Sorry for all the flower macros, but so much is blooming now! Here’s a flower I don’t recognize. It was 2 or so inches wide (4-7 cm.) blooming on a large hedge near Alki beach (near Seattle) in May, so it’s not Japanese anemone. Perhaps some kind of hibiscus? I love the delicacy of the folds in the petals. Update: It is a Rockrose (cistus laurifolius).

White single flower with orange and yellow center has creased petals

Joining to Reconnect With Nature Wednesday, Orange You Glad It’s Friday, Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Garden Party Thursday, Monday Mellow Yellows, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, and Saturday Show Off. Thank you so much for your visit here first!

This pretty Oregon iris (iris tenax) was growing in front of a little museum near Alki beach, near Seattle. The flowers are about ankle height and the blooms are 3 or 4 inches across (10 cm. or so). It’s a new one to me.

Purple and white Oregon iris

Participating in a new photo meme, Reconnect With Nature Wednesday, plus Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Garden Party Thursday, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Monday Mellow Yellows, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, and Saturday Show Off. Thanks for visiting here and be sure to click around and find something new.

This red rose bud (probably ‘Don Juan”) is my first rose of the season. This particular rosebush is grown from a cutting I took at our last house five years ago, and THAT rosebush was from a cutting that a friend rooted for me when I still lived in California. It’s intensely fragrant. Happy rose season to all my friends in the Northern Hemisphere!

Red ‘Don Juan’ rose on own roots blooms in Seattle in May

Joining up at  I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Blue Monday, Skywatch Friday, Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday,Garden Party Thursday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. I appreciate your visit here, and come back soon!

These hydrangea leaves make such beautiful patterns in the sunlight.

Hydrangea leaves with saw toothed edges and strong vein patterns in the sunshine

Linking to NF Abstract Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Our World Tuesday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, NF Catching the Light Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, Garden Party Thursday, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. If only one photo is visible, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog to see the rest, or at least a few of the most recent ones. Thanks!

This pretty variegated weigela shrub is blooming now in my backyard.

Variegated weigela with pink flowers blooms in May in Seattle

Participating in Pink Saturday, Garden Party Thursday, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, Monday Mellow Yellows, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. How about a new tag or category while you are here? Pink, perhaps?

Just a few short weeks ago, the Japanese magnolia in my backyard was in bloom. This photo is one of my very top faves and I am calling it my weekly Top Shot.

Pink and white Japanese magnolia blossom, up close

Participating in Pink Saturday, Garden Party Thursday, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday,  My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. Try a new tag or category while you are here, perhaps?

Seattle has had rain, and lots of it. We’re normally pretty damp, but this is WET.

Rain-drenched red rhododendron flower

Linking up to Water World Wednesday, Pink Saturday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Garden Party Thursday, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, and Saturday Show Off. Thanks for your visit here, and please come back soon.

A local spot that has live music for dancing most nights, CC’s in Burien, had an incredible bouquet of pink tree peonies on the bar. Each blossom was as big as my head!

Large pink tree peony in a bouquet graces CC’s Lounge in Burien, Washington

Participating at Pink Saturday, Monday Mellow Yellows, Ruby Tuesday 2, Garden Party Thursday, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, and Saturday Show Off. You might try a new tag or category while you are here, or search in the upper right sidebar for a favorite flower to see what comes up.

A friend sent me one of the prettiest birthday bouquets I’ve ever had. I just know the florist was told “make it fragrant,” using lavender roses and purple and lavender stock! What a great combination, and such a festive gift.

Purple and lavender stock, and heavenly lavender roses, in a perfect florist bouquet

More wonderful images at Garden Party Thursday, Seasonal Sundays, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, Blooming Friday, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. You might try a new tag or category while you are here. How about “rose” in the tag cloud at right?

I was lucky enough to receive several gorgeous bouquets for my birthday last week. These white and lavender lilacs with their soft shadows were a show-stopper.

Close up of single-petaled lilacs in a bouquet, in lavender and white

You might check out the images at Garden Party Thursday, Seasonal Sundays, Our World Tuesday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, NF Catching the Light Monday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, Blooming Friday, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. Thank you very much for your visit here today; much appreciated.