Friday, May 15, 2026

Bloom Day - May 2026

I missed two months of Bloom Day posts while sidelined by medical issues.  I'm still recovering, but I was determined to get a post up this month.  My garden isn't exactly up to snuff as regular therapy sessions take a lot of my time, however I've taken a stab at documenting what I could.

The Agapanthus are blooming heavily as usual this May

Arctotis ‘Large Marge' is more vigorous than 'Pink Sugar'

White and yellow Argyranthemum (aka Marguerite daisies) are at their peak

Cynara scolymus, commonly known as artichokes on the back slope 

Echium 'Pride of Madeira', one of 3 Echiums I currently have in bloom

Globularia x indubia (aka globe daisy), beloved by bees

Hippeastrum flower on an irregular schedule.  I've noID for this one but it's naturalized in my garden.

Leonotis leonurus, aka lion's tail

Leucadendron salignum 'Blush' - not a true flower but it looks likes one

Leucospermum Royal Hawaiian 'Brandi', the flashiest Leucospermum in my garden (so far)

NoID Pelargonium (left) and 2 Pelargonium peltatum (right) aka ivy geranium)

Flamboyant Salvia canariensis var candidissima


The cutting garden still has spring flowers (soon to be replaced with dahlias).

Consolida ajacis, aka larkspur

Lathyrus odoratus, aka sweet peas

NoID Gladiolus


There are also a host of dependable long term bloomers:

Clockwise from upper left: Grevillea 'Superb', 'Peaches & Cream', 'Scarlet Sprite', and G.sericea

Cuphea x ignea 'Starfire Pink' and a noID orange variety

Hemerocallis 'For Pete's Sake' & 'Spanish Harlem'


I've thrown several other flowers into a final collage for final measure:

Top Row: Alstroemeria ‘Claire’, Callistemon viridiflorus, and Lagurus ovatus (aka bunny tail grass)
Middle: Centranthus ruber, Oenothera speciosa, and Felicia aethiopica
Bottom: Chrysocephalum, Gaillardia 'Desert Flame', and Gazania 'Spin Top Copper Sun'



That's it for this month's survey.  Many thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day each month.


All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

22 comments:

  1. Wonderful to walk through your blooming garden with you Kris!

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    1. It's a little raggedy at the present, Loree, but it'll come back again eventually!

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  2. An amazing amount of flowers, I keep being drawn back to the Globularia - I wish it was hardy up here!

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    1. It's a resilient plant here, although the turn a bit gray as they age.

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  3. I scrolled back and forth several times trying to pick a favorite. I couldn't, although I admired the purple glad. You have such an extensive display. I just planted out my two cuphea plants this past week so it was nice seeing them all ready for your area hummingbirds.

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  4. You may have missed a couple of bloom-day celebrations but your garden doesn't seem to have missed a beat, displaying its usual abundance with gusto.
    Globularia x indubia is absolutely darling! My own sweet pea, sowed directly in the ground, germinated but it will be a while till I get that delicious perfumed blooms. Your NoID Gladiolus is gorgeous and last but not least: Callistemon viridiflorus is a favorite, always.
    Chavli

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    1. The timing of my sweet pea blooms tend to be very unpredictable here, Chavli. At least they've come through this year - after our early heatwave I'd feared they were goners!

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  5. I like the gladiolus. I think I’d like to try some. I suppose I’ll have to wait awhile. I grew 13 agapanthus plants using seeds instead of rhizomes from the plants you gave me years ago. They were started indoors under lights. It took a couple of years but they’re out front flowering now. Perhaps I can do the same with gladiolus instead of buying corms.

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    1. I'll try to remember to save you some of the gladious corms - once you have them they're hard to get rid of them!

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  6. So many beauties, and many that I can't grow. If I could just grow one, I think I would choose the Leucadendron. They are so dramatic.

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  7. Your garden is putting on the show you've planned and worked for. That's got to speed your recovery along!

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  8. Gorgeous Kris, your garden is awash with blooms! The globe daisy makes me think of fuzzy socks, so cute. Leucospermum is crazy good. I love the soft yellow of the alstroemeria & callistemon.

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    1. Thanks Tracy! The Globularia makes me think of fuzzy socks too ;)

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  9. Kris, your May flowers are gorgeous, and I'm so glad you're feeling well enough to post on the blog. Here's to a gentle and beautiful spring!

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    1. Thanks Pam. Best wishes with your home search!

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  10. You've put so much thought and effort into your garden over the years, you're now reaping the rewards. Your garden looks fantastic, even with you sidelined :-)

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    1. I've lost several large potted plants within the last couple of months due partly to inattention - it's harder to keep up at present but I guess that poses new opportunities!

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  11. It is good that things are moving in a positive direction and that you are able to share your beautiful garden. I love all of your beautiful blooms and the Agapanthus is especially amazing. Sending best wishes to you that your recovery keeps going in a positive direction. Happy gardening!

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