A golden weekend

The temperature on both Saturday and Sunday hit the 70s, making it feel very summery. With nothing on my schedule either day — or any day in the foreseeable future — I spent more time enjoying the garden than working in it. Mark and I sipped tea in the Tea House mid-afternoon and returned to quaff gin and tonics at the cocktail hour. The days were filled with golden sunshine while the garden at the moment is full of every tone of gold. 

The Beersheba daffodils have outperformed themselves this year. I love that little spot of yellow on the back of the flowers, a clue to their creamy yellow trumpets. Eventually the entire flower is white.  

Fritillaria pallidiflora 

Fritillaria thunbergii. This bulb was described as "a good increaser" when I bought five of them in 2015. Today they are large clumps of naturalizing flowers rising in front of Martagon lilies. 

I caged them to protect them from the rabbits, not realizing the flower buds had already been bitten off most of the stems. But even a few of these beauties were worth the effort. The interior is the star of these delicate flowers. 

Erythronium 'Pagoda'

An unknown Primula kisoana with Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'

Hosta 'Fire Island'

This marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) was so sad looking last spring that I bought another, assuming this one would need replacing. I guess a miracle recovery occurred over the winter. 

Peony 'Golden Angel' would never have to flower as its foliage is striking from the minute it emerges. It changes constantly, having gone from red-orange to this blazing coral gold. 

Comments

[Frank]

That sounds pretty good, I wouldn't have minded hanging out with the two of you if that's how you run your weekends!
It's so nice seeing the garden spring back to life. I love that fritillaria thunbergii, and even better to hear it's a good grower. hmmm :)

[Lisa at Greenbow]

So many pretties. I am glad you had time and good weather to enjoy them. You work so hard in the garden you need to reap those rewards when you get the chance. Tea, Gin and tonics sound yummy and what a setting to imbibe!

[Kris P]

My brain briefly short-circuited when I read your first statement about temperatures reaching the 70s making you think of summer. If only! Temperatures in the upper 80s make me think of summer and we're headed to another round with the 90s this week...

But I digress. Your garden is absolutely beautiful even with the bunny damage. (How can such a cute critter be so evil?!) That may be the prettiest Fritillaria I've ever seen, not that there's any chance I could grow it. I hope you get more "summery" weather soon (your version, not mine).

[Loree / danger garden]

I love having a garden destination for "refreshments"... I've been slow to get our patio furniture out and oiled for the season but I think tomorrow's the day. Cue happy hour!