Monday, May 5, 2014

April Showers Have Brought May Flowers

May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogStuff_zps90813549.jpg
April Showers Have Brought May Flowers 

I am one of those rare people who does not get depressed when it is dark or when it rains but I am glad to see the sunny May Flowers that appear after a month of April Showers. 

Today we will be focusing on my 3 Favorite May Flowers:
1.  Lilac
2.  Lily of the Valley
3.  Iris 
These 3 flowers are visually stunning and amazingly aromatic!  I wish that I could send the wonderful scent of each one of these flowers over the internet. 

Lilac 

Here in Michgian Lilac Bushes bloom at the beginning of May and have the most tantalizing floral scent.  There are also so many different varieties of Lilacs: double lilac, light purple lilac, dark purple lilac, white lilac, french lilac etc. - the list is endless. 

Maintaining Lilac Bushes

When talking about maintaining Lilac bushes you first need to know if you have a regular oldfashioned lilac bush or a "non-suckering" lilac bush (please see the last 2 pictures in this section).  Simply look at the base of your lilac bush and if there are little lilac shoots growing, then you have a regular lilac plant.  Some people do not like the unkempt look of the traditional lilac plant but I don't mind the wild look - I actually prefer it.  Over the years I have been able to start many new lilac bushes from the suckers that my traditional lilac bush produced.  I am able to separate 1 or 2 lilac “suckers” about every 5 years - (I should add "successfully separate").  There have been times when I tried to separate these suckers too soon and they just ended up dying - trial and error is the best way to learn in this case.
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1258_zps84b6787b.jpgMay Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1209_zpsfe578583.jpg
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1223_zps32d0cc26.jpg
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1239_zpsd6817004.jpg

May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1356_zps025b4ff8.jpg  May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1210_zps9ace7dd3.jpg
The lilac bush in the picture on the left has produced many "suckers" but none are large

enough to separate.  The  lilac bush in the picture on the right is about 45 years old (which is young in Lilac years) (This one on the right is a "non-suckering" lilac bush)


Lily of the Valley 

Every year I am amazed at how this tiny delicate flower can emit such a powerful fragrance that seems to travel for acres.  When in season, the Lily of the Valley makes the entire neighborhood smell fresh, green and delightful.   In my opinion, nothing in the world smells like the Lily of the Valley. 
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1233_zpse612b575.jpg May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1235_zpscf6102aa.jpg

This precious flower blooms in mid-May.  They are very easy to grow but if left alone for years they can take over your garden.  Therefore, Lily of the Valley plants  should be split every couple years.  Although, if you have the space, I would recommend allowing these plants to spread.  I like that wild look and it is exciting to watch the changing Lily landscape - it's almost like a Valley of Lilies (see picture below).
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1244_zps7d428f7d.jpg
Once all of the Lily of the Valley plants have totally stopped flowering, use a shovel and dig up a thick clump of Lily of the Valley plants (see picture below left).  Then gently divide each stem base and you will notice that each stem has it's own root system.  They should separate fairly easily (see picture below right).  You will see that I was able to split my clump of Lily of the Valley into 13  plants.  Then of course, you would plant each separated stalk where you desire.

May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1318_zpsa3077463.jpg   May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1319_zps3c74801a.jpg

May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1238_zps343a031c.jpg

Iris

To me Irises smell like cotton candy or some kind of sweet hard candy - but don't eat it!!  (Seriously - don't ever eat these flowers!).  Irises bloom at the end of May and some years (here in Michigan) even the beginning of June.
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1285_zps8d9686cc.jpg
You know it's time to split or thin your Irises when they start to spread into the grass (lol).   As you can see by the picture below that is exactly what happened with my Iris patch.  After the Irises have finished flowering, simply remove your Irises with a shovel (you will need to dig down 6 to 8 inches to make sure you get the root base).  Then look at each stalk and follow it down to the base, there should be a twisted bulb-like root for each stalk.  Now separate each stalk - you might have to snap or cut the thick Iris roots apart.  (see pictures below)

Then simply plant each new Iris in it's new location.  Splitting should be done about every 3 years or whenever you notice a large conglomeration of Irises.



May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1352_zpsba2bf902.jpg
May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1353_zps05fb3a63.jpg  May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1354_zps3587cd67.jpg

May Flowers by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo DSCF1288_zps96be2ebd.jpg


Free "Spring Card" Printable - click HERE (NOTE:  This card will take up a lot of ink - I suggest going to Office Max or a Fed Ex Printing store and pay 10 to 20 cents instead)





by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo Day_zpsb50f87c9.jpg

7 comments:

  1. My mother's favorite flower is the lilac. I also love the scent. :) Great post!

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  2. My lilac bushes aren't quite in bloom yet but I am anticipating!! Love that smell. Enjoyed the post!

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  3. Great tips!!! I'm pinning this for future reference.
    thanks!
    Shana from Technotini

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  4. Stopping by from Turn It Up Tuesday. I love Lilacs. Don't know why I don't have a few bushes. You've inspired me to seek out a few.

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  5. The irises are absolutely beautiful! You take the best pictures Angie, it makes me feel as if I'm in your garden. Thank you for sharing :)

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  6. Great tips! I've got to do some planting! I love Lilly of the Valley! So sweet! Thanks for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!

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