BIRDS, BEES & BLOSSOMS

Anyone who has hostas in their gardens has noticed the profusion of lavender-colored flowers in full bloom these days. The cooler temperatures have certainly helped invigorate the numerous trumpet-like blossoms on the individual stems so that they can lift their heads to the sun, encouraging the visitation of those coming to drink and feed on their nectar.

Recently I was checking on the roses I planted this spring in the center of the garden that holds center court in the midst of my circular driveway. I was amazed at the dozens of busy bees buzzing all around the hosta crown of the rock enclosure. The bees were not the least bothered by my presence. And I felt no threat from them. After the national news of entire bee colonies dying from some mysterious cause just a few years ago, I feel a kind of joy seeing beautiful honey bees happy and content in my gardens. Although I do have to stop putting in any more gardens. The two that went in this year must be the last if for no other reason than the sheer cost of Spring and Fall preparations. At least I have (more or less) converted the majority of all ten (10!)of them to perennial plants. Now the task will be to keep the chipmunks and squirrels from knocking down the early blooms in the course of their mad races through "their" playgrounds. (Or deciding they are the PERFECT place to stash their seeds and other goodies down amongst the bulbs and roots - not so good!)

The final benefit of the weather and the flowers has been the increase in hummingbird activity around here, too. At least three have been enjoying the red sugary liquid feeder on the back porch. Strange how the male will not share with any others. As beautiful as his red throat is, he is a greedy son-of-a gun. And then he'll go perch himself nearby on a tall bracket between the black-eyed Susan's in the garden next to the walkway, just in case the ladies come by. Of course, out in the circular driveway garden, there have been as many as four zipping among the bee balm and hosta flowers. Maybe because there are so many places where flowers await attention, the males and females can get along at the same time. Or maybe it's because time is short. The blossoms will not wait for temperamental territorial testosterone.

I have noticed in all of this, those little guys are neither all that little nor are they all that quiet. One would think a giant bee was in the neighborhood to hear the sound of their wings even ten feet away. All in all, it is a wonderful time - with these peaceful, gentle creatures - the bees, the birds and the chipmunks. And it is the gardens, planted as much for them and the butterflies that are beginning to come and for my sense of peace and sanity, that make this the best time of the year.