I’m taking a break from edibles today to showcase some of the things we have blooming here in late May. We have a lot of irises planted here, and while most of the bearded ones are done for the season, we do have a few late bloomers showing up now. Red Velvet Elvis is a Louisiana Iris with large red flowers is one of them.
Red Velvet Elvis iris
And Concord Crush is a Siberian Iris with ruffled violet-blue flowers. It is a stunner for sure!
Concord Crush iris
While the irises are fading out, the hardy hibiscus are just beginning to flower. Luna White is a short variety with large white flowers that have bright red centers. More varieties should be blooming in a week or two.
Luna White hibiscus
And some of the coneflowers are beginning to bloom as well. This short red flowered one was the first bloom this year.
Panama Red echinacea
We have quite a few spiderworts planted, and they have been blooming for a few weeks now. They come in all different colors, and the bees seem to love them all! One of them came from my wife’s house before we moved here, and another came from a friend. We also have several named varieties we have added over the years. Each bloom lasts for just one day, but is quickly followed by more.
purple spiderwort
spiderwort covered in blooms
Ocean Blue spiderwort
We have a few annuals planted here, especially petunias. Butterflies love them, and they provide a spot of early color in many spots. Shake Raspberry is a new variety and a 2025 AAS Winner. Misty Lilac Wave is a long-time favorite of mine that has pinkish flowers with splashes of white. I grow the petunias in containers, and they provide color for us all summer long. Easy Wave Burgundy Star is a new favorite, and I have it planted in pots on our front porch.
Shake Raspberry petunia
Misty Lilac Wave petunia
Easy Wave Burgundy Star petunia
And we have one ‘surprise’ plant blooming now. When my wife and I visited our friends Steve and Sharon in Alabama couple of years ago, we brought back a ‘mystery’ plant we found when we were helping renovate one of their flower beds. Sharon couldn’t remember what it was, and while the leaves looked familiar I couldn’t place it either. But as soon as I saw a flower bud developing on it this year, I knew it was a Red Hot Poker plant (Kniphofia). I had trouble getting it to grow before, but this plant seems to have happily survived its move to Happy Acres!
Red Hot Poker plant
I hope you have enjoyed this look at some of the blooms of late May here at Happy Acres. I’ll be back soon with more happenings!