More life in beauty with changes

 

A beautiful rhododendron near my apartment.

This is what's left of my mountain laurel, which was over-pruned this winter before budding.

The knock-out roses are pretty hardy, and everyone likes seeing them.

But right in front of the roses are the Peonies. 

These photos of the peonies were taken on Wed. May 10. They looked so beautiful, and had a sweet scent. I even noticed they'd enticed some ants to do whatever they do to peonies.

By Wednesday May 17 this is what they looked like. We had a little rain, and they were just too heavy to hold their heads up. Fortunately (I guess) our manager made sure nobody cut them for themselves, so we all got to see these sad flowers.

Today's quote:

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Mahatma Gandhi

Mountain laurel closer to home

This bush is mostly green, with these star-like clusters of white flowers.

But when I look into the heart of the blossoms, there's that wonderful little face of a mountain laurel.

We also have some sweet Peonies.

They have a while to bloom.

Mountain Laurel!

 Oh how happy I am to see the lilies of the valley have returned through the bed of mulch.  I missed seeing if they bloomed, but it's great to see them survive!

 I walked around the end of my apartment building and down the hill to the next one...there were beautiful blooms all over this bush...Mountain Laurel.  The one next to my apartment is still buds, only it's probably something else. I'll let you see as soon as the buds open.

As I turned to walk back up the hill, I could see my postage stamp balcony, between living room and bedroom windows.  We have 4 upper level apartments over 4 lower ones, and never run into the folks who live on the other level.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons are wonderful in bloom all over the mountains.

I always get this plant confused with Mountain Laurel.  Most of the wild Laurel has little blossoms, much the same shape, usually white, or a reddish streaked. 

This is the laurel.

 
And this is our rhododendron.