Irises blooming are always a sign to me that summer has begun.

This patch of irises makes its summer announcement at Edgewood College, where the last day of the spring semester is tomorrow. Yes, summer has begun.

That weed & feed I put on my lawn certainly seems to have done a good job feeding the weeds.

In the horticultural gardens, the blooming crabapple trees seemed to be at their peak.

Someday I’d like know why the blossoms of the bleeding heart evolved to that shape. These are from the perennial beds in front of my house.

When I see irises close up, sometimes they look as if they’re laughing hysterically with their tongues hanging out. Maybe this one’s just happy spring came early this year?

With the summer-like, record temperatures we’re now experiencing, snowdrops were the only snow I could find on the ground today.

Taken at Olbrich Gardens.

But when I visited Olbrich Gardens this afternoon, I saw some gorgeous autumn blossoms, like these zinnias.

It’s certainly been a bad year for seasonal allergies in Wisconsin.

At least the bees are enjoying it. As for me, I’m anxiously awaiting the first frost.

Below, a whole fireweed plant (along with some white aster at its base).

Taken at Olbrich Gardens in Madison.