Getting Back to Normal

As the weather has been getting back to "normal" for spring/beginning of summer there has been more of this happening:




This lovely Blue Moon clematis has been blooming on the gazebo.




The pond iris are blooming.

























This yellow tree peony came up with one blossom.

























Red Charm peony is blooming its head off.





















Still some columbines blooming. Most of these we started from seed a few years ago.

































The flag iris are still blooming; most out front and some in the back garden.






















Kim catches me contemplating the garden. You can see Chelsea under my seat and my glass of wine on the side arm. I was updating my garden journal.
(The wine helps.)










And Kim gives Tootsie a little lovin'.

From Spring to Summer

Well spring seems to be past us now and all of a sudden we're heading into summer.

I managed to spend some time actually gardening today and I couldn't believe all the plants that are blooming right now. How did this happen? It all seems to have been in the past few days.



The iris are coming into bloom out front.

They're looking and smelling great.
















And along with them the Blue Flax are brightening the front garden.




Onto the back garden....












A few columbines are showing their pretty faces.














The bluebells I planted last year.




















and alliums, bluets,























amethyst in snow,


















Fireworks clematis,















early daisies,










and the tree peony has bloomed and gone.




(There are also plenty of weeds which I won't bother showing you. I suspect you've seen a few too many of those yourself.)



We've lost a few plants this year. We suspect it was due to the cold snap we had in early December. One of the hydrangeas didn't make it along with our ligularia and a tree peony. The wisteria vine we've had for years is just starting to open a few leaves. We're hoping it recovers but it should be blooming now.


My Golden Chain Tree is actually blooming so I'm excited that in the future it will come around and become a "real" tree someday.


The garden has just been full of all sorts of birds today; blue buntings and goldfinches along with some I couldn't identify. I didn't manage to take any good pics but I really have enjoyed watching them and hearing their sweet singing.







Happy gardening everyone. Hope you're enjoying the beginning of summer.