Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Yesterday was warm and sunny; today, is very different, only 46F., windy with hard rain at times. Today during an early morning lull I took a quick walk around the borders, coming away with garden views distinctly dissimilar to yesterday’s.
Nodding in the breeze with birdsong as backdrop this stand of Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine) is one of many that has self-seeded all around the garden.
The first Twin Sisters / Cemetery Ladies (Narcissus x medioluteus) were beginning to open yesterday.
Twin Sisters / Cemetery Ladies (Narcissus x medioluteus)
Twin Sisters / Cemetery Ladies (Narcissus x medioluteus)
Irises continue to awaken around the garden. This pinky, peachy, sometimes orangey one in the foreground is Iris germanica ‘Raspberry Blush’.
Iris germanica ‘Raspberry Blush’
Iris germanica ‘Raspberry Blush’
Iris germanica ‘Raspberry Blush’
The first peony to flower each year at pbmGarden is always Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’. Its first bloom came out yesterday looking perky and fresh, and today is drenched.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells) are leafing out, making a nice contrast to the green of hellebores and emerging tansy nearby.
Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells)
I am quite partial to phlox and adore this Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox). It has been nibbled heavily in the last several years and am happy to see its return.
Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)
Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)
Polygonatum biflorum(Solomon’s seal) is hidden by hellebores and irises, so when I remembered to look it was already in bloom.
Polygonatum biflorum(Solomon’s seal)
Polygonatum biflorum(Solomon’s seal)
With a couple of buds showing color, Virgie’s Rose is a passalong from my mother’s first cousin, and is one of many plants she shared with me through the years. The deep purple in the left background is a nice grouping of Iris ‘Crimson King’.
Virgie’s Rose
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll leave you with a closer look at I. ‘Crimson King’ yesterday basking in yesterday’s sunshine.
Iris ‘Crimson King’
pbmGarden 
What a joy to tour your beautiful garden in its full spring glory, Susie. The German iris are luscious! The raindrops add a lovely freshness to your photos. ❤
Thanks for touring my rainy garden, Eliza! There are more irises poised to open soon.
Wow! Your garden is absolutely beautiful, Susie. The peach Iris took my breath away and the peony puts your spring display over the top.
Thanks Kris. It’s been a strange spring so far but when the irises open I feel happy. That Raspberry Blush iris is poorly named I think but it’s having a moment.
What a wonderful selection you have shown us, they are all amazing! Love your peachy iris, just wish I could grow them but they don’t like my wet soil!
Thank you Pauline! These irises are getting a good dousing of rain this weekend. Hope they won’t mind too much!
I wish that aquilegia would self seed in our garden. It only lasts a few years here but I love it!
Oh, that’s too bad Malc. I’ve only had success with this native aquilegia. It died the first year of the garden’s existence. I replanted in a different spot and sometimes regret it, but mostly I love it. The color combination of the flower clashes with almost everything in my garden.
My perennials are about 1″ out of the ground so these photos are balm for this gardener’s soul.
I imagine you’re quite ready for winter to recede Judy. The good thing is those perennials will catch up quickly. I feel like plants here are opening at funny times. Kind of a crazy spring.
Your garden has really filled out. When I lived in CT, that aquilegia grew wild. Of course, they do not like it here.
I have the impression CT is a wonderful place to garden. Cooler than NC but when I visited once in midsummer it felt very familiar to here.
The winters are cold. Actually, I think you are in the ideal place. Yours and others’ blogs I have seen from your area seem to be able to grow a nice selection of northern plants and southern ones as well.
Gorgeous, Susie. I love the raindrops. Have you been mulching? The garden looks refreshed.
Yes, had help getting the garden mulched early winter. Lost so many plants last couple years, I feel like I’m starting over. Fun, but never enough time. Sending healing wishes your direction.
If you are starting over it looks great already.
Is that several plants of aquilegia, Susie? It certainly makes an impact, and your borders are filling out nicely. Peonies already too – no doubt appearing in a vase soon! Your Raspberry Blush is such a curious colour (but not even a hint of raspberry!)
Yes, there are several groups of aquilegia all around the garden. We’re expecting frost tonight so hope all the plants hunker down well. That “raspberry” iris is an oddity in name; perhaps it was labeled incorrectly or someone just has a sense of humor. I’d expected a very different color.
Hope the frost was minimal, Susie. Our current weather monitor is linked to an app on my phone and I have learned that at this time of year when there is a frost the temperature has generally only dipped for a very short period, although I am sure that won’t always be the case
The rasperry iris is especially pretty Susie. Everything looks lush and healthy in your garden. Here it takes a bit longer for foliage to recover from the cold. That little phlox is lovely too – I must look that up. 😃
The garden is starting to fill in. After lots of rain this weekend the weed will be wanting to take over as well. Glad you like the Eastern Blue Phlox. I wish it would spread.