A Cloud of Pink

The dianthus has burst open!



And the dutch iris continue to provide wonder.

The Dutch Iris take center stage . . .

. . . with their burst into bloom.



The geraniums are also blossoming, and the colors are fantastic.



Next to the geranium a beautiful little campanula is blossoming.



Under the front tree a siberian iris has bloomed.



In the east bed the iris pallida has started to blossom.



And in the back, the pincushion flower continues its show.

May 22nd Update

The main feature of the past two weeks has been approximately 6"/15cm of rain. Combined with below normal temperatures and little sunshine there has been little in the way of activity. The negative is that several plants have not been happy with having their roots constantly wet. I have trimmed back several that wilted under the persistent rain.

The main project for the weekend was installing the front walk trellis between rain showers. Holes were drilled in the concrete walk, and the trellis supports were bonded into place with high strength concrete epoxy.

It adds a welcome vertical element to the front garden





Specific plants have already started to blossom, including salvia "Mainacht" and "Carradona". Also visible are geraniums blossoming as well.



The picture below shows perennial flax and a white version of sea pink blossoming, as well as baptisia.


The opposite view shows the geranium blossoming toward the front of the bed.


The tradescantia "Sweet Kate" has been blossoming for several weeks.


The mixed hyacinthoides hispanica under the front tree are beginning to fade, but still remain colorful.


Surprisingly, one of the "Stella d'Oro" daylilies has begun to blossom. It opened May 20th!


I'm not sure what this flower is, but it showed up in the grass. I have staked it off so I can dig it up after it goes dormant and plant it in one of the beds.


The peonies are ready to blossom.


A bit of a surprise has shown up in the uncut grass around the rear daffodils: several hyacinthoides. They are certainly welcome!

New Beds

The last two weekends have been spent building two new beds.

The new bed in the front completes the beds in the front.



To the left is one of the two climbing roses that will climb the trellis that is yet to be installed. The rest of the bed is a variety of lilies, siberian iris, and by the tree, amsonia and astilbe.

In the main bed the species tulips are finishing up, with the Bright Gems the last to blossom.



Further color comes from the flowering shrubs, an azalea . . .



. . . and the large rhodies to the east of the house . . .



with the dicentra in the foreground.

Finally, work was started on the east bed in the rear . . .



Next week the perennials progress will be reviewed.

May has arrived in the garden . . .

. . . and with it more activity