Transitioning to late spring in the garden.

Red Tree Peony Boreas (Paeonia suffruticosa). Named after Boreas, God of the cold North Winds. I'm not sure how rich red and pink hues would make one think of winter but there you have it. 

Kerria japonica (Pleniflora) is a new edition this season. Its a member if the rose family but has no thorns. It has been celebrated in Asian art and literature and has quite a history. The 15th Century samurai, Ota Dokan, who served the Hojo Clan spoke of it.

Liberty Hostas have been a great performer. They're a little pricey but well worth it. They really standout in the garden. Our little trick to make them so large is to stick a houseplant fertilizer spike at the base of the stem when they emerge in the spring.

Azalea Exbury Gibraltar bloomed beautifully this season. The rich orange color is an odd sight in spring so it stands out against green very well.  These are quite fussy but worth it when in bloom. It a took a few years for this one to settle into its location.

High Noon Tree Peony put on a show this spring. This isn't the best picture due to an overcast day.  The yellow petals are much brighter and the color is very rich.

Clematis Nelly Moser finally reached the top of the fence and squirrels immediately started eating the blooms.

We planted a pink climber, Rosa High Society, a few years ago and it just sat there. This year It came alive and produced a few blooms. It's the pink bloom mixed in with Mock Orange (Philidelphus).

Speaking of Mock Orange, this is how they bloomed for us this season. Tons of flowers and a nice light fragrance. This is an image of two plants about 10 feet apart. Simply beautiful.

Sunny Knock Out Rose (Rosa Radyod) was added last season and has started to bloom. The flowers can be white, yellow or somewhere in between. Rose purists frown at patented commercial roses but they bloom heavily and are carefree. Whats not to like?

Love Delphiniums but they can be temperamental. They are not to fond of our humid summers. So far these have done well this season. The Delphinium elatum Pagan Purple was first to bloom. It's blue cousin is ready to bloom this week.

Scotch Broom Lena (Cytisus) survived the winter snow and is starting to bloom. The first bloom heads flopped over onto the grass.