And summer has begun

I went outside today to do 20-30 minutes of garden stuff. Within the first 30 seconds of cutting back some plants, three different mosquitoes tried to eat lunch. They failed. Then, I went back inside to get the bug spray. I can't remember the last time I've worn bug spray during the day or worn it in May. What is even weirder is that we are still behind on our rainfall for the year.

My big garden news is that I finally have some lilac blooms. I planted a lilac three years ago in the wrong spot (it doesn't get enough sun). But, I don't really have a better place for it. This year, it grew tall enough that the ends of the branches do get some sun. Thus, flowers! As you can see, the blooms are not completely open and it is blooming quite late, but I'm still thrilled.

Here are some other pictures.

Peonies

Hosta leaf (I think it is called an elephant ear hosta)

White bleeding heart

Clown face (an annual in my shed "window box")