First sweet peas and that mid-May feeling

Mid-May is such a lovely point in the gardening year because all the firsts start happening at once. The first sweet peas, the first cornflowers, the first proper armfuls that make you think yes, here we go.

I have been thoroughly indulging myself staring at the borders this week. They are at that stage where everything is knitting together and I keep wandering outside just to look, usually when I ought to be doing something more useful.

The peonies are also building towards their moment, and I am checking them far more often than is really necessary. They never last long enough, but I still would not be without them.

There is something about mid-May that always makes me feel the real garden season has started, even though I know the busiest months are still ahead.