I am my own worst enemy

There were a couple of plants growing in the rain garden that I did not recognize. Assuming they were weeds, I sprayed them. Then I spotted a third clump. Curious, I took a photo and used Google Lens to find out what it was. Swamp milkweed.

I don't remember planting it, but a search on the blog reveals that I did, last spring; it bloomed and produced seed pods. My forgetfulness was so complete that I purchased *more* swamp milkweed this spring. I feel like an idiot. An OLD idiot.

I contemplated cutting down the dame's rocket before it went to seed, but the bees have been in it. Not that there aren't more flowers for them to visit. I just hate to limit their choices.

ALL the perennials I purchased this spring are now in the ground FINALLY. I marked each one with a white flag. The chokeberry shrubs are completely fenced off with poultry netting since the bunnies like them. The additions to the rain garden have a little (old) ornamental fence marking their area, to keep me and hopefully the dog from trampling them. It's a relief to have that chore done.

I've been hearing a catbird along with the wrens and the other usual avian visitors. And yesterday a monarch butterfly flitted through the yard, so I am hopeful that the milkweed will attract them this summer.

I would have more photos, but today has been rather breezy, so everything is dancing in the wind. The forecast for this week looks delightful - 50's at night, 70's during the day - so I hope to get even more done in the yard.

Although I am feeling my 73 years these days, I truly enjoy gardening. I hope I am lucky enough to live here long enough to see everything mature, or mature enough that it all looks complete and purposeful. And if I am *really* lucky, the next owners will value what I have done.