I have a cold, mostly over the worst part of it, but this post will consist of a photo heavy reminder of April (into early May) garden flowers. Or at least the one's I managed to think to photograph.
The daffodils did well, they didn't mind a bit of chill, or a long cool spring.
It has also been a good year for the Irises. The first to bloom were the tiny iris cristata:
Then the iris unguicularis
and their neighbors, the iris techtorum:
The first of the tall bearded iris started blooming about the same time as the first of my peonies. This one is an itoh peony, named Clara Louise.
I have another Clara Louise across the front yard, that gets its sun an hour or so later in the morning, and has perhaps an hour less sun; it blooms about a week later and the flowers are a slightly deeper pink.
The Siberian iris, 'Caesar's Brother' has been blooming, along with the cranesbill geraniums. The oldest plants, bloomed first, but these iris have been blooming for about 3 weeks now and new buds are still opening. This bed is hidden from the street by the wall, but it greets me even time I open my front door. The geraniums will bloom throughout the summer and are guaranteed to make me smile.
The landscape roses have also burst into bloom in the last week. Apricot drift.
and white Meidiland
The second tall bearded iris has opened, this one a deep red. Both of these irises were purchased as dried up and shriveled specimens in an end of season deep discount bin. I didn't know what I was getting, or if they would grow. Both have become a pleasant surprise.
In the back, the peonies and azaleas were earlier in the spring and I did not get photos. But the fringe tree is looking glorious this year (along with my garden tools and beds in progress).
And last but not at all least, also in the backyard near the driveway and the back deck, iris versicolor 'John Wood'. With Garbo.
