Praying mantis in my abelia shrub.

They are indeed lovey. My single flower version is blooming for the second year in a row and look to be even more robust than the first year. I followed the suggestion to deadhead so as to promote stronger roots for the following year.

Milkweed and coneflowers before a new round of rain.
#gardening

Happy to help!

Happy to help!

Update: Here’s my first bloom!

I haven’t been able to post on the gardening feed, so I am sharing on related topics. Here’s a purple mallow that has been spared by the rabbits.

Itoh peony finally bloomed in its third year. #gardenSky

After several attempts I finally got some to germinate and grow. Maybe next year they will bloom.

Yellow crowned night heron - Ocean City NJ

Yellow crowned night heron at Ocean City yesterday

Some fleabanes make great ground covers #gardening

Happy May Day with lupine and camassia Lily! #gardening

Kwanzan (Japanese flowering) cherry in bloom.

Delicate blossoms of Kwanzan (or Kanzan, or Japanese flowering) cherry. Soon my lawn will be covered with pink petals.