from soft pastels to bright red blooms

You only thought you had seen the last of this bucket of peonies, right?
You probably remember the bucket from the lilac post too.
I picked it up not long ago for the purpose of gathering flowers from the garden
in and then transfer them to vases,
but they never seem to make it into the vases.
I can be a very lazy stylist when it comes to photographing anything.

Here are more of the lilac photos I took this spring when they were in bloom.
The last of the lilacs finished blooming a little over ten days or so.
I have lots of different varieties, and that extends my bloom time some.

I always say I wish they bloomed all summer, but then wonder if
they would mean as much to me if they did.
I'll take them when I can get them...along with the peonies.

  

The lupine and iris are beautiful this year. 

These deep purple iris are just finishing up this week. 

I love how tall this one is.

It stands to almost my shoulders and makes 

quite a statement in the beds.

It was given to me by a professor from Idaho State 

University when he and I served together on the governor's  

state board for children with disabilities. 

In his time away from instructing, his

hobby was breeding lilacs and this is one his. 

  

 ~and now for the bright red part~

I have many favorite poppies in my garden, but this one below

has got to be at the top of the poppy list. 

It's name is Beauty of Livermoor and has amazing height for a poppy,

 and while it doesn't hold it's color long, it is gorgeous while it does.

  

It's difficult to establish in my garden for some reason, but once it does

it's a show-off!

 

 In one spot in my garden it reaches 5'. In others, it stands about 4 1/2'

So cool!

  

Every day there's something special out there to take a photo of 

or cut and bring into the house.

As you can guess...there's very little house cleaning getting down around here.

hugs from here

peonies already??? really???

This garden in the mountain west seems to be about 3 weeks ahead 

of a normal year.  I've never had peonies by the middle of June!

but---I'll take 'em!

 a pretty reflection in the the mirror on the pine cabinet

 

My peonies usually bloom around the 4th of July or so. 

Last year, I had to move several to sunnier spots in the garden

and didn't expect many blooms this year, but I was able to 

pick a couple of large buckets of them to photograph.

I will share a few more photos of them in the next post along with 

more of the lilacs photos I haven't gotten posted yet.

(yes, I still have more lilacs)

Everyday I get out in the garden a take photos of what's blooming,

but never seem to get a post done. I always think I will get on top of things,

and never seem to, but I may just surprise myself (and you) and get another 

post done soon.

Have a wonderful week everyone!!!!!!