pansies and violas

I think these are my desert island flowers. So simple but so beautiful and exuberant.

violas

close-up of the violas

violas

pansies

and a close-up of the National Velvet red tulips in the background of the first pic

National Velvet red tulips

I didn't notice the buds until today when the shrub is suddenly in bloom.

lilac

the entire shrub with all the flowers, and to think this was slow to flower, it's caught up!

lilac