Iris siberica 'Ruffled Velvet'

A large patch now of this beautiful iris that I bought from Chuck Chapman in Ontario. Behind are the seed heads of a white camas, I bought one bulb some years ago and it seeds about madly.

Cerinthe

This seeds itself too! This time rather battling it out with its bed mate. Who can resist that gorgeous colouring?

Limonathes douglasii

This is a bright spot in the garden every spring. It does seed itself very well but who minds as soon as it is over it is easily pulled out. At its best right now.

Bowles golden sedge

You don't need yellow flowers with Bowles golden grass and his sedge. The grass is best in the spring but with water this sedge lasts well.

Siberian Iris

'Sea Shadows'

Siberian iris

'Sea Shadows'

Granny again

Which one do you like best?

Aquelegia

I have a lot of 'Grannies Bonnets' that seed themselves here and there. Never know which is the prettiest.

Brother James

May I introduce Brother James? My sister's craftmanship. If you sing you will know Brother James Air , his namesake. The peony is the one with the unpronounceable name. P. mlokosewitschii. Received a seedling many years ago from the Count.

Tree peony

Bought two un-named ones in a packet years ago and have been amply rewarded! You have to enjoy them fast! they last for such a short time.

Azalea

I grew this from seed many years ago. Blooming now and the most wonderful perfume permeats the garden. It is the one from whidh the bees make a poisonous honey! I don't know anyone else with this so not to worry.

House Finch

Here is his rosy self, he has been singing here and in the crab apple tree near the door. Then I saw her picking up bits of moss off this old support. I love to hear his song.

Clematis

Each year sees clematis seedlings showing up in the garden. I try to pot them up and see what happens. This is the best one so far. You might think it is C. Miss Bateman, but she has definately pinkish shades in the white but this one is more creamy, like C. Guernsey cream. I have both so perhaps this is the result.

Iris germanica

I don't have very many of the german iris as they do like to have their own place in the sun, preferably alone! My garden is full and everything has to get along, these aloof ladies can't bear to be jostled or overshadowed.

Tulips

There are countless varities of tulips today, we are so fortunate! The fringed ones seemed so novel at first but I am getting to really like them.

Smilacina

Again another local native. A splendid plant in shady places, it is not invasive, it has taken a long time to develope into a reasonable size. The scent is delicate and sweet, no need to dead-head as it turns an interesting reddish brown knobby spike.

Trilliums

I have had a clump of Trillium ovatum, our local one, many years. Here it is just starting. With watering the foliage continues well into the summer.

Erythroniums

Our local natives are lovely in the garden so give them something resembling their usual habitat and they will thrive. Erythronium oregonium and E. smithii, the pink flowered one will cross and there will be varying shades of pink appearing as in this picture.

Parrots

The wind was blowing giving great movement to these Parrots. Tulips if you really need to know. They are flamboyant full skirted ladies in the garden.

Galanthus.

Two distinct patches show up clearly on this snowdrop. 

Galanthus, the beloved Snowdrop.

Usually there are a few at Christmas, or shortly after, but not this year. This is one of the worst winters that I remember. But when the last lot of snow went there were all the noses of daffodils poking through, daylily sprouts over an inch long and the snowdrops. I have about three varieties and like to peer at the markings and try to figure out if by any chance there might be a new hybrid. This is what keeps up the excitement of gardening.