It's about time for a gut check of the season to date. As I write, a few drops of rain are falling. If the weatherman is correct, it will be his best offering in the last several weeks.

Even if that doesn't play out, this has been an exceptional season to make transplants in the garden. On the other hand, seeds have been a tad bit slower to come up. A good rain would ease our immediate fears that we might be looking at a dry season. Of course, a bit of restraint on the rain front compared to last year would be good.

The cooler and drier than normal spring has made planting very pleasant and spared our new transplants the additional shock that comes with high temperatures. Of course there are a few losers in every scenario. Plants that like it hot, like vinca, tropical annuals and vegetables like peppers, vine crops and eggplants, may be waiting for warmer temperatures before they jump into action.

As I look at my own beds I see the normal crop of weeds waiting to be pulled, together with a number of unfinished projects. I can't complain, because that always describes my garden.

But there are some notable highlights. One is a fringe tree that is blooming now. I picked it up at the Conard Pyle charity sale several years ago. I haven't heard much about that this year yet, but would bet that this Saturday will be another wild day for flower shoppers there.

The fringe tree is Chionanthus virginicus. It will get up to 10 to 15 feet tall and around. The stem structure offers winter interest. The flowers are greenish yellow white and seem to dangle. Blue berries that attract birds follow the flowers.

Another highlight is a limelight hydrangea whose flowers from last summer were attractive all winter. So attractive that they are still there. It was kind of neat to view last years tan flowers surrounded by new growth. I don't know what to do now but will most likely behave in my normal fashion and do nothing.

My guess is that the new growth will overgrow the old flowers and hide them by the time the new flowers appear. Limelight is a paniculata type hydrangea that reaches six to eight feet. Unlike most hydrangeas, this group will take full sun and our winter winds and be quite happy.

It is my guess that the wave of once a year or casual gardeners is about to recede at your favorite garden watering hole. On your next visit the staff may look a bit weary but the crowds will be smaller.

My guess is that plant selection will remain better than normal for this time of year as the season got off to a slow start. This will be a good time to ask the questions that didn't get asked because of the crowds in early May.

As and if the rains come, the serious gardener can settle into a long enjoyable season. For those thinking about perennials, the easiest way to build a perennial garden that blooms all season is to take your budget to the garden center or greenhouse and add a few blooming perennials each month throughout the growing season.

Your garden care may put mine to shame today but the rush is slowing and I will soon get there. Look out then, I have big ideas.