Tree Peony deluxe...
It’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for May and what could be better to lead off this posting than a Peony that has never flowered for me before. I’ve had the above Tree Peony for a number of years but it’s in a sort of shady spot and has never yielded a blossom before. And I’ve no idea what variety but I was entranced to see how pretty it is. I’ve cut off some overhanging branches and I hope to see further blossoms in the future. It’s been a particularly good year for the peonies. All of our Tree Peonies have bloomed at this point – purple, pink, white and yellow. It’s been a feast for the eyes…
Purple Tree Peony
Light Pink Tree Peony
White Tree Peony
Even without flowering the Tree Peonies are special with their elegant foliage that is a multi-month pleasure. In between the Tree Peonies and the normal Herbaceous Hybrids are the Itoh Hybrids. I bought several a few years ago in small size (I’ve seen blooming sized versions priced at $100, although the prices are coming down). Anyway they never bloomed before and we had to make do with their lovely foliage. But this year they are all coming in with flowers. The first two are shown below. Beth has put one in the downstairs bath so that we give it full appreciation.
Itoh Peony 'Julie Rose'
Itoh Peony 'Singing in the Rain'
Singing in the rain is so appropos.
I can see that I’m not going to have time to mention all the flowers in bloom right now but a few special ones of note include the Lady Slipper Orchid ‘Gisela Pastel’ and a few others that are first time bloomers for us.
Cypripedium 'Gisela Pastel'
Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica)
Exbury Hybrid Azalea 'Klondyke'
And then there are a few of the favorites for this time of year.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Japanese Roof Iris (Iris tectorum)
Clematis 'Waterfall'
Alliums, Centaurea, and Salvia with a backdrop of Buttercups
Bearded Iris 'Fatal Attraction'
And in one final note, even though the vegetable garden is hopelessly delayed by the frequent rainfall, the strawberries have had a field day and we are harvest beauties right now…
First strawberry 'Earliglow'
John,
The clematis waterfall is something! Enjoyed all of these photos and the roof iris was stunning, much more colorful than the ones we grow here.
That Clematis is out-of-this-world! Love the shot with the Allium, Centaurea and Salvia…great!
I am glad to see the Itohs. We started carrying them at work last year, and I didn’t think anyone would buy them at the price. I’ve been proven wrong, in spades.