Looks like my Ville de Lyon.

VDL blooms early for me. I guess because it's in a protected spot.

Yes, it is Ville de Lyon.

Mine has been a dud but I have seen it blooming in May here at other locations.

My VDL has buds now, but probably will be a few weeks before bloom.

Marie

Yup..it's definitely VDL and might I add a GORGEOUS one at that!!...Well done...Jeanne

Thanks guys! It always feels good knowing exactly what you have. At 1st I wasn't real happy with the fact it wasn't Niobe but it is growing on me (no pun intended). I do like the contrast. What I have noticed is that is susceptible to powdery mildew. If you closely look at the pic above you can see it starting to develop. It is located just a few feet from the Niobe with the exact same sun situation & Niobe is perfectly clean. This guy is starting to develop that ugly disease & if it persists it may have to moved to a place with morning sun. I am having a hard time believing that adequate watering will prevent this disease with all the rain we have had so it is more likely a situation of getting dried with morning sun ASAP. I like good solid clean plants with no problems. I'd rather spend my hard earned money on plants than chemicals. Now that I have grown attached to him & love the way he blends with my other plants, he is making my life difficult.

Pretty much all of my Type IIIs mildew here. :( we have tremendous amounts of rain.