The Last May Flowers

Today I have more scenes from around the garden to share.  These photos are from the end of May as it's hard to keep up with all the flowers this time of the year.  Above is a 'Coral Supreme' peony in full bloom.  The light in this photo makes it look more pink than coral, but normally the coral color is pronounced.

Here is the west garden as the 'Walker's Low' catmint (lavender flowers) and 'May Night' salvia (violet flowers) reach their peak bloom.  A few 'Pure as Gold' and 'Evening Tidings' bearded iris are also in view.

From this angle you can see the iris more clearly.  They smelled delicious, but by today they are all done blooming.  Many plants will fly through their bloom cycle this week, as we are in the middle of a heat wave with temperatures reaching 96 F today.  My kids are at school without any air conditioning, poor things.

'The President' clematis is spectacular in full bloom.  I hadn't noticed before this year, but its flowers have a pleasant scent.

To the east of the house in the backyard, an unknown Itoh peony blooms magenta above 'Clementine Blue' columbine.  My other Itoh peonies fade quickly, but this one holds its color perfectly well until the petals drop.

This 'Rotlaub' Rodgersia has taken a few years to really get going, but this year is leaves are large and striking.  They are cinnamon-colored when they first appear, then mature to green.  In the background of this shady bed are white bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectablilis alba).  

This is the same bed as the photo above but from the opposite side.  White Lenten roses (Hellebores) have matured to green at front while maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) sways delicately above.  

After attending a graduation party last weekend in a friend's backyard, I had the delightful thought that in coming years (starting six years from now) we can have four graduation parties in our yard, right at the peak of June bloom.  Gardeners love nothing more than visitors when the garden is looking good!