With summer officially upon us, one wouldn’t expect to find many traditional spring flowers still hanging around. But if you walk among the forested trails of some gardens, you just might be surprised as to what’s still blooming. Back I went to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden to view a few species that recently came into bloom, namely the Giant Himalayan Lily and a lone Bigleaf Magnolia bloom (Magnolia macrophylla). The bloom is as big as my head and its leaves are the largest of any simple leaf tree indigenous to North America.
Magnolia macrophylla
The other main reason I went to the garden was to view the Giant Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum), which normally blooms in June. They grow up to 12 ft tall and have a heavy fragrance. The many, clustered white and red blooms are located at the top of the tall, thick stalks.
Giant Himalayan Lily
As well, the lovely Japanese Irises are in full bloom. Here’s a sample.
Most of the Rhododendron garden species have already died away, but I managed to find a few still blooming.
In the Rutherford Conservatory, I found these pretty, yellow Rhododendron rushforthii blooming. They are a species native to Vietnam.
Back outside, here is a Red Magnolia that took over 20 years to finally bloom! Not sure of the species name, though.
In the Victorian Stumpery are many different species of ferns. Here’s just a sample. The first two images are of Woodwardia, commonly known as Chain Fern.
An under view of a fern species exhibiting spores
Chilean Hard Fern mixed with delicate Maidenhair Fern
Here is Arisaema consanguineum, also called Jack-in-the-Pulpit, or Cobra Lily. The leaves at the tops of the tall, slender stalks resemble a palm tree.
Here is a bright, yellow Daylily (Hemerocallis)
This beautiful Japanese Stewartia tree (Stewartia pseudocamellia) is in full bloom.
Mahonia is sporting its clusters of blue berries, now.
Elecampane (Inula helenium) loves the bright sunlight. It’s related to the Sunflower and other Daisy-like flowers.
All images property of Peggy A Thompson
northwestphotos 
Giant magnolia, giant lily, cobra lily?
You are indeed the flower lady
You come across some of the loveliest and most interesting variety of flowering plants in your travels. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Gunta! Glad you enjoy them! I’ve gotten to know this particular garden pretty intimately and visit it quite often. There’s always something blooming, either inside the conservatory or outside, in the main garden. I’m always keeping on the lookout for something I have never seen in bloom before.
They all look like spring is delayed, until you get to the sunflower. thank is a reminder of summer, and is actually farther along than our are.
Most of the spring blooms have died, but in the shadier areas with a bit more moisture is where the blooms tend to last longest or bloom later than others.
Great photos! It’s helpful to see which rhodies bloom latest for our own garden planning. That Stewartia tree is one I’ve oohed and aahed over.
Thank you! A lot of the rhodies in this garden are exotic types from all over the world. It is a unique garden in that it contains the largest collection of rhodies in all the world. Many of the species have been hand collected by the owner, himself.
All so beautiful but that lily in particular is gorgeous. Thanks for bringing a touch of sunshine into my wintery Melbourne Monday. 🙂
Hello, Miriam! So glad I could bring a bit of a lift to your winter blues. I can only imagine all the varieties of plants and flowers in your part of the world that I will probably never get to see. Must be lovely!
It’s certainly different that’s for sure. I guess that’s the beauty of blogging, we can share our worlds.
Glorious flowers!
Thank you! Glad you enjoy the photos!