Peony parade

Readers that have been following along know that the white peony is one of my favourite subjects. It's made Image of the Month several times. There are other peonies that have produced some spectacular photos, although not making the top of the hit parade. Sometimes the competition is pretty steep from non-floral subjects.

It's early going yet, but there are at least 12 peonies on the go this year. Some are new and barely putting out any foliage. It takes them a long time to settle in. The red and white peonies were some of the first flowers Linda planted, more than 30 years ago. (How is that possible??) They seem to like it there, after sulking for the first several years.

So here we go, starting in the front patio on Sunday afternoon. Linda is looking over my shoulder to give me the names, where she can remember. So many flowers, after all. Bola Beauty.

Gay Paree

Scrumpdiddleyishous. 

Danse de Feu

Bartzella

The famous white peony (Festiva Maxima)  is putting out many shoots, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the blooms. It missed being image of the year by THAT much one year, and it's safe to bet it's going to try again. Some of the ant photos that happen here are pretty good too.

The red peony (Peter Brand)is the same age, and produces a lovely dark red bloom. The problem is that particular red has been very difficult to properly capture on camera. I'll be working on it this year.

A new peony that's doing quite well in the bed beside the house. Sorry about the netting, the bed has tulips. Duchess de Nemours

This one is a few years old now and beginning to settle in. The blooms are quite pretty, but getting a nice background is difficult. Doctor Alex Fleming.

The tree peony is just getting started after several years of sulking. The other one Linda planted at the same time appears to have died. Souvenier de la Malmaison

Duchess du Lorraine getting used to the back garden bed.

The Sarah Bernhart in the back yard has a spectacular ruffled white blossom. I've got some ideas about repressing the plants around it to get nicer photos. It could well be in the hunt for an image of the month.

Of the Day

Driftwood

Celina, and sort of an artsy abstract if you look at it the right way.

Actually artsy

Flower