May started with bursts of Columbine blooms all around. Especially the east facing entrance to the backyard is full of columbines. They look a little messy but I love the flowers so much I let them bloom. I usually try to cut off the bloom heads before they set seeds, but often some seeds escapes and I get more and more of the columbines every year.

Among the bulbs (corms) that I planted in March, the first anemone flowers opened on 5/1 while the ranunculus were slower to bloom. By the end of May both varieties of Anemones (Mr.Fokker and Sulphide) and Ranunculus are full of gorgeous flowers. However, the highlight of May is certainly the peonies! And at this point I am obsessed with the Coral Charm peony that bloomed for the firat time in my garden. I planted a small bare root in 2022 and it bloomed for the first time this year. So so pretty. When it opened fully, the pollinators enjoyed it too. The roses also started flowering and I spotted the first dahlia emerge on 5/2. I am so happy that I don’t dig up my dahlias anymore. A lot less work for me and I only lost very few so far. Plus since last year, I am growing dahlias from seeds which is working so well for me.

This month is a busy one for the veggie patch. I planted the tomato (heirloom Beefsteak variety) plants that I grew from seeds in the ground on Mothers day – which is what I do every year. They are big and strong and already has buds. Pea plants are also big and strong but surprisingly no buds yet. I sowed a lot of radish seeds which have all sprouted. Beans and cilantro are planted too. I am very disappointed with the pepper and basil seedlings. They are growing so slow indoors. I guess the lack of warm weather here in PNW is slowing them down. As the weather heats up, I hope they catch up. I got a little impatient and bought a couple of pepper plants which are doing well.

I have been able to restrain myself from buying more perennials because I want the impact that groupings of plants can provide. Writing this blog throughout the month has also taken a back seat while I got busy tending to the garden. The video linked below shows a lot of the highlights of the garden in May. I am not a trained or skilled videographer, but I tried to capture the garden as it progress from the beginning to the end of May. I love to see the garden fill back with color after the spring flowering bulbs petered out. I hope you enjoy a short tour of our garden!