It Starts

It's Tree Peony time; those bare woody stems of a few weeks ago [link here] are beginning to burst with saucer sized blossoms. The luscious pinks are always the first to open, followed by the deep magenta and then the yellow. Though I'm not certain of the yellow at all after last winter, but it's still alive.

The first tree peony blossom, 2015

ready to burst open, tree peony, 2015

Looking towards the back, tree peonies, alliums and for-get-me-nots, 2015

Peony Hearts and Fireflies

Walking about the garden late last night, I saw the first fire flies darting about; so of course I am hoping this is the start of a great season for them. In my mind they are always aligned to the summer solstice, that midsummer night of magic. In the distance, thunder is rumbling and I am also hoping for rain; soft, gentle rain, please, as the lupines are blooming around the pond. During the winter I read a lot of garden books and often gardeners talk about planting allées. Usually that would be trees but I thought lupins would be just fine. And they are until the 1st heavy downpour, when, en masse they dive into the pond. The tree peonies have let their petals go, heart shaped as they lie on the ground, their blossoms finished for this year ,while my very old fashioned garden type varieties are just opening and they smell divine.

Heart Leaf, tree peony

Fast Forward

On May 4th, I took the first photos of the tree peony, its leaves tightly curled around the bud and yesterday it blossomed. In spite of all the rain it opened and unfurled its flower in a space of a few hours. I love watching these miracles in the garden. You go to bed, rain sounding on the tin roof, thunder and lighting making a fine racket, Zoe trying to sleep in the cupboard where she feels safe, and when you wake up and go outside the iris and peonies have bloomed. And it's not a dream.

Stages of a Tree peony

Budding

While the past few days have been miserable; cold and very wet, with snow on the mountains last night, the growth in the garden continues at an amazing pace. A few days ago the scilla were at their peak and when I went out this morning the rain had flattened them. I find I can't bear to miss a day in the garden, things happens so quickly. The budding on the trees and shrubs is creating auras and all the bones are soft and hazy. Views are being hidden as plants swell and burst forth. Last year my 2 older rhododendrons finally flowered. I hate it when you bring home something from the nursery and plant it and watch it sit there for the next 10 years, so with the rhodo's we have had many conversations over the years and it's gratifying to see that they have come about to my point of view.

Horse chestnut, tree peony, rhododendron, ferns