Paeonia rockii

Well this year the beginning of May is hello time for the first of the Peonies.  My favorite is probably the species Paeonia rockii shown above.  It’s named for Joseph Rock, an early 20th century plant explorer.  There are many hybrids derived from this tree peony.

Actually the first Peony to bloom for us is Molly the Witch.  Although it doesn’t have the yellow color that the Mollys are famous for, it’s still a very pleasing flower.

Molly the Witch (Paeonia mlokosewitschii)

The next one in line is another species Peony, Paeonia osti.

Paeonia osti

And then we have two herbaceous species.  One is Paeonia obovata.

Paeonia obovata

And then a larger flowered, stronger growing version, Paeonia obovata var. willmottiae.

Paeonia obovata var. ‘Willmottiae’

Both of these are characterized by lovely foliage and large, exotic-looking seeds on into the Fall.

And then we have the larger, well-established tree peonies.

Pink Tree Peony

Pink Tree Peony

Other highlights right now are the Moroccan Poppies that overwintered in the Alpine Bed.  

Morrocan Poppy (Papaver atlanticum)

I had no reason to expect that these would be evergreen all winter and then come on like gangbusters as the season progresses.

Morrocan Poppy (Papaver atlanticum)

Next to them are several Lewisias.

Lewisia cotyledon hybrid

Lewisia longipetala ‘Little Peach’

Also in the same bed is the Pink Betony that I am absolutely loving this year.  It is feathery to touch and abundant in it’s flowering.

Stachys lavandulifolia

In one of the troughs at the front of the greenhouse the Gentians are doing what Gentians are supposed to do.

Gentiana acaulis

In another trough a campanula (whose name I have forgotten) is having pronounced bloom out of the tufa rock with Viola pedata nearby.

Campanula? out of tufa

It’s worth noting that this is also the time of year to be grabbing seeds to share with other gardeners in the seed exchanges.

Harvesting Adonis seeds

Eranthis seeds

I was also very pleased to see that the Jack in a Pulpits had moved further up the slope of our backwoods toward the house.  Two more clumps were found at least 70 feet further up the hill than ever before.  I’m amazed that they spread so fast.

Jack in a Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum )