Poppy, Iris, Allium & Sage in the June Garden

Making the northwest corner of our backyard into something beautiful has taken several years (since 2013) and plenty of false starts and transplanting.   But this year it's finally looking good to me.  Alliums have been the stars for the past couple of months.  First 'Purple Sensation,' then 'Globemaster,' then 'Ambassador' (the tallest ones blooming above), then Allium christophiii and Allium schubertii.  'Millenium' alliums are just starting to open this week to continue the allium show into July.

In this side view of the main NW bed, short A. christophii are blooming at front.  One spike of a 'Masterpiece' lupine is on the right.  I need more - the color and longevity of this Westcountry hybrid are amazing!  The 'Royal Purple' smokebush leaves echo the lupine to provide sharp contrast to all the shades of green foliage.

Here is a closer shot of a 'Masterpiece' lupine as it finished its long bloom cycle.  'April Night' salvia blooms at left of the photo.  Obviously the salvia didn't bloom in April.  This spring was an odd one.  After a mild early winter, snow covered the ground from the first of February to the middle of March.  The early-blooming perennials that would have started growing in slightly less cold March temperatures waited until the snow melted.  Then a few warm days started the June-blooming perennials growing until May and June flowers all bloomed together instead of in a long procession.

Another side view of the front of the NW bed.  The firework-esque flowers of A. schubertii are at front left, while purple-tinged leaves of a 'Berry Awesome' hibiscus are opening just behind.  Spikes of 'Caradonna' salvia stretch upward at right.

I can't remember if these iris are 'Mer du Sud' or 'Rippling River,' but they smell amazing and need support so the sprinklers don't topple them.  I like the way the little 'Boulder Blue' fescue grasses look with the blue-violet iris above.  A hosta planted near the tree at the back of the photo died over the winter, but that left room to set a bench there.  It's a great spot to sit and admire the rest of the garden.   A baby 'Harlem' poppy shows its first flower at right of center.

Here is another view of that 'Harlem' poppy bloom with A. christophii at front.  I love pink poppies!

Perennial 'Medallion' poppies bloom on the backside of the NW corner with more 'Caradonna' salvia and 'Totally Tangerine' geum. 

Oriental poppies are kind of fussy, as their leaves go dormant after blooming and leave a bare spot in the garden.  But their giant tissue-paper petals are so lovely while open.

In this view looking back toward the gate, a 'Kansas' peony is about to pop open at front.  Matching 'Dusseldorf Pride' armeria bloom along the path.  And those lovely bearded iris are at center.

A quick photo of the NE corner sports an interesting color scheme with cobalt 'Venice Blue' veronica and chartreuse leaves from a 'Neptune's Gold' eryngium, 'Diane's Gold' brunnera, and a chlorotic foxglove.  The sweet soft yellow flowers of 'Banana Daquiri' geum are finishing up their bloom time at right. 

The view from the SE corner looking north looks lush and green.

The east backyard garden is fluffy with leaves and a chartreuse froth of lady's mantle flowers.  This morning I set up a black metal arch over the path in this area.  It matches our black metal birdbaths, benches and obelisks.  I'll share photos later.  It will look better when the clematis grows over the top, but I love it already!