No Persuasion

Stand back, it's spring! The rush of growth, flower to seed, emergence of good and bad, it's all happening at warp speed. I always remember this week, it's the week my son was born and coming home from the hospital - a 3 day stay at the time, was like entering another world. Azaleas were in full bloom and the trees had developed leaves large enough to cast shade. Literally 3 days had made a gigantic change. To record this, I have spent some time taking photographs of what's flowering, or even passing over. The few days when the temperatures hit 80 degrees plus, can make for a fleeting show, especially with flowering bulbs, so you must pay attention.

This is one of my favorite epimediums, simply known as Epimedium versicolor, which is better known with the selection or hybrid - 'Sulphureum' and its all yellow flowers. Both have short spurs, but are strong growers. Lovely for dry shade with clean foliage and a strong stamina.

Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum is a much more saturated yellow with tiny spurs that are reddish. 

Rhododendron 'Colonel Mosby' is part of the Dodd confederate series. Originally developed to take the place of Exbury azaleas, a decidious group that is not fond of our southern heat. Using Rhododendron austrinum, a native species, this group of about 11 hybrids thrives (mine is in full sun) and puts on a stunning show. Since I live on John Mosby Hwy., it became a required purchase.

This sweet native rhododendron is best known as the pinxterbloom azalea. The flowers are usually shades of pink, but can be variable. Depending on the sun, it can be very dense or much looser and open.

Any gardener that likes fragrance must have Abelia mosanensis, it's exquisite!

Adding to the fragrant garden is Phlox divaricata, a native that can also be variable in color, going from this milky blue to deep purple. The lighter shades are best for the shade garden, popping color as the trees fully leaf out.

As the foliage opens completely you can see why Syneilesis aconitifolia is also known as the shredded umbrella plant. A native of Korea, it will grow in dry shade, and I can vouch for that.

This is also the time when the winter aconite or eranthis goes to seed. The small yellow flowers open mid-February, so I like to collect a few and spread them to the south side of rocks so they bloom even earlier. A minor bulb that disappears quickly once heat arrives.

My Thalictrum dioicum or early meadow rue is seeding around and actually becoming a groundcover. The foliage is very dainty and resembles columbine (in the same family). Despite the appearance, this native is as tough as they come and thrives in dry shade. These are the female flowers and you can use this link to read more about this amazing native wildflower. In the Ranunculaceae family, most members are poisonous, so deer resistant. 

And tomorrow will promise to bring more, so don't let a day pass without looking and absorbing. No other time of year offers so many daily changes.

Comments

[Scott]

Like many hearty plants, Rexrodium karenis can be found blossoming in the early hours.

[Karen A Rexrode]

Commonly known as Green Thummer decora. Often found roaming garden centers.