Peony 003 Wm[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=

 
 

And so it begins in earnest.

May. When everything seems fit to burst. Just look at the silky sheen on those peony petals.

 
 

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Papaver ‘Patty’s Plum’

The poppies are billowing out too. A sigh of relief that this one has returned. It fell prey to my overhaul of the terraces last year, I moved it and paid the price.  Now it has several fat buds. Worth going out in the roaring gale last week with a pile of emergency link stakes.

 
 

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Iris ‘Hocus Pocus’

The plant fair season has begun as well.

There are some things that just can’t be left behind on the nurseryman’s bench.  But if ever there was an example of hope over experience then surely this is it. Last year, from the same plant fair, I purchased Iris ‘Death by Chocolate’. And what happened to that? It was in the garden a week. Max. Until the molluscs discovered it and gobbled the lot, leaving only the label sticking out of the ground. They can’t read. Obviously.

 
 

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Geum ‘Flames of Passion’, Lily of the Valley and, rising up from the level below, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’

 
 

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Geum ‘Flames of Passion’

 
 

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Convallaria majalis, Lily of the Valley

The Lily of the Valley is still progressively in transit between the terraces, where it has outstayed its welcome, and the Precipitous Bank. But the move is on hold for now. Partly because I’ve enough other planting to do and partly on account of the scent. This patch in particular is just awesome. The fragrance almost knocks me over.

 
 

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Geranium (variety unknown)

 
 

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Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’

I love this plant so much I’ve just acquired three more. It’s a little different to the typical diminutive geum. It grows to almost a metre in height. But so reliable for me; the original is in its third year now.

 
 

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Euphorbia ‘Black Pearl’

Now here’s a weird one. It’s got Monster From The Deep written all over it. The fact that it seems to attract every fly for miles around doesn’t help its image a jot. But it does have a certain gothic charm.

 
 

Camassia leichtlinii 001 Wm[1]

 

Camassia leichtlinii

 
 

Astrantia major 004 Wm[2]

 

Astrantia major

 
 

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Lewisia tweedyi

From the alpine trough. The flowers are quite massive compared to the size of the plant. 5cms across.

 
 

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Moving up to the bank.. Enkianthus campanulatus

I saw this at Wisley many years ago and fell in love. It was one of the first shrubs I bought for this garden, about two days after the discovery of acid soil.

 
 

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Libertia grandiflora

Grown from seed and now a plant, several plants, a metre high. I never cease to marvel.

 
 

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Rhododendron luteum

On the woodland edge. It’s not a blowsy one. And it’s scented. What’s not to love?

 
 

Epimedium 'Amber Queen' 002 Wm[1]

 

Epimedium ‘Amber Queen’

 

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But perhaps the most spectacular sight is not in the main part of the garden at all. It’s deep within the woodland.

 
 

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A river of English bluebells

 
 

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A little late this year..

 
 

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..perhaps still a day or two off their peak

 
 

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Maybe we should just stop for a while today and take a moment to celebrate May in all its glory.

After all, it’s a year until it all comes around again..

 
 
 

Linking to Carol and Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens (here), where you will find many other May bloomers from around the world.

 
 
 
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