May and June's heat and rain have produced lovely garden flowers (like the gorgeous peony, above).
Let's take a little tour and see what's blooming!
In the front and back, dainty coral bells (Heuchera brizoides x) hang on long twig-like stalks. If I had lots and lots, I would cut them for a vase.
A lovely white-flowered shrub (that is very under-used) is the Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis). I have it in the front garden but would recommend it to anyone as a filler shrub that looks great in early spring.
The perennial Geranium macrorrhizum is terrific ground cover with a bright pink flower and variegated leaf.
Over the years my Globe Allium have spread. They are from the Onion family and are so interesting, I try to use them in as many floral arrangements as I can.
The 2004 Perennial of the Year, Painted Japanese Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') blooms in a small dark spot near my back gate.
I once ripped the perennial cornflower out when it spread like crazy but then missed it so badly, that I dug some out from a friend's garden and now I have it again.
Even though they only get early morning sun and live the rest of the day in fairly deep shade, my David Austin "Mary Rose" blooms! Amazing, eh? It is one of the loveliest plants I have. Can you believe it? I found it one year at Fortino's.
The tall flag Iris can be prone to borer, but this great yellow one comes back strong year after year.
2 Viburnums that have escaped a bug that's eaten my common cranberry bushes are Marie's Doublefile Viburnum and Viburnum plicatum 'Popcorn'.
And the hosta 'Paul's Glory' as well as many others are full size and impressive.
