When it comes to June, I think of two flowers. Roses….

And Peonies

This one is called Raspberry Sundae and those two pics are the same flower about half a week apart.

I also have the red one you saw earlier, a white one that’s just about to bloom, and open coral one called Coral Charm, and a mystery one. I think it’s going to be a mid-pink, but it could be another red one I won’t know until it opens.

Like the peonies, there are many more roses to come. And, as many of you mentioned on last week’s garden post, now is the time that the garden starts to explode with colour.

This wild thing is Scottish Broom. It’s a shrub that I planted last year. I was going to move it because, when it didn’t bloom in spring, I thought I had it in a bad spot and that it needed more light. Turns out I just misjudged when it bloomed. It’s just exploded with little pea-like flowers.

Now is the time when the Foxgloves bloom. Though the show isn’t as impressive as last year. Foxgloves are tricky. They are biennial, and only flower in their second year. If the seeds don’t drop and take, you don’t get more foxgloves after that second year. The ones in the catio seem to re-seed pretty reliably, but elsewhere in the gardens it’s hit and miss.

To make up for this, if you have the space, you can start some from seed every year, then plant them out in the fall. They will bloom the following year where you planted them, and as long as you keep doing that you’ll always have a good show of foxgloves. I have the space, and I did start some seeds a few weeks back in one of the raised beds, but nothing germinated. I’m going to try again… and try some seeds snails too, since that worked so well for my other seedlings.

I mentioned before that I have multiple colours of ornamental Sage, and they are all blooming now. The one on the bottom right is a pale blue/lavender, not white. It’s much more obvious in real life – the camera has trouble with it.

I have cat mint (not to be confused with cat nip, which is different, but equally delightful to cats) in two colours – Cats Pajamas (blue) and Whispurr pink (light pink).

Both the Sage and Cat Mint are a big hit with the bees.

There are still a few irises kicking around. Left is Edith Wolford, Centre is Presby’s Crown Jewel, and Right is Frimousse.

The Poppies are still going though that giant coral one and the white ones are almost done. The real show-stopper is the one’s on the bottom. They are actually the same plant. It’s called Central Park and it starts out a rich deep burgundy and fades to that lovely dusty shade.

Under that coral poppy you probably noticed those little dianthans. I bought them last year specifically to put in the new island garden, but they we’re already done blooming and I didn’t realize just how pretty they were. They are taller than the “annual” dianthans i have, and the flower is smaller and more dainty. However, just like the others the plant is smothered in them. I’d love to get some more for the driveway garden.

Most of the Alliums are finishing, but this white one is in it’s prime. I don’t know the name, as it was part of a mix, but it’s more flat, not ball shaped, like the others. Like the others, the bees love it. It’s like a little bumblebee helipad.

All three of the Spiderwort are blooming. I feel like they are much taller this year, and I’m thinking I may have to split them up. I can put some out back with the day lilies, they mix quite well.

Most of the Columbine is done, but this double-blooming “Pink Petticoat” is really shining. It’s new this year.

Both the White clematis, and Golden Flame Honeysuckle are blooming. They both grow up the catio fence and give the boys a little bit of shade throughout the summer.

My Sundrops have just started to open. Soon this corner of the catio will be awash in yellow. They’ve really taken over! (Something I didn’t realize when I planted them!)

And last, this stunner of a Delphinium is shining out in the middle of the front garden. It’s got several bloom spikes, so we’ll be enjoying that bold dark blue for weeks to come.