June 12 is a special day in our family. Today marks 44 years since Hubby and I first held hands as high schoolers on a Stinson Beach fieldtrip (it was the 1970s after all). We didn’t marry until our mid-twenties. Truth be told, I still love holding his hand.
The garden has brought lots of joy these days. What’s not to love about the early June garden? Six blooming garden delights follow.
ONE – There is a reason the peony is often called the King of Flowers. I love all peonies and grow many, but my one tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Kinkaku’ aka ‘Souvenir de Maxime Cornu’ is truly stunning. It’s been blooming for a couple of weeks, and I find myself continually drawn to the patio where it’s blooming its young, apricot heart out in a large pot. Six buds have developed into flowers about 8″ across and each unique. The fragrance is undefinable and heavenly, like the best fruit salad.
TWO – It’s a good year for our small dogwood tree in the center of the perennial beds, a Cornus kousa. This is the first year some bracts have been so clearly tipped with pink.
THREE – My daughter and I had fun planting anemones and ranunculi in wine barrels after starting the corms in greenhouse trays. The blooms continue well into June and are a vibrant mix of hues. Here are the ‘Champagne Mix’ ranunculi from Floret and some mixed Anemone de Caen .
FOUR – I only discovered Astrantias a few years ago, but have become a devotee. They mix well and expand to fill spots in a few of my perennial beds.
FIVE – One of the last rhododendrons to bloom at Coppertop has deep, dreamy tones. I decided to call it Mysterious Wizard since I didn’t like its given name. Ha!
SIX – Our two barrels of Meconopsis betonicifolia or Himalayan blue poppies are starting to fade after a few weeks of blooms. They still wow me each and ever year. A bit like my hubby. 🙂
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