I just returned from snapping some photos around the Lot for today’s Bloom Day. After a gray, chilly weekend and week, yesterday it began to warm again with some lovely spring rains. This morning has been overcast, giving this gardener great lighting to record in photos what is blooming in the garden.

There hasn’t been much change in blooms for the South and Southeast beds of The Lot. I did get a great shot of some raindrops on one of the classic, red tulips though!

There has been a lot of development on the East side of the Lot. The rock cress is blooming, along with some labrador violets from last month. The bugleweed is setting buds right now. The epimedium is beginning to bloom. HOWEVER, I was quickly distracted from all flowers by last night’s raindrops on the Lady’s Mantle. LOOK AT THIS!

It happens to me every year when the perennials start to reemerge. I fall in love with this plant all over again. In the photo above, the Lady’s Mantle is snuggled up with a Masterwort. In the photo below, it’s hovering above that Bugleweed ‘Chocolate Chip’ I mentioned.

Moving into the back garden, here is the bleeding heart in bloom. Everything about this plant is so visually delicate.

Here are some grape hyacinth poking up between some columbine foliage. Tricksy!

Here is another trying on some lamb’s ear foliage.

In a sunnier area of the backyard garden, the dwarf irises are just beginning to bloom. I have these little ones right up at the front of the border or they get quickly lost among the other plants. The blooms don’t last too long, but I enjoy the small, spiky foliage for the remainder of the season.

Here is a larger shot of the same bed. The geranium (cranesbill), more tulips, and yet even more grape hyacinth are blooming.

In a shadier, raised nook of the back garden, the second Epimedium on the Lot is also blooming.

Here’s a closer look at the blooms.

A peek at the other side of that raised bed. The primrose is still going strong and looks nice with the geranium in the back.

Here is Jack and his crew. Jack in the Pulpits are such cool plants. There are a ton of volunteers this season, pictured in the bottom right of the photo. While they are still small, I’m going to attempt transplanting them this season.

Jack in his snappy-looking pulpit.

The woodland poppies planted in the shady, damp area beneath the lilac are still blooming. The lilac just began opening.

Detail of the lilac blooms. It should be sunny and warm this weekend, so I’m sure the back of the garden will be smelling of lilacs.

Here is the Other Half’s favorite type of flower… the one that will bear him food. It’s the first strawberry bloom of the season.

This gardener is in such a better mood on this Bloom Day than the last one. Be sure to check out May Dreams Gardens to enjoy what’s blooming in other gardens around the world!