Peaks and valleys

Alliums are past their peak, though still showy. Ranunculus flowers are at their peak. Blue Dutch irises are still opening; we're beginning to see white ones; tomorrow there will be red-violet ones; perhaps there'll be yellow ones the day after that. Ipheion has been practically non-existent; the same is true for grape hyacinths and for species tulips and 'jums. Everything that's scarce this year was extremely abundant last year. No two years are ever the same.