As we roll into our long warm season here in sunny Austin, Texas,  perennials segue from the early cool season blooms to heat-loving (or at least heat-tolerant) late spring/summer blooms.  Several different native yucca plants grace my gardens this May, such as a Pale-leaf Yucca, Yucca pallida.

Another native yucca, Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora,

will bloom continually until fall.  The flowers are delicate looking and favored by hummingbirds.

Another native yucca, Twistleaf Yucca, Yucca rupicola, shot up a bloom stalk this spring.

Heat-loving Zexmenia, Wedelia texana, begins its long bloom cycle in May.  This hardy perennial blooms prolifically throughout our hot summer and into the cooler October.

A favorite spring and summer bloom  for butterflies, bees and people is the Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. 

Here it resides across from patch of cheery Zexmenia.

The Heartleaf Skullcap, Scutellaria ovata ssp. bracteata, is a beautiful, spreading ground cover which develops stunning blue/lavender flowers, blooming April through June.

In the late spring garden, the Heartleaf Skullcap is stunning–in both bloom and foliage.

The lilies in the pond are blooming as well. This pretty pink one is the ‘Colorado’ Lily,

and the creamy yellow is the ‘Claude Ikins’ Lily.

Both lilies bloom almost year-round in my pond, even occasionally in  winter.

Revel in your blooms, wherever you (and they) May be.  Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for May.