A terribly busy work week, and thus not much time spent in the garden.

Ladybugs still everywhere; I must have lots for them to eat. On a quick stroll through this morning, I saw two rabbits. I should be annoyed by their presence, but when the damage isn’t obvious they’re too cute to be annoying. Have also been trying to make mental notes on various bird calls to identify, but the fellows all talk at once; it’s very tricky to hear anything individually. My daylilies ‘Chicago Royal,’ ‘Prince Redbird’ and ‘Grand Opera’ are nearly ready to open. Oriental lilies also ready to open, assuming they’re not nipped overnight by deer. The Phlomis bloom is mostly spent; I wonder if it will rebloom? Rose campion blooming everywhere. Need to transplant a Phormium to the blue slope garden; it’s not getting enough sun where it is. Clematis jackmanii bloomed today for the first time.

Saw my first butterfly of the season, Papilio troilus, Spicebush Swallowtail, I think. Also spotted first dragonfly of the year (very brown, unremarkable). Nice, toasty 88 degrees. No wind.