Deutzia, Lavender, Roses & Honeysuckle

Our two and a half metre (eight-foot) Deutzia scabra has awakened from its slumber. When a bud loosens up a bit before opening into gorgeous double blooms, the distribution of rosy colour mimics lips smudged with lipstick. This was the bush that for seven years I whacked to the ground thinking it was a pesky weed. Two years ago, for some reason I forgot to raze it to the ground yet again and surprise, a beauty was born. It has graceful, drooping branches, interesting sepals, moderate fragrance, and attractive bark.

The below photo shows the bottom of the vase-shaped bush. Not captured by my camera is how it splays out towards its top like a huge vessel overflowing with numerous blooms.

Because of that, it cosies up to anything close by, like Queen Elizabeth roses . . .

. . . and bearded iris foliage . . .

 . . . and just-beginning-to-bloom lavender.

Constellation upon constellation of flowers, delicate but sharply cut like paper art, present a stunning display.

If they weren't stylish enough, nature decided to go all out and cap them with snug, suede, olive-green sepals.

I still haven't been able to identify this quartered, huge, deeply fragrant, glowing coral rose.

This variety of honeysuckle has violet and white flowers when freshly opened.

However it starts out as elongated, magenta buds and ends up as deep-ivory with spent pollen.

À la prochaine!