Tulips in a tree-you're kidding right?

If you've never been lucky enough to see a Tulip Tree in bloom, you are certainly missing out. A tulip shaped, beautifully colored flower on a tree. This is the third house that I've lived in that has one (I planted one at the last place but moved before it was mature enough to bloom) and this tree is also the largest. The problem with the larger tree is that I almost missed the blooms this year. The tree is so tall that the blooms are not at eye level, heck, they almost aren't even within arms reach. Yesterday evening I just happened to notice petals raining down and looked up and there they were.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Yesterday evening I took a picture of this unnamed lily bud and this morning it had opened up. It is a real beauty. Very bright and colorful. It is growing beside a large Goldmound Spirea, which is also just starting to bloom.

Sedum sarmentosum

This Graveyard Moss Sedum is taking off like crazy. I just plunked this face down in it a little over a week ago and maybe next week I will have to move him again as he will be completely buried. I am going to dig up a good portion of this sedum and plant it on the hillside in "The Wilds". The Wilds isn't mowable due to rocks and bricks scattered about and sticking out of the ground.

Centaurea cyanus

My wheel barrel is just starting to bloom. Beautiful purple Bachelor Buttons that were winter sowed. The other side has purple Poppies and purple Balsam, but they aren't budding up yet.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

If you are a collector of ferns, the Japanese Painted Fern is one you should have. A wonderful lighter green with purple, it really adds some interesting color to the shade garden. I have a couple of these and they are fantastic!