Hi Kiyoshi Rainy season of between end of May to early July is called "Tsuyu" Some time home owner use unbrella to protect flower. Hokkaido don't have tsuyu/rainy season. Planting time It is depend on plant and location. Are you in zone 6 or 5? If you can tell where you live/general location then I can tell more specificly. Blooming time of year If cherry tree's flowering timing from kyushu to Hokkaido, It is normaly forcasted well every year. Useing Yoshino cherry as indication tree. some cherry tree bloom twice . spring and fall. some cherry tree bloom twice one after another. Some plants,shurbs bloom longer than otherssome tree flower only two weeks or so and some blooms 3 month or longer.ability of tree, shurbs,plants,and skill of gardner make different. rain some time rain/shower 4~5 days continuosly. This time of rain is very important to grow rice. rain of summer and after typhoon season's rain are different. During typhoon season we have heavy rain. Location Inland of Northeast and coast of north east have different weather. so does Japan. For exsample Hokkaido island, northern part of Japan, Hakodate city is more like new York. northern part of Hokkaido is like Alberta, Cannada Blooming time Again it is depend on plants and location.If you travel 50 miles to north,south east or west blooming time of same plants may differ 10 days or more. early or late. If elevation is chenged then blooming time of same plant may differ 30 days or more. If you contac to Cosulate General of Japan in your area, they will provide you some free information. Don't afraid to ask.....yama

Yes, the Mayflower and Susan Williams Ellis are both excellent. Beautiful foliage on them and so healthy. Marlorena, I am sure you find a similar variety of dianthus. I like the older ones with the softer colors that are a little taller. Thanks Ingrid. I didn't know that was the translation. So much nicer than "purple pavement" Here are a few more shots I snapped this morning when the sun came out. Most of my roses are still in the bud phase. These are the early birds. Therese Bugnet Sunny Knockout - not a favorite but can be pretty More Rotes Meer Roseraie de l'Hay -Chris

Marlorena, years ago, I had planned on banishing it to the bottom of the garden - and out of sight. However, it was the only plant my son commented favourably on, and when he stays (which is most weeks for a couple of days) he does the mowing! Not an easy job, as the there are 3 levels, and the mower has to be argued up and down some uneven and awkward steps. Some time later, I read about the need for vertical accents, and so I resigned myself to not minding it too much. Foxgloves and hollyhocks bite the dust here, and I haven't even bothered trying delphiniums. It looks nicely architectural in those photos, Sheila. Ingrid, somehow I missed your second batch of photos. I hope your Mme Antoine Mari continues to perform - she's a lovely shape. La France is a beauty: I love the two tones. I can see why you love her so much. Are the bunnies leaving your roses alone? I'm surprised at how lush they're looking. Decades ago, a friend persuaded me to have a pet rabbit for the children. I had a hutch built, but it burrowed out, and I hadn't the heart to keep it contained. It was very companionable - lay next to me when I was gardening, and it had finished munching. But it stood on hind legs, and demolished everything it could reach. Do you still have Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux? I was surprised the other day to see a pink bloom pop up amongst the salvia nemerosa. I think it's the rose I bought as Triomphe de Luxemburg, which I think the Tea Ladies say is really RJG. I had no idea it was still alive. I thought I'd removed it, as the blooms didn't open.

Lovely, Jeri. You have become quite a photographer! There have not been very many mornings here lately (we have had rain in 12 of the last 13 days - total here just for that period of over 14 inches) which have NOT been rainy. Woke up to rain today, even though it was supposed to be a dry day. Now they say tomorrow will be w/o rain - I will believe it if I see it. NOT COMPLAINING - much much better than drought, or that horrible smoke we had for 2 weeks last Fall. Jackie