Clouds of Amelanchier Blossoms

The Amelanchiers are at their peak right now in mid May here in Wisconsin. The shrubs are covered in blossoms!  They surround you in blossoms  -- it's like walking through clouds.

Amelanchiers in full bloom in May

There are many species and varieties of Amelanchier.  Some are shrubs and some grow as small trees.  As you can see, they're covered in white blossoms in the spring, which are followed by blue fruits that birds absolutely adore!

Blossoms cover these plants in May

It's hard to describe what it's like to be surrounded by these plants when they're in full bloom.  It's like walking in the clouds.

Amelanchier grandiflora 'Princess Diana' in full bloom

Amelanchier canadensis on the left and Amelanchier grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' on the right

Amelanchier arborea - the most tree-like of the Amelanchiers

The blossoms aren't just beautiful. They're an important nectar source for insects in the spring.

Amelanchiers are commonly called Juneberries ('cause their fruit ripens in June), Serviceberries and Saskatoons.  As noted above, birds go crazy for the fruit.

Amelanchiers are most often grown for its sweet fruit that is relished by birds. Over 42 species of birds eat the fruit! The fruit is also good for eating out of hand and for jellies. Native Americans used Amelanchier fruit in making Pemican, a staple of their diet.

Amelanchier fruit

Amelanchiers are very winter hardy and easy to grow in average garden soil from Zone 3/4 to 8.  Most aren't bothered by disease and insects. And, they're native to North America!

They're also very showy in the fall with orange to red foliage.

We offer a wonderful shrub version of Amelanchier canadensis, called 'Regent'.  See our Web site for information about this variety.

Here's a video of the Amelanchiers in bloom.  Enjoy!

Daffodils!

If there's one bulb to plant in your garden, it should be daffodils!

Daffodils!

Why? Rabbits and deer don't eat them.  They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors -- not just the common yellow trumpets, not that those aren't fabulous!!

Here's a few examples of the varieties we have in our gardens.  We just adore these flowers and desperately need to see them in the spring!

Oh, and did we mention that daffodils come back reliably every year? And they multiply over time, so one bulb will grow to many bulbs?  Oh yeah, and they make great cut flowers!!  What's not to like?

We also adore Narcissus, which are in the Daffodil family. These have incredible fragrance. The common "paper whites" that we start indoors in the winter are Narcissus.  They are similar to Daffodils in appearance, but the fragrance puts them in a whole different category.  Be sure to plant some Narcisuss, too!

Snow in May?!

Wow, what a weird "spring" we're having this year!  First, lots of snow in April.  Lots!  Take a look at this photo from April 23:

Big snowstorm on April 23, 2013

Well, that was crazy!  Then it warmed up and we thought that spring had finally arrived.  Here's my dog lounging on the last snowbank a few days later when the temps got into the 60s:

Then, the forecast called for more snow.  What?!  We couldn't believe it.  And we were in the bullseye for getting the most snow.  The day before it hit, the Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks returned!  We were so worried about these tropical birds surviving the snow and cold.  Here's what we woke up to on May 2, 2013 - 14 inches of snow!

14 inches of snow on May 2, 2013!

But, we heard the birds calling. It is spring and it is May after all!  We made sure there was lots of seeds, suet and jelly out for the birds.  And this is what we saw:

Oriole on snow-covered feeder in May

Here's a bird house with a snowcap

We're hoping for warm weather and sun tomorrow.  It's in the forecast, at least!  Let's hope for more normal weather the rest of this spring and summer.