May showers brought these May flowers

Here are the flowers that managed to bloom in my yard this month amid the near-constant rain (which may have delayed the bloom cycle somewhat):

Chive blossoms

Peony

Clematis

Pansies (still going!)

Dahlia (annual) [a flower from the dump pile at a garden store]

Deer-proof spring plants: Decoratives

I went around my yard this week and took photos of decorative flowers and plants that the deer haven't touched. (I'll do shrubs and then edibles in separate posts).

I have seven deer that come through my yard once or twice a day and, while they will surely chow down on the hosta that has recently arisen from the ground, they have never touched any of these plants. (I can't make the same assurance at the height of winter, when the deer can get a little desperate).

Note: Most of the plants grow well in shade since most parts of my yard are in partial to full shade.

Forsythia

Bleeding Heart

Narcissus

Columbine (so far, so good--just planted)

Helleborus (full plant)

Helleborus

Arum Italicum (Italian arum)

Lily of the Valley

Ferns

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Groundcovers

Pachysandra (ground cover)

Ajuga (ground cover)

Periwinkle (ground cover)

Violets (accidental ground cover)

Sweet Woodruff

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And from earlier in the spring...

Jonquils

Crocus

Snowdrops

[All photos: Copyright 2015 Beth Blevins. Please do not reprint or reuse without permission.]

On the last day of April 2013 (or thereabouts)...

Here is what was (still) blooming in my yard on the last day of April this year. (Click on any of the photos to see them bigger).

A slope of purple ajuga, with white and pink azaleas behind.

Bleeding hearts, may apples and periwinkle, growing in the shade.

Small white azalea bushes growing in almost total shade near my mailbox.

Even the rhubarb plant on my deck burst into bloom.

When do blueberry plants blooms?

March 21 or thereabouts...