April 2017 Poppies ~ no buds yet this year
Back in Western New York, first blossoms always arrived from late April to early May, perennials providing lush colors while we waited for the last frost that would mark the end of May, when annuals could be planted. It was an adjustment for me when I moved to central Missouri, where spring rains are already falling by early March, flowers are blooming by April, and the summer flowers are showing their faces by May. Normally.
Erratic weather and March/April nights cooler than usual meant spring was severely delayed this year. Oak pollen, my one bane here in Missouri, appeared four weeks late, just in time for the typical May spike in temperatures and precipitous drop in humidity – typical factors in high pollen count. Daffodils and violets were three weeks late. Usually gracing our garden by mid-April, irises finally appeared last week. If it wasn’t for the ninety degree days this week, I could believe I was back in Buffalo.
May in disarray
flowers confused by weather
reluctant poppies
Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #34: Passing Spring
rivrvlogr 
All the seasons seem to be coming in a lot faster these years. Here too my poppies which generally don’t bloom till lat June/early July are wild with color. I enjoyed your preface as much as I enjoyed your verse. Thank you . . .
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Thank you, Peter.
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Reluctant but beautiful 🙂
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The poppy is one of my favorite flowers, but the flowers come and go so fast.
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They don’t last long, no. There are fewer and fewer here because of herbicides and the ploughing up of all the land, not leaving verges and hedgerows. Can’t criticise the farmers though…
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The wild poppies here are white – pretty indeed, but I am always astounded by the orange ones when I encounter them in other geographies. Your photo is gorgeous, vivid. Glad they made an appearance!
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Thanks Jazz. I enjoy the contrast the flower provides.
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They are beautiful, if reluctant. This has been a particularly crazy spring it seems. It’s been raining off and on for a week here. Yesterday, I was digging out winter clothes, and today it’s supposed to be in the 80s.
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Wacky seasons are becoming the new normal.
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #1 (5/21/18): Ken’s latest #haibun for my current #haikai challenge!
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🙂
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I saw the first poppies here today, alongside the bluebells… very confused!
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!! 🙂
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May in disarray; excellent! Perhaps she is spending too much time with those poppies?
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All I know is… I’m waiting!
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