I was a bit disappointed in the spring because there were not that many lily bulbs for sale.
Then I found a way around the problem and started to buy ready planted pots from the stores.
I let them bloom in the balcony first and then take the pots to the summer cottage for planting. Hopefully I will have them blooming for many years.
Dianthuses are doing well this year and there are so many colors available in the stores. Nearly bought few more this morning but resisted the temptation.
Flowers are enjoying the heatwave that has been giving us over 30 degrees Celsius temperatures past few days. I have also managed to relax in the near by park sunbathing.
At this time of the year our nights are less than five hours long and it does not really get dark at all. Up here in the north we know that winter is never that far away and desperately try to enjoy the limited number of summer days we are going to get.
The Flaming Flags are blooming well.
I guess it was a mistake to plant them next to the red and yellow tulips. Somehow they do not stand out well. The brighter ones take the spotlight.
Well they look good anyway.
Spent the morning walking around and admiring the tulips.
Darwin Reds are blooming well but if I am completely honest I expected them to be brighter red instead of having a shade of pink.
It is going to be a rainy day but that makes my day a bit easier. No watering the plants today.
Some of the daffodils are still blooming. Most are already gone but not all.
They did give a good show this year and I am happy that I have managed to find so many different varieties over the years.
Daffodils are very easy to grow requiring almost nothing special. Just good soil and enough water and they will bloom each year.
Darwin tulips are at their best. Design Impression is a variety I have not tried before but seems to be a very nice one.
The spring has been a good one for the tulips up here in the north – not to dry and not too warm.
After several sunny and beautiful days we are going to have few rainy ones. A bit pity because I still have plenty of things to do in the garden.
Have planted several dahlias again this year but it will take months before they start to bloom.
When on a Sunday walk happened to notice a cute little dahlia decided to have one in my balcony.
Just loved the color and the small size of the plant. The problem I always face with the dahlias I buy is that they tend to stop blooming at some point.
This time decided to try to fertilize the pot well and see if that would solve the issue. Time will tell.
After several beautiful days the winter decided to come back. The temperature is below the freezing point and we got some snow during the night.
Stonecrops are doing fine though. Even with the low temperatures they have managed to start the season.
Stonecrops are one of those plants which look interesting the whole summer. Light green during the spring and red long lasting blooms during the autumn.
Siberian squills are blooming beautifully.
They are one of those flowers where you do not need to do anything else than watch and enjoy. Once established they just spread and bloom each spring.
On a warm day they are full of bees and butterflies feasting.
Gardening in the North 