Our lilacs are gorgeously productive this year, with flower trusses in all shades of lilac and purple and white. The flowers almost hide the new green leaves on the towering front-yard bush which was one of the reasons we bought this house, coming up on 20 years ago now. And the masses of dark-purple irises (don’t know the proper name; I call them ‘Auburndales’ because that’s where I thinned out the overcrowded patch next to the rental duplex and ended up with a handful of leftover root crowns which have multiplied relentlessly ever since) are in glorious competition. Usually the irises come up either well before or just after the lilacs bloom, so this is a bonus season.
Also growing very vigorously is what’s left of the lawn; it’s approaching knee-deep now, and if the local weatherpersons are correct it might actually be dry enough tomorrow to commit the first mowing of the year. Does anyone have any advice / recommendations on reel mowers? Our current model is electric, and I can just about manage to haul it around, but I’d really like something lighter even if it meant more “work” pushing it…
What’s your gardens looking like, this week?