What's in Bloom at Rotary Botanical Gardens -- May 22, 2026

Peony season is officially here at Rotary Botanical Gardens, and it is putting on a show this May 2026.

Rotary Botanical Gardens grows around 120 peonies across three types: herbaceous,

tree, and Itoh. Herbaceous peonies die back to the ground each winter, tree peonies retain a woody structure year-round, and Itoh hybrids are a cross between the two. The tree peonies are wrapping up their season, but the herbaceous varieties are just getting going -- still early in the bloom cycle with plenty of buds yet to open. Not sure what color yours will be? That is part of the fun.

Here are a few spots to put on your list: the Sunken Garden for a stunning all-white display, the Shade Garden for peachy and fuchsia tones, the English Cottage Garden for a beautiful soft pink, and the Palmer fence line, where more than 25 peonies bloom in a sweeping mix of colors.

Keep an eye on False Indigo (Baptisia) this week -- it is just beginning to emerge. With more than 140 plants across 20-plus cultivars, this upright perennial puts on a long show. Expect pea-shaped flower spikes in a wide range of colors: soft lavender and pink, creamy white, deep red, golden yellow, and warm honey tones. The blooms last for several weeks and are a favorite stop for pollinators.

Also making an appearance right now: the Siberian Iris and Japanese Water Iris in the Japanese Garden. These are short-lived and not to be missed, so plan your visit soon.

A big thank you to Horticulture staff member Melissa Lauer and her team of volunteers for these weekly bloom notes. This report would not be possible without them.

See the full What's Blooming Now list at the end of this post to plan your visit.

Rotary Botanical Gardens blooming May 2026

PEAK BLOOM: Foxglove (English Cottage Garden), Bearded Iris (Everywhere!), Turkistan Onion (Alpine Garden), Tiarella/Foam Flower (Kaleidoscope Area), Japanese Kerria (Woodland Walk), Ferns (Japanese Garden), Red Horsechestnut (North Path/Shade Garden), Epimedium/Barrenwort (Kaleidoscope Area), Fragrant Abelia (Children's Garden), Japanese Snow Flower (Japanese Garden)

ALMOST THERE: Peony (Japanese Garden/Palmer Fenceline), Garden Aubrieta (Woodland Walk), Lamium/Dead Nettles (All Woodland Areas), English Bluebells (Woodland Walk/Scottish Garden), Solomon's Seals (Japanese Garden/English Cottage Garden), Allium/Spring Bulbs (Everywhere!), Siberian and Japanese Iris (Japanese Garden), Columbine (Everywhere!), Calycanthus (English Cottage Garden/All Woodland Areas), Weigela (Everywhere!), False Indigo (Everywhere!)

JUST GETTING STARTED: Fringetree (Entrance Gardens/Woodland Glen), Amsonia/Bluestar (Everywhere!), Celandine Poppy (Scottish Garden), Amsonia (Alpine Garden/Meadow Garden), Woodland Phlox (Everywhere!), Canada Anemone (Children's Garden)