It’s amazing how much is growing right now. I feel like all of a sudden everything has emerged in one moment of synchronicity. From the trees and shrubs to the perennials – something is happening everywhere I look. It’s exciting, yet exasperating as there just isn’t enough time to get everything done or talk about a fraction of everything happening here on the blog. I mentioned that fact the other day so I won’t go on again but I will say that I’m getting worn out, but it’s a good feeling!
I thought for this post I’d show you a little, a very little, of what is happening in the garden. The redbuds are blooming everywhere. In the back tree line and within the confines of our own yard like in this ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) that we planted last year. Redbuds are one of my favorite native flowering trees and Tennessee is abundantly gifted with them.
The Viburnum x burkwoodii is producing flowers for the first time in our garden. Buds are all over this shrub and soon there will be flowers.
One or two of the flowers have already opened!
The leaves are emerging on both of our Japanese maples. The one pictured below is near our side garden entry arbor but I don’t know the details. It was a discount rack rescue with no ID, I don’t have any problem taking in orphaned plants – especially Japanese maples.
The oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is producing leaves too. It’s in our corner shade garden with the main purpose of covering our gas meter with it’s foliage.You have to have something to cover those necessary eyesores and an oak leaf hydrangea is a good choice, at least I think so!
A ‘Lady in Red’ Hydrangea is somewhere in between the Japanese maple and the Oak leaf hydrangea above. This hydrangea gets reddish tinted leaves and has the lacecap flowers.
Hostas are coming up everywhere. I think this one is a ‘Patriot’ but I have trouble remembering the exact locations of each hosta. Once the foliage emerges better the job will be easier.
I can identify these two hostas easily as ‘Ginkgo Craig’. I really like the narrow pointed leaves for a contrast in shape. They would look great in front of a large blue leaf hosta.
Also in the corner shade garden are the Solomon’s Seal. They were a plant swap trade two years ago and look like they are just about to come into their own.
Amazing time of year, isn't it? I think my clematis vines grew over a foot today! 🙂
I'm enjoying this time of the yr very much. I've been able to get out & do some gardening with results. I like that.
I did a double-take on the hosta. I can spot a Ginko Craig easily! 🙂 You are unbelievably busy!
Dear Dave you are making me feel very guilty ! haha
I have about a million maple keys to pick out of the beds .. the downer to having Maple trees but hey .. nothing is ALL good is it ?
Your hosta are more than ready to show themselves off now .. I have a while to see mine break ground yet .. some wacky weather with possible snow is passing through.
Spring is never just simple !
Joy
It's the best time of year…the tender new growth is always a lovely shade of green and flowers llok especially bright…I've noticed that hostas which I thought, long faded have reemerged. Maybe the wet and cold 6 months we had helped them! gail
I'm with you Dave. Not enough time to get it all done. Urgh! But sure do love the spring blooms and leaves in your garden.
I loved reading that one of your japanese maples is a discount rack rescue with no ID. Many of my plants came from the 50% off rack – and they've turned out to be some of the hardiest.
Everything is looking good. It's so exciting this time of year seeing everything come out.
I always rescue plants as well from the sale racks.
We do not have as many redbud in our area as others. I enjoyed the drive through NC and VA this past weekend as they had tons of the beauties to keep me company out the car window!
How wonderful your Dappled Willow with the arch! That is such a treat to have in a garden, your very own one of a kind garden frame!
Cameron,
Our clematis did the same! It's like a clematis on steroids right now.
Me too Lola,
Also about the Loropetallum propagation, I haven't tried it and the one I planted last year croaked with our cold winter. I would try using rooting hormone on semi-ripe cuttings or stem tip cuttings this spring and see what happens.
Shady,
Just wait until you see what else I've been doing. I need a few more hours added to the day to get everything done! Ginkgo Craig is an awesome hosta BTW!
Joy,
Over at my parents house they have a Japanese maple – most likely Bloodgood – of some 10-15 years of age. Our extra cold winter stratified the Japanese maple seeds and triggered seedlings like I've never seen before – there must be over a 100. I'm pretty excited by that!
Gail,
I think the cold may have done many good things for us, we'll just have to see how things shake out in the end!
Tina,
I need more time! If someone invents a pause button for time that would allow me to keep going I would buy it in a second!
Ginny,
The discount racks and I are old friends. Unfortunately most of the discount rack stuff now is stuff I already have so I'm starting to get very picky!
Susy,
Cheap plants can't be beat – unless they are free I suppose!
Skeeter,
You should plant a redbud in your garden – great spring color. The leaves are pretty neat shaped too when they form.
Things have taken off so fast here as well, Dave. We were gone for a week and couldn't believe to what we returned home to, cold to hot, bare to lush! Love the Forest Pansy, and that Viburnum looks great. In fact, I have an unknown Viburnum that looks just like that. I will have to compare the leaf, they all look so much alike and bloom around the same time. Oak leaves and Japanese maples are always good, and Lady in Red is a great choice.
Frances