First Peony Bloom

The Itoh Peony looks good:
 photo peony3167_zpsf7a7cdcb.jpg
I thought the burgundy color at the base of the petals would match the foliage of the adjacent Japanese Maple.  Which it does, but the yellow and burgundy combination doesn't thrill.   Would pink have been better?  Too late now. 
 photo peony3161_zps2348c906.jpg Also in the Big Glamorous Flower Department, I finally get a satisfying photo of 'Yves Piaget'. This is a tough one because the petals so often are a messy muddle. It doesn't have the symmetrical perfection of a 'Prospero' or 'English Garden' so it usually photographs like a big wad of bubble gum. Not this time! photo yves3081_zpsda23ea84.jpg
Elsewhere, blooms continue to multiply.  The first day lily scapes appeared this morning. I've been watching for them.   photo yves3089_zps27ce9262.jpg
Aloe 'Hercules' is taking hold. Taller than me by the end of Spring, I predict.  It projects bold strength, doesn't it?   photo yves3090_zps0c8ab618.jpg
The side rosettes on 'Blue Glow' are developing bloom stalks of their own:  photo yves3096_zpsed48d47b.jpg The flowers on the main stalk prepare to open.
Based on what I saw on other blooming 'Blue Glow' it's not very self-fertile.  Perhaps pollen from another plant would do something.
 Anybody got any Agave pollen? What would make an interesting cross? 
 photo yves3098_zps7dc071a9.jpg
Enough of all this computer stuff, back to work!  The garden is waiting.

Comments

  1. Beautiful peony bloom! I love the color combo. Your roses look fantastic.

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  2. I am so jealous of your aloe hercules, you still can't get them in the UK.

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    1. Well I am so jealous of your Echeveria 'Compton Carousel' which we cannot get here (yet!), so there, we are even! :)

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  3. That view of your roses is absolutely breathtaking! The froths of bright color and green foliage climbing up your neutral stucco house and walls - just lovely! You may yet seduce me into becoming a rose lover, Hoov.

    I dub that photo "Big Glamorous View".

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    1. Well, roses are pretty nice, really. Why not try one?

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  4. (And I was so overwhelmed by the roses, I even forgot to squeal over 'Blue Glow's side rosettes.)

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  5. That is a beautiful peony. I didn't realize they would grow in southern California. I didn't know about the Itoh type of peony until I read your post.
    I wonder if it would grow in the San Joaquin Valley. I tried a 'Festiva Maxima' which supposedly didn't need so much winter chill, but it didn't make it. I wonder how the Itoh would grow here? I see that Monrovia sells them. Or maybe I should just resign myself to looking at the pretty pictures!

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    1. It should do even better for you as the Valley is colder than here come winter. We never went lower than 45 this winter. It's looking just as good as when I planted it last year--so far, I'm pleasantly surprised. Time will tell if it declines or not.

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  6. Your peony is wonderful. I really prefer the single and semi-double, and the color is so satisfying. And your stand of roses is so abundant and colorful!

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  7. I always pause when Hercules is offered for sale, as it's been recently this spring, but sensibly must walk on by. Truly mythic size. I love how so many great plants are finding a home on your slope.

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    1. Well I wasn't sensible at all, I bought two. Must decide soon--remove the baby Oak and replace it with the 2nd Herc on that front slope? Decisions about big trees have serious consequences. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about it.

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  8. The peony is really beautiful, such a lovely colour...your rose garden looks magnificent.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  9. Your third image of the roses and your home is swoon-worthy. I think we'd like roses more here if rust and fungus weren't so fond of our wet weather. I grow some because there's nothing quite like roses but I only grow bushes that are disease resistant as I put the spray can away years ago! Beautiful peony, aloe, and ... well, everything you post is gorgeous!

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  10. Consider me swooning at these beautiful pictures!

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