It's begun!
Forsythia and Daffodils are
hallmarks of the early spring show, but they're not alone.
Early spring blooms come
wrapped in many shapes and sizes.
Here's a sampling of what's blooming in my area.
Here's a sampling of what's blooming in my area.
Heath (Erica carnea), makes a colorful spring carpet, nicely set off by Boxwood. This
low-growing evergreen shrub
needs excellent drainage.
Iris reticulata
(Dwarf Iris)
provides a
diminutive
punch of blue
in that
lovely,
Iris form.
Primrose comes in many bright shades from white to shocking pink.
Pretty white blossoms cover Wall Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica) in early spring.
The evergreen perennial spreads to form mats of gray-green foliage
that cover the ground.
Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) is one of my favorite spring bulbs.
Although quite small,
the clear blue flowers
flaunt their beauty.
I believe these pretty blue rays are Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) -
a visit to Carolyn's Shade Gardens helped identify them.
Daffodil trumpets signal that spring is here. Do you see the daylilies peeking out of the ground below the Daffodils? Read why they're a great pair here.
The fragrance of Hyacinth belongs to Easter, for me. I like Hyacinth best indoors, but can never bring myself to throw them away. I usually plant the bulbs outside after the holiday to enjoy in years to come. 
Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica), is a nice evergreen shrub with dainty drooping flower clusters. 
Some cultivars, such as 'Valley Rose', have pink flowers. A fronting plant would make a nice addition to conceal these exposed "legs."
Forsythia is recognized by all...when it's in bloom.
Afterwards, it fades unremarkably into the background.
I think it's best sited where the branches can stretch out in
all the glory of their unrestrained sprawl...
...rather than being clipped into a
forced civility.
If you do prune Forsythia,
do so in the spring
soon after bloom
to ensure flowering the next year.
Dwarf cultivars, such as Forsythia 'Arnold Dwarf', are more suited to smaller spaces. 
Did you know that
Red Maples (Acer rubrum) have flowers?
Although vibrant fall foliage color is their
claim to fame,
the modest spring show is a nice bonus.
Don't forget to take the pest ALB into consideration when choosing trees (read about it here)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a wonderful small tree with lacy white flowers.
 |
| Star magnolia blossoms |
"The day the Lord
created hope
was probably the same day
He created Spring."
~Bern Williams
To see what's blooming in other areas, visit May Dreams Gardens for
Garden Blogger Bloom Day
See, also Spring Blooms II for more spring blooms.
Garden Blogger Bloom Day
See, also Spring Blooms II for more spring blooms.
24 comments:
Wow, you have a lot going on. The heath is huge. It does not grow well here though. You are way ahead of us and maybe next month I will have a showing like yours. Pretty, pretty photos.
That large Forsythia is so pretty when it is allowed to grow in its natural shape!!
Yes they are all marvelous and wonderful beyond reasonable doubt! lol. however there are no plants and flowers like those here, so i just content myself in your photos.
I agree with you about Forsythia, so much nice when allowed to cascade naturally. I am envious of your Magnolia, mine is almost over, the last few flowers now surrounded by leaves. Lovely Spring show - happy GBBD!
I like to tuck forsythia in a spot where its octopussy growth blends in with other shrubs most of the year - not quite in bloom in coldest CT, but soon!
GWGT: It's so exciting to see spring gaining speed! Enjoy as it catches up in your area!
Toni: I think this specimen, in my neighborhood, is an example of Forsythia at its best.
Andrea: It's great that we can enjoy the variety of plants grown around the world through blogs!
Janet: You're ahead of us! We're so happy that the show has begun!
Gardeningasylum: That sounds like a great way to site Forsythia! Its bright blooms are hard to beat.
Isn't it strange that Iris in all its forms are so similar when other plants are often hardly recognisable as the same species. My Dutch Iris started to flower today and the wild Iris have been around for a while.
Amen Bern..
The hyacinth picture in the sidebar is just superb. Your post is very enchanting. I loved all the flowers including chionodoxa, star magnolia, daffodil and others. I wish i could grow scilla in my subtropical climate.
Ah, Forsythia... one of my favorite spring bloomers. My gardens are about a month behind yours as I'm only seeing buds on my shrubs. That Japanese Pieris is a new one for me but quite lovely. Happy Bloom Day!
Spring looks gorgeous in your garden! You have so many flowering plants, it must be such a joy to take a walk and smell the blossoms. Thank you for the virtual tour.
Enjoying peeking around at your garden ~ so much is blooming where you are! xoxo, tra
Love you heath! It doesn't grow here. :( Good lesson on the forsythia. I don't have one of those, either! (though it does grow here)
Chris, I was just visiting for GBBD and found that you had linked to my blog--thanks so much and glad to help with the ID. You have a lot of variety going on for spring. I really had to laugh when I saw the "clipped" forsythia---so ugly. Carolyn
Christina: I'm happy for that - the flowers have such a unique, graceful form.
greggo: Spring is full of hope and points me to the One who offers eternal hope.
Muhammad: It's wonderful that we can enjoy plants from around the world through blogging.
Kate: Spring is all the sweeter for the wait, isn't it? It's beginning to pick up speed here with new developments every day.
Masha: The landscape is looking prettier day by day here. These photos were taken from around my area - only a few are from my small yard.
Fishtail Cottage: I appreciate your stopping by! More is blooming all the time - what a wonderful time of year!
HolleyGarden: That Heath is a nice one, isn't it? The Owner was very happy to show it off to me.
Carolyn: Always happy to link to your blog! Thanks for coming by to visit.
Chris look at all that color...my cold spring day has suddenly warmed me..thx
Wow! I love it all! The forsythia is spectacular; I can't imagine clipping it into a stunted shape like the other one you show. That is sad! I am also admiring your scillia and your "Glory of the Snow'. Happy Spring!
Donna: That changeable spring weather - but the bright colors of spring carry us through to warmer days.
Deb: Forsythia has such dynamism in its natural form, it's a shame to see that stripped away by pruning. Happy spring to you!
I love your forsythia and pieris, and your steps are very nice.
Spring is indeed a magical time that fortunately does not diminish with age. Your plants are beautiful, I particularly like the Pieris.
That giant forsythia is wonderful! I remember in NY state people allowing whole hillsides to be covered with it--so gorgeous, and a lot more "wild" than that poor little clipped thing. Beautiful photos!
I love your Spring garden show! The Star magnolia is the "STAR" of the show in my book. The contrast of the white blooms against the red brick is striking!
Mac: Glad you enjoyed the pictures, captured at homes in my area!
Alistair: I think I'm enjoying spring even more as the years go by; the wonder of new life never gets old.
Stacy: Thanks! Forsythia is one of the most vibrant bloomers, and always welcome at the start of spring.
Ramona: Yes, Star Magnolias are lovely. And they're in top form this spring!
The blooms (and photos) are gorgeous and your remarks about the plants very helpful to gardeners. So glad I found your blog!
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