Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Bearded ladies and early arrivals

I have some beautiful bearded ladies blooming in my garden, in multiple places.  This is one of the first blooms to open and shares company with the columbine and the fragrant white iris in the back garden.
The one below, just beginning to open,  is in the front border surrounded by many others.




I planned this bed so that the Spring blooms would be primarily pinks and whites 
with some nice foliage mixed in.
Husker Red Beard Tongue
Azalea
Pittosporum
Igloo Doublefile Viburnum
White Indian Hawthorn
But our warm winter and early spring encouraged the summer residents to make an early appearance.  The summer blooms are all hot colors  - like this.
Arizona Sun Gaillardia
The coreopsis is beginning to bloom, too, but it isn't as much of a misfit.  
In fact, it brings out the yellow in the irises. 

I'm enjoying these early arrivals, even if they aren't color-coordinated. 
I don't think I'll ever complain about blooms - and I don't think the bees and butterflies will, either! 

For the origin of the irises see this post from last April.

9 comments:

Southern Lady said...

Ginny, your garden is lovely. I have had a couple of irises bloom and a snowball bush. It is so wonderful to see my garden waking up from winter! Carla

HolleyGarden said...

I just love bearded irises. Most of mine are already finished blooming. Yours are beautiful.

Donna said...

Ginny how wonderful to see so many of my fav blooms in your garden...with a bit of a warm up I think we may see them soon too...I am still surprised at the brave plants growing so early

Indie said...

Very pretty! My Dutch iris and Bearded iris just put on a show altogether that finished sadly so early. We had a bout of hot weather, though, which they probably didn't care for. I love the foliage on your Husker Red Beard Tongue!
I'm eagerly waiting for my coreopsis to start blooming, as once they start, they don't stop!

Stacy said...

Viburnum always looks so beautifully pristine, with those snow-white...bracts? and crisp, crinkly leaves. I love your iris/columbine colors together--the gaillardia is definitely ready for you to be done with softness and spring, though!

Beth at PlantPostings said...

Gorgeous! Bearded Irises are so regal! And they're great cut flowers, too! Beautiful combinations in your garden!

Daricia said...

i absolutely love the colors of your irises! so watercolor-y and gorgeous. i just planted husker red penstemon this year. i hope i don't have it in too much shade. the red foliage is such a nice contrast to all the other leaves and flowers.

Alistair said...

Your Iris and Columbine look stunning, and what a treat to see Gaillardia in April.

Cat said...

Nice iris blooms, Ginny. Many of the iris in Austin didn't bloom this year. Your spring garden is beautiful!