We are at an interesting time out in the garden right now. OK, all times are interesting in the garden but I needed a solid introduction and thought the preceding sentence would cover it.

Moving on.

As the weather has warmed up significantly this past week, so have many of the plants made significant strides forward.

Like these peony blooms:   

With plenty to bring indoors as well:

The first blooms have emerged on many of the plants.

Ninebark ‘Diablo’:

Geranium ‘Brookside’:

Iris ‘Ruffled Velvet’:

An unknown Lilac I have virtually no memory of planting last Autumn:

Veronica ‘Royal Candles’:

Spirea ‘Snowmound’:

Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’:

 

And there are some others that are holding on to their fading blooms for dear life.

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’:

Amsonia tabernaemontana:

Iris versiclor:

And others who are just about ready to strut their horticultural stuff.

Astilbe ‘Amethyst’:

Astilbe ‘Deutschland’:

Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’:

Or foliage putting on good amounts of growth.

Cimicifuga ‘Pink Spire’:

Eupatorium ‘Gateway’:

And yes my friends, the ornamental grasses are making an impact.

Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’:

Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’:

 

However, with the more extreme temps, we are now starting to see some flaws in what was originally our wonderful fresh and clean spring growth. It is inevitable but that doesn’t mean I have to like it and accept it.

Dwarf Russian Sage not so happy:

Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ a bit stressed perhaps:

Monkshood adjusting to its new home:

The recently transplanted Purple Coneflower volunteers sulking quite a bit:

F’n rabbits nibbling on the Northern Sea Oats ‘River Mist’:

A bit of everything going on right now. Enough to excite, keep me on my toes and frustrate all at the same time.

But no complaining here.