After an extended period of cool and rainy weather, the end of spring appears to be in sight. The 10-day forecast for the Upstate shows high temperatures between 80 to 87 degrees F and only an occasional chance for an afternoon thunderstorm.

In my garden, where shade dominates, winter and spring are the primary seasons for blooms. Even still, there are a handful of flowers worth sharing now.

‘Summer Beauty’, a hybrid of Acanthus mollis and Acanthus spinosus.

Chief among these is Acanthus ‘Summer Beauty’. This hybrid plant was chosen for a feature spot near the front door, where its attractive foliage adds year-round interest. Bloom spikes, which began to appear about 6 weeks ago, now stand 5-feet tall. Along each stalk, white blooms peek from under a purple hood (calyx).

Blooms of Summer Beauty peek from under hoods.

Other flowers in the ornamental garden (which circles the house) include a native wisteria ‘Amethyst Falls’ (W. frutescens) and columbine ‘Crystal Star’ (Aquilegia caerulea). A number of hydrangeas are also beginning to show their stuff, including this bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla).

‘Amethyst Falls’

‘Crystal Star’ is a vigorous performer with long spurs. (Note: the foliage in this photo is iris.)

Hydrangea macrophylla

In the woodland garden, eye-catching Rhododendron is in its glory, but it is the shy Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) that is the superstar.

Rhododendron

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

To see what’s blooming in the rest of the world visit the host of Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day—Carol at May Dreams Gardens.