We had a milder winter for the 2019-2020 season, but it brought a few unexpected surprises. A kiwi vine that had been doing really well up to last summer, was dead. I didn’t see rabbit damage, so I have no idea why it was done.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dead-Kiwi-683x1024.jpg)
I have had terrible viburnum beetles on the high bush cranberry bushes, for several years. I figured with the mild winter, the bugs would be really bad. But the bushes have come back with a flourish, only a few bugs, which I have controlled with insecticide. There have even been blooms.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Highbush-Cranberry-2020-1.jpg)
The Korean Spice Viburnum was full of glorious blooms! And the scent – oh my!
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Fragrant-Viburnum-2.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Fragrant-Viburnum-1.jpg)
And this iris! I bought it last year, and planted it, and promptly forgot about it. Until it bloomed! And then I remembered, and it is so much nicer in real life than the picture in the catalogue.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Iris.jpg)
I have had this honeysuckle vine on this trellis for about 20 years. It has never really bloomed due to various issues, but here it is this year!
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_5412.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_5407.jpg)
So pretty, and wonderful as it drapes on the trellis.
Every gardening season has its share of disappointments, so it’s really nice to get some unexpected lovely surprises too!