The stream beds and shrubs

Spring just too cold for them perhaps? Mine were covered. We had a mild winter though.

Looks like a good apple year up here lori.
Loads of blossom, no frost kill, mostly pollinated and setting well. Why does the blossom on fruit trees vary so much from year to year??

I think you're right, Karen...we have had nights in this past week where it was close to zero (3 degrees) and back in April we had very little warmth, so buds were skinny and few. It didn't help that it was a very lean winter for the poor deer and they ate a lot of the fruiting spurs right off the branches. Yet about 60 kms. away from us the orchards are looking good!
I think it's like a tightrope act, Marianne~! You need enough warmth for the buds to develop, rain and sunshine in proper amounts..and just enough cold to keep the bugs in check. It doesn't help matters when the deer chew the twigs and branches. I took a really close look at the apple trees today and of the 6 closest to the house, only one has blossom and its really sparse.
Something is wrong with my lilac (syringa) it has stunted blackened leaves and the blossom is dropping off the tree! Hope it doesn't spread to the apple trees. not sure if its fungus or insects. Last year there was lots of blossom and fruit...the deer are really going to be hungry next winter.

Could be a nutrient deficiency lori or blight..insects?? What lilac is it?

I have inherited a gorgeous lilac, a Syringa microphyllia, one i had never seen before, she is just beautiful and the fragrance is so strong i can smell it during the night wafting up and in through my bedroom window, yet it is about 7m away. Will try to post pic this week.
Project house is beginning to reach end phase, carpets being laid upstairs this week. Reckon end july all finished and i can get my hands on and dirty in the garden again, joy! Definitely last time i have anything to do with building or restoring a house!!

It takes over your life, doesn't it? When it's all done I'm sure you will be happy to put your fingers in the soil again. I wish I had more energy...I have so much to do and when I'm faced with something like this lilac I just throw up my hands! Honestly, I haven't done any looking yet. the lilac didn't last as long as it used to but I gave it a viscious pruning last year and I wasn't expecting much. (Just hope it wasn't something that I transferred via pruning shears!) Will let you know when I find out. I love their scent..it's springtime.

Yes isnt it just lovely that scent, but my s.microphilla is one step up, so happy to have inherited that beauty. If you like and they are hardy up your way- which i think they are- i cld send you a cutting after it finishes flowering. I posted some photos, but for me it is the smellllll