Mid-spring unfolded quietly this year, after vegetation came back to life all at once.
The season’s perennials are getting ready for the first flush of bloom, and judging by the abundance of buds, it’s going to be spectacular.
What blooms now?
Peonies, Turk’s cap lilies, irises, cranesbills, coral bells, beardtongues, clematis, alliums, columbines, lilacs and last, but best, roses.
Herbs will not be put to shame either, lavender, rosemary, chives, and sage put up their own show in May, on even footing with the other flowering perennials.
Many of the shade plants bloom in mid-spring, gracing north foundation plantings and surrounding deciduous trees with their delicate flowers, plants like astilbes, foam flowers, vincas, lily of the valley, Solomon’s seal, bleeding hearts and lamium.
Did I mention the peonies? They are the quintessential May flowers, and look resplendent in the spring garden with their abundance of large, fragrant flowers. They have a relatively brief season, but what a season!