Two days of rain followed by sun and 78°F, which is exactly the weather peonies wait for and exactly the weather that brings out the slugs on the hostas.
What's at peak in my Long Island yard right now:
- Allium 'Purple Sensation' — peaking. The drifts I planted in 2023 are at their best, about 28 inches tall, behind a row of finished daffodils. Per Penn State Extension, the species form blooms 2-3 weeks earlier than the giant globe types — that timing is holding up here.
- Catmint 'Walker's Low' — month 1 of 4. The June bloom is the densest. I'll shear it back hard at the end of June and it'll rebound for a second flush in late July.
- Russian sage — just starting. First blue spikes opening this week. By next week it'll be a haze of blue against the cedar fence.
- Salvia 'May Night' — second cycle starting. First flush finished mid-May; I cut hard, fed once, and the second wave is opening now.
What's just finished:
- Peonies — done. The last 'Sarah Bernhardt' petals dropped over the weekend. Cut all spent stems to the ground; mulch around the crowns is fine to leave.
- Daffodils — foliage is yellowing but still attached. I won't cut it until it pulls off easily — that's how the bulb reloads for next year. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, tying or braiding daffodil foliage reduces next year's bloom by 20-30%. Just let it ripen.
What's about to start:
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' — buds visible but not opening. Probably 7-10 days out.
- Catmint will probably need shearing in another 2-3 weeks to prompt the second flush.
The deer hit the hostas again Saturday night. I sprayed Bobbex Sunday morning. The Astilbe and Heuchera in the same bed are untouched.
— Thomas