Clematis

The clematis in the backyard this year is FINALLY growing into the shape I've been training it to.  The eventual goal is to have them grow onto the large tree trunk that's along the fence and covered by the beautiful purple flowers and foliage.  

I never know how to prune back clematis during the off season (Fall?  or Spring?).  So I did a little bit of research on the "inter-web" and found some useful links:

http://www.raymondevisonclematis.com/main/guidesPruning-simple.asp?a=1

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/clematis-pruning-guide.aspx

Also, I've been trying to figure out what kind of clematis this is as it was planted by the previous owners of the house.  After some research, I think this is the common "Clematis Jackmanii" - purple in colour and four-petal configuration.  

Strawberries

Spring and Summer had a late arrival this season, so did the strawberries in our yard.  The strawberry blooms didn't start until almost the end of May...

The fruits finally started to form after Memorial Day.  I used the plastic bird prevention net and ground stakes again to help protect some of the crops, knowing that it'll probably be a light year for strawberries this season, so I had to protect whatever we can get.... 

Finally, first strawberries ready to eat on June 10th.  It didn't help that it's been such a rainy Spring/early Summer, that some of the fruits started to rot before they were even ripened.  

I'm still extremely thankful that I got to enjoy fresh strawberries from my own backyard.  Even though they are not the sweetest strawberries, they are so much more fragrant than the ones from the store, which makes the perfect for SMOOTHIES! 

Colour in nature

Beautiful colours - all from nature! 

Rain, rain, and more rain....

Although not preferred by people, Spring rain is extremely good for plants... and water/dew drop photography! 

I love how the water drops are beaded and suspended on leaves and branches...