Liquid Fence and Tulips (with their heads chopped off)

Tulip head nipped in the bud

This morning I took a walk around the yard, the morning after a great spring rain, and found this tulip bloom snipped off and tossed aside into the sweet woodruff patch.

I got out the Liquid Fence and sprayed the tulips once again, and hit the emerging lilies as well.

I also decided to count the tulips in bloom (including a few bitten off heads) and those still with a viable bud.

I got to 96, with at least 6 blooms nipped in the bud, probably by squirrels. I have seen very little bunny damage this spring. I think they know my yard is stinky. Can squirrels smell?

I used to have over 150. I will have to start planting fall tulips again. My numbers are dwindling!

My patch (16) in the front lawn, at least 25 years old now, is blooming happily under my constant watch!

Cherry Trees are Blooming in the New Japanese Garden!

Cherry Tree Promenade - entry to Japanese Garden

Last year the new Japanese Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opened after the cherry trees had already bloomed, so this was the first year to experience the Promenade of Cherry Trees at the main entrance to the Japanese Gardens. The trees are young and still modest, but they were in full bloom when I visited the gardens midweek. They seemed unharmed by the snow and cold we experienced in early April. The day was overcast and the colors are muted, but I was happy to have the opportunity to walk the grounds and avoid any crowds of visitors

Another view close to the enormous rock

A contorted variety

Three Okame cherry trees were planted in 2012 near the entry to the garden.

Cherry Promenade from across the pond

Weeping cherry

A loaded branch

Two favorite rocks

Pine "leaning in"

Closeup of budding branch

A favorite secluded bench

The immaculate Zen garden 

The Japanese Garden is a remarkable place, a great place for a stroll, or a place to sit and meditate--if you have the time! Even when it is not yet all fully budded and bloomed, the garden has great beauty of design, gorgeous rocks, calming waterfalls--and today, all those pretty cherry trees!