This year there has not been and will continue not be any new gardening happening around The Urban Porch. Maybe a few pots of plants on the actual porch, but nothing going on in the yard. There is no weeding going on either. Whatever is established, those perennials are going to be doing their own thing without aid or enhancement. I am letting it go and going with it. Honestly, lately I’ve been a little bit fried not only physically, but in the decision-making department.

Because of some waffling spring weather and a late frost, some of the usuals have not been as abundant, but most have made a return and still provide pleasurable contemplation. After the previous post I’ve needed to catch my breath, rise up from the deep and go on sort of an appreciation autopilot – just falling into the detail and beauty of blooms here and there, feeling it but not thinking about it. So for this post it’s mostly photos – I invite whoever to come along and get lost into them, either mindfully or mindlessly – flowers, up close and personal.

This salmon Dogwood is finished now. Every time I have walked past it I can’t help but stop to inspect it up close. The petals are always a little bit ragged, part of the appeal – kind of a boho chic dogwood.

The creamy delight of the Peony! Yes, that’s singular – so far only one Peony – but what a Peony it is, with accompanying ant! There may be two more if they don’t get wiped out by any future rain. Extremely fragrant, even for one. Isn’t it beautiful?

The Siberian Irises are almost finished. I am so drawn to them, enjoying royal purple superimposed against the weathered fence.

They make a strong presence growing along my neighbor’s white picket fence too. Throughout the seasons it is always a joy to stroll the sidewalk past their house.

This year the Milkweed has made significant spread. I gave away many Milkweed seed pods last year to provide for the Monarch butterflies. They are just starting to bud now.

It is a poor showing for the Baptisia this June. Choked by weeds and not as high as usual, I am still able to admire the beauty of a raceme.

There is only one yellow Iris! Celebrate the one!

And here’s a white Iris, which seems to have been relocated to another part of the garden bed, most likely courtesy of the squirrels.

The lilacs were missed this year because I could not get down the street where they grow to enjoy them – why that happened is perhaps for another post. But I managed to catch the very last pieces of blooms hanging on just north of here, right before they finished – still good for a few heavenly inhales. Even in their decay they were lovely.

There are candy-pops of Spirea filled with bees. The odd spring did not seem to affect its growth at all.

The sunny Primroses have become rather invasive. As a matter of fact they have choked out my stash of mint and crowded the Baptisia and Comfrey. Maybe next year they will be pulled out, but for this season they are free to be.

There were a lot less Poppies than usual, yet still a treat that lured passers-by.

Following their completion, leggy tangles of Spiderwort have taken over the poppy patch. They will probably get mowed down when I get around to it. But for now their tiny fuchsia colors are eye-catching.

Salvia creates spikes of texture which attracts the bumble bees.

Lamb’s Ear is poking up next to the Salvia. They tend to show up in different areas of the yard every year and make purplish-mauve spikes.

Another that has spread around the porch is Eastern Bluestar. If I was more driven I would dig some up to give away. As mentioned, no ambition, just drifting.

In the shade behind the house, attractive textures. I’ll wrap up this post by sharing some foliage residing in the cooler shadows. We are overrun with Ferns.

The surfaces and structure in these Hostas leaves always draw me. It is the natural waxy coating on the leaves that gives them those ocean blue-green hues.

And finally, Solomon’s Seal, which has also spread around the borders. The droplets of flowers are finished but the striped leaves glow in the shade.

Sometimes it is nice to float around and not have to think too much, to find yourself immersed in the depths of petals, stamens and stems. That’s all I’ve got for today. From my messy, rampant garden, I give you flowers.

~*~