In amongst all the plants that are flowering at the moment, there are three that stand out. One because it is so fleeting, one because it is appreciated as the last of its kind to flower for this year and one because it is so generous with all its flowers.
The first one is beautiful Paeony mlokosewitschii in the front border.
So beautiful.
……but so fleeting.
It is such a shame the flowers don’t last longer, but she is gorgeous while she lasts!
My second one is my last narcissus to flower.
Narcissus Actaea with its perfectly marked little trumpet.
Worth buying for its perfume alone.
My last beauty is Epimedium Amber Queen which has so many flowers this year, in spite of only being a couple of years old.
There are so many flowers in this photo, with lots more buds to open.
I just love the flowers, just like jester’s hats.
Those are my three beauties, I hope you agree that they are really beautiful.
We are having wonderful weather at the moment. Have I done any gardening today…..no, it’s far too hot , I have been sitting in the shade with a long cool drink and a good book, how about you?!
Hi Pauline,
They certainly are beautiful flowers. Peony are one of my most favorite flowers. It’s amazing to me how white Narcissus can be and your Amber Queen is so unusual and fun.
It’s overcast here, today with rain in the forecast. I did get some great photos of what’s up and blooming in my gardens and am relaxing inside for the rest of the day.
Our hot spell is coming to an end Sally, it was lovely while it lasted! Peony mlokosewitschii is my first peony to flower, I think she will appreciate the cooler weather from tomorrow.
Three true beauties. Molly hasn’t bloomed for me this year, her leaves are curled up and I think she must have been another victim of The Beast.
I worked in the garden but it was a struggle. We’re not used to this heat! I’m on a deadline, needing to get an area cleared for imminent workmen. And was it in the shade? Of course not. Now all I want to do is sit and rehydrate.
Let’s hope that Molly recovers Jessica, a couple of my leaves aren’t looking too happy, but the rest of the plant is ok. I’ve had another day of relaxing in the shade, the cooler weather forecast will suit me better, today was also too hot to work.
Yes, lovely beauties, this last of the narcissi to bloom is the most elegant. Amber Queen is my favourite epimedium and Molly is a true aristocrat. She has gone over very quickly this year.
Molly is still flowering here, but I think she will appreciate the next few days as it is supposed to be quite a bit cooler. The narcissus are so beautiful with their pristine whiteness and stunning perfume. Amber Queen just has so many flowers, it is amazing!
Three beauties indeed Pauline. I have long thought to purchase Paeony mlokosewitschii but never see it in the nurseries here, in fact I have never seen this plant in real life, only read about it! Narcissus actaea is delightful and I just love both the foliage and the flowers on epimedium. We are also having our first really hot spell and everything is just taking off!
I think I ordered my “Molly the Witch” from Beth Chatto’s nursery, a long time ago Denise, I’ve never seen it is a garden centre, I think you would have to try a specialist nursery. Our hot spell is due to end very soon, so back to normal where the temperatures are concerned, maybe I will be able to get more work done!
Love the peony! I planted one a few years ago and it STILL hasn’t flowered! I keep checking it for buds, but I think I will have to wait another year! Amber Queen is my favourite Epimedium. Your plant seems to be very happy in your garden!
What a shame that Molly isn’t behaving for you Cathy, you haven’t planted it too deep have you, they like shallow planting. Amber Queen seems very happy indeep where I’ve planted her, absolutely covered with flowers.
I do love the simple form and clear yellow of that Peony. And I was visiting Lurie Garden yesterday and it is full of blooming ‘Actaea’!
My Actaea are flowering as never before Jason, far more flowers than usual. I don’t know if it was all the rain last summer which made the bulbs swell or what, but I like the result.
Beautiful flowers beautifully photographed. The epidemium reminds me of tiny little spiders in a dainty web!
Thank you Jane, I agree, the epimedium flowers do look like little spiders!
Beautiful! My irises are not in flower yet and I lost all my epimediums. I will look at yours instead.
Nice to hear from you Anne. My iris aren’t in flower yet either, but soon will be from the buds that are showing. How strange that you lost all your epimediums, I thought they were tough old plants.
I agree wholeheartedly! I love peonies…the petals are always so graceful…and this pale yellow is certainly a winner. No Actaea for me, however, so I will have to admire yours from afar. I can only grow early-blooming types because of the shade, so the bulbs have time to regenerate before emerging tree foliage blocks the light. I’ve had good luck with epimediums this year and would love to find Amber Queen…she looks like dancing stars!
Amber Queen just gets better and better as the days go by Marian, none of my other Epimediums have anywhere near as many flowers. This is planted in the deep shade of the woodland so I hope you manage to track it down someday.
Oh….I totally agree, all absolute beauties! Good for you relaxing with a good book and enjoying your delightful garden.xxx
Back to gardening Dina, now that the temperatures have dropped quite a bit, I just couldn’t work in that heat!. Strange how some plants stand out from all the others around them isn’t it.
Definitely beauties, Pauline
Thanks Cathy, the peony has now finished, she was so fleeting, but the other two are still flowering beautifully.