Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Red Dragon.’ Image credit: Meredith Brehaut
I have waited and am rewarded with warmth and sunshine – how I have longed for both. This early part of spring is exciting – blooms and foliage seem celebratory after a long go of rain and cold. I’ll show you what’s coming up in my garden, my favorites that indicate spring is here.
Three great things for me about this time of year are my wedding anniversary, the return of rufous hummingbirds and blooms on a Daphne odora (pictured after the jump). Everyone should know the location of a Daphne shrub so you can visit it and enjoy the scent. There’s an easily accessible one on the east side of Banyen Books. Go on a warm morning and you may smell it before you see it.
Underused but no less worthy is the Edgeworthia chrysantha (pictured above). The scent is not as lovely but the sight of them! Some have yellow blooms; I have the orange one. It makes me happy every time I pass by. It may need some protection over a hard winter, but I am reimbursed for my efforts come April.
Daphne odora ‘Aureo-Marginata.’ Image credit: Meredith Brehaut
Hepaticas are small bits of joy that bloom now. They can get expensive – check out the online catalog for Fraser’s Thimble Farms if interested. But the more reasonably priced blue forms are wonderful – I have some in a pot on the back deck to enjoy their spring display.
Shrubs can be magnificent as their new leaves emerge. Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Coppertina’, Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ and S. racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ make a stunning trio (pictured below). Planting these so that they are backlit by the sun amplifies their leaf color and they shine.
Hepatica noblis. Image credit: Meredith Brehaut
Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ with Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Coppertina.’ Image credit: Meredith Brehaut
These plants are some of my favorites. They represent the beginning of another restorative season of gardening. I hope you have such plants, scouts that lead you into spring. Tell us about your spring scouts.
Last modified: April 11, 2012
