Flowers that bloom in spring

Tra la! I mentioned white trillium last week I think, and here's a photo of one of the clumps I propagated last year. All have survived to bloom again this spring.

I've always loved the trillium, which is a common woodland blossom back home in Michigan. I don't recall seeing redbud so often there, but the small tree/large shrub is widespread in Illinois and Indiana though it grows best rather farther south than our location here. Photo taken this evening of the first blossoms on the redbud I planted as a twig about eleven years ago.

In other farm news, apple trees are already passing their peak. I hope there were enough insects to pollinate them. We had asparagus from the garden for dinner, and it was infinitely better than the factory farmed grocery store kind. Sweet, tender, mild-flavored. Quite delicious. Rhubarb will be ready for a first cutting this weekend, I think. The blueberries are in blossom, and I should try to get a photo of those flowers. They are unusual, bell-shaped pink things.

Saw a pair of tree swallows (intense blue on back and top of wings, white underneath) in the orchard and watched one of them fly into a bluebird house. She didn't come out for several minutes. I suspect eggs or babies in there.

Summer is almost here. The scent of (just opened) honeysuckle and lilac fills the air every time I step outdoors.