Did We Just Have summer?

Okay, I know it's the first week in June but really people, I think the blooming season is almost done.

Look at the Honeysuckle--it's gorgeous.

Here in south central Ontario we are accustomed to long, chilly once-in-a-while-hot spring times, until one day it's summer and the tulips look silly.
Then, in a languorous fashion, the plants decide to get into the spirit and our growng season begins.

But not this year.

This year by the twenty-fourth of May, my peonies were in full swing, the roses were coming out the the honeysuckle was gorgeous. In May for goodness sake.

It's not that I'm complaining--heaven knows I spend long, cold months dreaming for this time.



I wonder if stuff like this blooms twice in a season down south? If this longer, warmer season continues, the plants aound here might give it a shot.

Mohammed Ali, Garden Variety

Do not be fooled for an instant that this is just a slightly unruly rose bush.


No, indeed. this is a giant, muscle-bound ferocious member of the rose persuasion, itching to go ten rounds with any other rose on the block.
It came with the house three years ago and I set to work pruning the monster down to a manageable size but that only encouraged it to try harder.
Yes, it is a beautiful sight but it lives to wrap it's thorns in the hair of any innocent passing by like say, a gardener.


See that chain link fence hidden at the back of mighty bush? Well, I lashed the critter to the fence and one day I'll hear a mighty TWANGGGGG and the fence will be curled up in my yard, quivering and pleading to be put out of its misery.

The rose will be smirking.

This year I won't even consider fertilizing the brute.