Spring Progression

Front yard on April 8

Last year I posted a very similar photo of my front yard with the Kwanzan cherry tree in full bloom. That photo had been taken on Easter Sunday which was on April 21. This year's was taken the morning after a big rainstorm on April 8, nearly two weeks earlier. Interesting that the seasonal spring progression is so much earlier this year.

The back yard on April 8

Double flowering quince

As the back yard beds become more populated, the whole ensemble is more floriferous: the narcissi and daffodils are naturalizing and spreading nicely in their beds under the Redbud tree, the double-flowering Quince is covered with blossoms, and both the Primrose (white flowers) and purple Bloomerang lilacs are loaded with flowers buds.

The daffodils and grape hyacinths are prospering, despite the squirrels' constant activity replanting the grape hyacinths in the most unexpected places. I particularly like the light blue variety, and there are also some white ones in the mix.

Mt. Hood daffodils and blue Muscari

Blue Grape Hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum)

The Carolina Silverbell tree is now about five feet high and with more flowers than ever before--a thing of rare beauty! I bought this tree from Wayside Gardens as a small sapling that was about 12" high. I notice that they no longer offer this native tree for sale, and am told they are hard to find. The tree will reach around 15 to 20 feet at maturity.

Carolina Silverbell tree (Halesia tetraptera)

Close-up of flowers

We planted two new native trees on the east side of the house last fall: a Downy Serviceberry tree (Amelanchier arborea) and a Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia). These were acquired from a nursery located in neighboring Rappahanock County. The Serviceberry produces small, edible berry-like fruits--I wonder if we'll get to taste these, since I hear they're a favorite of birds, and I'm sure the deer won't be far behind.

Downy Serviceberry tree (Amelanchier arborea)

Flower buds of the Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)

I saw a Pagoda Dogwood on last year's trip to the Bruce Peninsula and thought it had such a beautiful form, I really wanted one for my yard, so when I found one at a local nursery, I snapped it up. It will be interesting to see what the flowers will look like, since the one I saw in Canada was not in bloom. These two trees will need a few years' growth before they begin to look like much, but eventually they should be spectacular.

Clematis montana 'Apple Blossom'

Another purchase from Wayside was this Clematis 'Apple Blossom' which I've been training on a trellis at the side of our house. This is the first spring that it has bloomed profusely. Another pleasant surprise was the early-blooming dwarf iris 'Bluebeard'.

Dwarf iris 'Bluebeard'

And this is just the beginning of the flowering season! Soon the other clematises, the roses and the Alliums will come into bloom. I can't wait to see what they'll be like this year!

Can Spring Really Hang You Up the Most?

Magnolia 'Butterflies'

Spring has arrived early this year, and with the current circumstances of "social distancing" we are undergoing, that lovely jazz standard "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" was on my mind. The song is about unfulfilled or unsuccessful love... but in the current upsetting phase of social upheaval, being hung up seems to be the least of it.

I find comfort and solace in my garden, where I can leave worries behind and take joy in my plants and flowers. The yellow magnolia 'Butterflies' continues to grow slowly to become more beautiful every year--and the lemony scent of the flowers is heavenly!

Glory-or-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)

Daffodils in front yard

The assortment of spring bulbs, Tazetta, and Thalia narcissus in front have grown denser over the years--more divisions will be needed in the fall. The Mount Hood and Prince Alfred daffodils in back are also putting on a show.

The grape hyacinths under the Zelkova tree are spreading, it's wonderful to see the light blue and white varieties I planted a few years back starting to multiply, despite the deer munching on the leaves. The Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides) with the larger leaves will bloom later on.

Grape Hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum)

Flowering quince

The double flowering quince is doing better than ever--I just removed the wire mesh barrier I'd put around it during the winter to protect it from the deer. The deer took their revenge by making mincemeat of the emerging buds of my Autumn Joy sedums, after chomping the leaves of the one Rhododendron I'd left unprotected. I don't mind them munching on the leafy growth of the daylilies since those usually recover, but they damage other plants so much, I must redouble my efforts next winter.

Clematis 'Apple Blossom'

My neighbor's Weeping apricot tree

 My new shrub clematis has vigorous shoots, and the "Apple Blossom' clematis is covered with charming pendulous buds. But the star of the day is my neighbor's lovely weeping apricot tree. It's so wonderful to see tender new shoots coming up everywhere--a sight to cheer the heaviest heart!