Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Happy May

Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.

pink regal geraniums

This and That…

Opening Day at our marina and summer seedlings transplanted in the cut flower garden…what a great start to the month of May.

Thanks for being here! I hope you’re having the most fabulous weekend.

My hubby, dog boys Jax and Ollie, and I stayed on the boat (Wildflower) for Cinco de Mayo. We not only hosted a little get-together that evening, but we were at the marina for the official opening of boating festivities Saturday.

It feels so good to be on Wildflower again after a long absence due to my knee replacement.

We’re also getting ready for our 3-week boating trip to Canada. I can’t wait to take you along as we visit places like Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Salt Spring Island, and much more.

We will have a housesitter and garden help while we’re gone but I will miss the garden. And I’ve been promised pictures!


As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. My blog contains other affiliate links as well for your convenience. Click here to read my privacy policy.

 Pieris Japonica Mountain Fire shrub

Around the Garden and Greenhouse

Let’s start with what’s blooming during this first week of May.

Our Pieris Japonica Mountain Fire shrub has never looked so beautiful. Usually, all you see are the green leaves but the gorgeous pinks and dusty roses have taken over and this shrub is gorgeous!

This evergreen shrub grows in hardiness zones 5-8.

 Digiplexus Berry Canary

Look what I found at our Costco last week.

This is a Digiplexus Berry Canary and is the first cross-generic hybrid between the tropical Canary Island Foxglove, Isoplexis canariensis,  and Digitalis purpurea. 

 Digiplexus Berry Canary

They were $15.99 each and I bought 4 plants.

 rhododendron caucasicum.

This is a rhododendron caucasicum. We have rhododendron varieties blooming in the garden from April through June with the most beautiful colors.

purple azalea

Here’s an azalea bloom.

viburnum lantana tree

Our viburnum lantana tree is blooming.

We still have a few tulips blooming in the cottage garden. The left variety is a green star tulip and one of my favorites.

They come back strong every year, unlike many tulip varieties that bloom less and less each year and are almost considered an annual.


 Heirloom Dutch Iris

Here’s an Heirloom Dutch Iris which I don’t remember ever planting in my garden.

lilacs on tree

The lilacs are blooming and smell so sweet.

candytuft

Candytuft makes such an incredible statement in May.

allium

I look forward to the alliums blooming every year.

peonies bud

The peonies are budding.

new fern fronds

Do you remember when I cut back the ferns in March? This is what they’re looking like this week.

new fern fronds

sweet pea seedlings

The summer annual seedlings have been transplanted to their new homes for the rest of the growing season.

Here are some sweet peas.

zinnia seedlings

Zinnias are planted in raised beds. I made room for the tomatoes and zucchini to be planted.

zinnia seedlings

These lilliput zinnias will be gorgeous.




Last Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

antique candle

Antique Candles are now restocked.


BugHut

For the mom gardener...BugHut “Jump Into Spring” kit has everything she’ll need to keep her plants healthy and beautiful. Use code shiplapandshells15 for 15% off your order.


From the Blog

greenhouse and flower containers on steps

How to Grow a Flower Container Garden for Beginners

Are you new to gardening and want to start slow? Do you only have a small garden area to work with? If so, flower container gardening is a great option. I’ll share my tips and tricks on how to grow and care for a beautiful flower container garden.



summer beach cottage living room

2022 Simple Summer Beach Cottage Home Tour and Decorating Ideas

I’m just starting to decorate my beach cottage for summer and thought it would be fun to share a throwback summer tour from last year with you.




My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

How to create botanical artwork with supplies on hand.

The best vintage garden variety market.

herbs and a book

Want to know the 10 Best Herbs to Grow and Why? Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse shares which herbs to plant as annuals, which are perennial, and how to preserve herbs for off-season enjoyment.

This coastal Maine house story.

How to easily revive tarnished flatware and trophies.

peony wreath

Spring is here in full bloom and Leslie at My 100-Year-Old Home is sharing an easy peony floral wreath DIY.

Tips for growing vegetables in New England.

This sweet and swirled iced lemon loaf is a great recipe for Mother’s Day brunch.


I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.

Until next time,

Wishing a week full of joy, kindness, and peace.


PIN AND SAVE ON PINTEREST

If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.



Be sure to follow me @shiplapandshells on the following…

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | LTK | TikTok | Amazon Storefront

Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks

Similar Posts

4 Comments

  1. Lovely! Very happy it is time to enjoy your garden photos again this year. Have fun on your trip, I love Butchart Gardens, we have trekked there twice from Boulder. I have picked out a few spots I feel would be perfect home sites 😄.

  2. Kim your trip to Canada sound amazing, I’m so envious. Your part of the world is so beautiful for sure. Thanks for sharing the garden variety market and happy Sunday my friend! P.S. I just shared your green house in my web stories this morning. We were thinking alike!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *