Garden Tour June 14th, and Squirmy Cat

We had two very cold days, but today has started out promisingly. I know that my perennials are a little behind schedule. Normally my darker pink peonies would have been in full bloom and they aren't yet, but there are still lots of lovely blooms here and there. Let's take a walk:

We will start on what we call the front porch, although it is actually located at the side facing East. This tree was gifted to us when we first moved in twenty some odd years ago. It is kind of like a lilac tree, but it's not specifically a lilac. The bees and butterflies love it. Purple sandcherry is spilling in at the side, too. I love sandcherries but they are short lived. I have one that is totally dead on the other side but is almost impossible to dig out without crushing plants around it.

The bees love this tree and I enjoy watching them. They are extremely tolerant of me taking their picture.

These "white" peonies are the first to open. They start out looking very pale pink, then inside the blooms you can see a bit of yellow and pink as well. I literally sink my face in them and breath deeply.

I used to have many more patches of irises than I do now. I got tired of the grass growing up amongst them, so I dug many out. Irises are their best when you look at the up close. There are so many intricate details.

The name of the purple plant in the foreground escapes me (salvia?). I'm sure someone will remind me.

Weigela - forget the specific kind - but you can't go wrong with this shrub! (Also, that's another word I always have to look up the spelling of - weigela. I always want to put "ia" at the end.)

Spiderwort - terrible name for a beautiful plant. This one is just starting to open. I've divided and transplanted to various locations around "the grounds" (sounds fancier saying that).

Opening soon! This is a darker pink peony. It's about a week behind schedule.

This rather washed out pale yellow iris isn't much for colour, but it does help to break up a sea of green.

Iridescent blue centura in front of a Hansa rose which is just starting to bloom.

I have very few of these irises left. I think, perhaps there are two patches. They are bigger than most irises and are a gorgeous meaty wine colour.

Silky soft pale pink peonies.

Finally, it wouldn't be much of a garden tour without a friend to come along with you. Scooter won't sit on your lap, and prefers to be outside rather than in, but he's a mighty fine roller and squirmer. Yes, you can pet his belly.

I imagine these pictures set up like an old fashioned flip-book, where you flipped the corner of a book between your thumb and first finger to create motion. He's rather difficult when you want to take a picture of him. Also, Rian, if you are reading this, he is the one that I think looks a lot like your stray cat that you've shown in your blog, although, from this angle, it is likely hard to tell!