These are the spring days to  treasure; the atmosphere is warm and fresh, there's a cooling breeze to counteract the heat of the full sun, and it is relaxing and pleasurable to walk at leisure through the garden to see what has recently popped up, what is preparing to bloom, what needs tie-back, a nip here and a tuck there, and you think how fortunate you are to be able to live like this.

The tree peonies are in full leaf, and they've set their plump, large buds. It won't be much longer before they open to reveal huge, thickly layered blossoms with deep rich colour, one yellow, the other pink. Beside the pink one is a Karl Rosenfield peony and it too is preparing to bloom in deep fiery red. Not far from them is our favourite clematis that bears extremely large blossoms, blue outer petal ring, and lighter blue interior ring of petals. There will be many of them.

A bit further along is one of our oldest climbing roses which has vigorously grown and leafed out in the last several weeks and its roses will be deep pink, and numerous. Across from them, the Magnolia tree is now almost bereft of its large pink blooms, they've shattered and fallen to the ground, as have the hundreds and hundreds of pale pink blossoms of the two Sarjentii crabapple trees next to the Magnolia. 

Now, as well, the Japanese quince is covered with bright orange blossoms that will in time -- at least some of them -- become quinces. We were out this morning in the garden with Jackie and Jillie with a bit of a mission, to water the urns and the pots newly planted with annuals and to do the same with the garden. I tackled the backyard first, and Irving did the front, where there's a lot more to be done. In the back, the Japanese maple is maturing beautifully, looking healthier than we've ever seen it.

The Hostas in the rock garden are all opening, and Columbine are sending up their flower stalks preparatory to bloom. The Corkscrew Hazel could look better. It has taken the brunt of the savaging of foliage, thanks to the now-annual return of Japanese beetles that prey on it. They've taken a toll of the rose shrubs as well, but it's the Hazel that is most affected, its foliage slower than usual to emerge.

Eastern Ontario forests are facing another summer infestation of gypsy moth, and we've been informed that many of the conifers that they predate may not survive another onslaught. Evidently the deciduous have a better chance of survival since many can regenerate new foliage during the season once the moth larvae have done their damage. These infestations of foreign species with no natural enemies to keep them in check have laid waste to many natural areas throughout the world.

Out in the ravine later in the afternoon, Jackie and Jillie met up with some of their friends. Invariably when they see someone ahead whom they know they speed toward them, legs flying in all directions, ears flapping and barking furiously.  Overcome with emotion? Who knows. As soon as they are in direct proximity they quiet down and engage in the usual greetings, then -- yawn.

It has taken no time at all for the forest ferns to emerge from the fertile soil of the forest floor to begin dominating the bracken, their graceful forms adding to the green texture of the overall landscape. More of the Lilies-of-the Valley are now in bloom, dancing around the perimeter of tree trunk bases, as are the Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Nature, busy at work.