Monday, May 31, 2010

Royal Peony and Iris Festival



I have only been to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton once, which is a shame because this beautiful garden is a short forty minutes drive from our home. 


This past Saturday, I dragged my dear husband out into the heat to take in the RBG's Peony and Iris Festival. We arrived around 10 am and already it was hot enough to fry and egg on the pavement. 


We were greeted by this wrinkly old gentleman, who was strolling through the crowd of garden lovers in search of a shady spot among the flowers.






The first beds we came across contained Siberian and Japanese irises interspersed with other perennials.



Cedar Hill Poppy (Papaver orientale)



Mixed Perennials

The sunlight was dazzlingly bright, but we did manage to capture some of the most beautiful irises.



Odyssey Bearded Iris


Violet Delight Bearded Iris


Fern Fraser Bearded Iris


Gypsy Romance is a rainbow of purple and cream colors.

The peonies were amazingly beautiful. I be hard pressed to pick a favorite, although this classic pink would be a definite candidate.



Rose Queen Peony


You could easily get lost in a study of the folds and curves of  its petals.


The A La Mode Peony was just as exquisite in its simplicity.


 Cora Stubbs Peony


If you have a chance, I recommend a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden's Peony and Iris Festival. You won't be disappointed!


3 comments:

  1. Oh, these are just beautiful. I was there once, many years ago. Your photographs are lovely!

    I checked out that evergreen euonymus you mentioned, but they all seemed to be for zone 5. I'm in 4a here. Do you think if I did something special to it it would be okay?

    I do have some taller plants coming along behind like monkshood and foxglove, but something for the winter would be nice.

    Thanks for taking the time to comment.

    Diane

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  2. You got some lovely photos of the blooms at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting.

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  3. I have never been there but wow .. it would be wonderful ! The timing for the iris and peony is earlier this year (I think) because of the hot weather forcing them sooner ? . I have only one peony "Blaze" a single red with an intense yellow center .. I was able to get out yesterday only for minutes to take pictures of the iris(Siberian form .. sadly I am not a bearded iris fan .. just don't like the structure .. I like wild looks ? LOL) in any case .. I hope to post today .. I had to take them in shade which does not show off how gorgeous they look .. like your pictures which are beautiful !
    Thank you for the tour : )
    Joy

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