I was hoping our cold and wet spring would have deterred the orange-bandeds from flocking our red rhodie this year but, alas, it only seems to have delayed their arrival by a few weeks. They're here now, buzzing and busy and panicking like they'll never get another drink. They do seem to be a little less hysterical than they were last year and I can't hear them through the closed door, but there are still enough of them that I have to duck and run with the hose. I planted some new ground cover around the rocks in the path that leads to the backyard but it happens to be right under this bush and I haven't been able to check on it for days. It might need me.
For now, I'll just take pictures of the pretty rhodie and wait. I could follow the recommendation of a bee guy who once told me to shake off all of the blooms in the middle of the night and sweep away the petals. I thought that was crazy talk at the time but I must admit, the idea is starting to tempt me now. Very anti-gardener of me, I know.
