German Americans make up almost 25 percent of the US population. It was 1608 when the first immigrants arrived, with those following mainly hoping to improve on the way their life had been "at home", and their work and lives have had an effect not only in America but worldwide.

With each season's arrival it's "makeover time" for Germany's window boxes. From spring bulbs and flowers throughout the year, colorful plant and flower filled containers are everywhere, from door stoops and window ledges in narrow shaded streets to trailing down from apartment block balconies.

The Christian festival began with Palm Sunday and Easter and ends with Pentecost and Corpus Christi, celebrated in German speaking areas with a colorful mix of religious, secular and pre-Christian traditions, ranging from devotional processions to decorated oxen.

German immigrants to the USA made a huge contribution to its culture, economy and technology. From introducing Santa Claus, founding breweries, popularizing ketchup, producing Presidents to establishing banking, industrial and philanthropic dynasties and designing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Germany's different regions follow many of their own traditional, sometimes unusual, wedding customs, but throughout the country May is the most popular month to get married. Age old traditions begin weeks before the ceremony and celebrations can last for days.

Sweet Woodruff is the scent of early summer, and added to White Wine makes May Punch, Maibowle, a favorite May time beverage in Germany which joins the months other festivities and customs. Its season is brief but perfect for those first warm spring and summer evenings.