This week has been a busy time for openings. This fragrant patch of Tall Bearded Iris is brightening up the southern side path this week.
Tall Bearded Iris. Passalong from Wave Road neighbor, Henrietta, c. 1977.
Henrietta was our across-the-street neighbor at our previous home on Wave Road in the late 1970s and she shared many of her tall bearded irises with me. Some of her pass-alongs , including this deep yellow beauty, came with me when we moved here 20 years ago this May. I do not have a name for this one.
Tall Bearded Iris. Passalong from Wave Road neighbor, Henrietta, c. 1977.
This soft yellow iris opened yesterday and is another pass-along. My sister-in-law mailed a huge 4 x 4-foot carton of these irises (to our Wave Road house) all the way from Idaho in the late 1990s. She knew them as Japanese Irises, but I haven’t been able to confirm. It’s a sweet, delicate flower, not as showy as the one above.
Japanese Iris (passalong from Kathleen)
I have admired the color of this iris in my current neighbor’s yard for a number of years. When she replanted her entire side border last year I was happy to give it and a few other of her plants a new home. The iris opened just this afternoon.
Tall Bearded Iris. Rescued last year from neighbor’s border renovation.
A second iris opened today, a re-blooming one with large flowers, Iris germanica ‘Immortality’.
Iris germanica ‘Immortality’
Clematis ‘Niobe’ also chose today to unfurl its lovely red petals.
Clematis ‘Niobe’
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ is not fully open but has made good progress today.
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Always the first to bloom in my garden Peony ‘Coral Charm’ has strong stems and rich color. I have had a close watch on this peony the past several weeks, but I looked away a moment this morning and suddenly three flowers had opened when I looked back.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
There is a freeze warning for early tomorrow morning, a little late in the season. I know some of you have or will have snow this week too so there is no room for me to complain. It’s 66 F. this afternoon and has been a gorgeous, sunny, albeit extremely windy, spring day in April.
pbmGarden 
Beautiful colors, Susie, esp. the coral peony and purple iris. I love the subtle scent of bearded iris and am looking forward to mine coming next month. Hope you escape the frost!
Every time I see a beautiful yellow iris I wonder why I only have purple. I need some yellow. 🙂 Mine are about 4″ tall, but I’m glad because we’re getting more snow.
Your blooms are beautiful! Once we get through this Midwestern freeze (after summer-like temperatures in late March and early April!), what’s undamaged will bloom here, too.
Thanks Beth. Here’s hoping your plants make it through this rude weather!
I’m always envious of your Irises, Susie. The pale yellow one is scrumptious. I’m beyond envious of your peony. Given our low rainfall, I’m not holding out a lot of hope that my Majorcan peony, much less the Itoh peony, will bloom this year.
No one ever “passes along” those specialty irises so someday I must invest in them myself. Hope yours will surprise you with nice flowers this year.
I just enjoy seeing your iris, I cannot grow them on my heavy clay soil unfortunately.Your Coral Charm peony is ahead of mine which is still in tight bud, enjoy the wonderful perfume!
Glad you enjoy the irises Pauline. This seems to be an especially good year for them. Funny you mention the perfume of Coral Charm–I don’t find it pleasant like other peonies, but I love the color and form.
You have a really nice collection of irises and it is always nice to remember their history and the people that shared them.
Thanks Judy. I think so too.
So much beauty in your garden now. And amazing colours too. ❤
Thanks. We’re having a nice extended spring!
What beauties! Those irises are gorgeous – a lovely gift from your former neighbour.
what region are you in? My peonies and clems are at least 6 weeks away from blooming (S. Ontario region).
Thanks. I’m in central piedmont North Carolina, U.S. zone 7B.
Okay! I’m in Zone 5, Ontario.
Those Iris are a beautiful way to remember family and friends.
Yes. Sweet reminders.
Beautiful irises and a peony! Wow! Things are moving along quickly in your garden. 😃
Thanks. Yes, suddenly that peony could not be held back. A couple more of the blooms are open today.