fascinating, fuzzy flowers hide underneath and support flies, beetles, ants, and some butterflies.



Each year, I'm thrilled to welcome back the plentiful Jack-in-the-Pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum). They have such a unique form and are so at home in the back woods.



The Trilliums are in full bloom and seem very happy this spring. Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum) hides under Oak leaf litter and ground cover, and always surprises me when it pops up in May.



Each year since the drought in 2012, the Great White Trilliums (T. grandiflorum) have expanded around the property. They are so regal.

And, finally, the Red Trillium (T. erectum) graces its own special spot along the woodland edge.

It's a beautiful day and month in the garden! To enjoy other lovelies on this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, visit May Dreams Gardens.