In Loiusville Kentucky late in August of the year 2000 I remember the thistles as being very large and lush, as thistles go, so much so that I took several clumps of their seeds home.  I scattered them in a wild-ish area and they persist till this day, almost fourteen years later.

Here now are platycodons just emerging.  Note the palette, very subtle and rich

Another wonder of tone, false indigo arising.

 

and staying in the the blue green family, hosta, followed by grape hyacinth.

 

Here’s another subtle palette picture – baby bamboo shoots – you may have to click on the picture – look carefully, but most of all notice the rich and nuanced tones at the ground.

Varieties of pink tulip

 

purple tulip and Van Gogh tulip.

 

 

This pink one is not a rose of Sharon, but the name is escaping me.

 

 

 

 

 

Chinkapin oak bark and buds

Peony

 

Blue spruce buds

Plus tubular bells!