THE FIRST PERENNIAL GERANIUMS are rushing by; the Viburnum flowers are shattering. But the “June garden” (which started a couple of weeks early, like everything else this strange spring) is in full force here…and moving out of bloom faster than one might like. Who said we gardeners had any control over anything, though? Let’s celebrate, even if it’s a fast-paced party, what do you say? A quick round of applause for things like these:

PEONIES—the big, traditional herbaceous ones, above—are in their peak moment. I grow them in an out-of-the-way spot for cutting only, not in the garden, as I have mentioned before. Have any that didn’t bloom so well? Some tricks of getting a peony’s full cooperation.

KOUSA DOGWOODS are having a really good year in my garden, with a proliferation of bloom, above, that I hope will be followed by good fruit set. Last year, the various Cornus kousa didn’t put on such a big show, and then you may also recall the near-disaster I had with my unusual weeping one. Glad I didn’t cut it down.

DAME’S ROCKET, or Hesperis matronalis, is to some a wildflower and to others a weed. This non-native blows into the surrounding area and even into my garden, and I’ve learned not to fight, but rather enjoy, it. More on this controversial biennial.

THE FAMILIAR PURPLE ALLIUMS are rushing past, but here comes the little yellow one, Allium moly, and an Allium cousin, Nectaroscordum siculum, is in its glory (above).

HONEYSUCKLES may attract aphids in some spots, but I’m happy to hose them down regularly to get to enjoy their glory. In praise of the vining Lonicera.

CLEMATIS and various other perennial vines throughout the garden are popping open daily. Some of my favorite clematis, and a few other vines you may wish to add to the story at your place.

THE GROUNDCOVER SEDUMS are starting to do their thing out by the vegetable garden edge, to the delight of moths (above) and butterflies, and before long I’ll be awash in a sea of succulents again. Not a bad place to be. Some of my favorite low-growing sedums.

PRIMULA JAPONICA, or the candelabra primulas, are on their way out, but you can say a quick hello, if you hurry.

ROSES, YOU SAY? Why didn’t she mention roses? She doesn’t grow a lot of them, you see, but one easy, bone-hardy climber does have a spot here, as raucous-colored as it is. That’s ‘William Baffin,’ above, part of the Canadian Explorer series.

I have never seen it so happy as this year, though William, like everyone, seems to have a train to catch…and figures to be out of here in a flash. Nice seeing you, all of you, my fleeting botanical friends.