Mid-spring in Deb's Garden, 2018

I heard a commentator on the radio say that winter is like a grumpy old man, arguing and complaining about everything. You heave a sigh of relief as he finally starts to leave. But as he is going out the door, he turns back and says, "Oh, and one more thing..." 

We are well into mid-spring now, but with temps still sometimes dropping near freezing, I have not been able to plant summer annuals or veggies or put my potted tropical plants outdoors. But it won't be long. Meanwhile, spring flaunts its glorious colors, and the world is alive with new growth and fresh flowers.Young bloom of Rosa rugosa 'Alba' - a wonderfully fragrant species rose.Trees are green again. We have had plenty of rain (and some weeds grow two feet overnight). I enjoy the cool mornings and temperate afternoons. I am busy, busy, busy!

Here are some recent scenes around the garden. I wish you could also feel the crisp breeze, hear the birds chirp and the bees buzz, and smell the fragrances of fresh earth, pine straw and sweet blooms!

George Lindley Taber azaleas

Young blooms of Snowball Viburnum

Snowball Viburnum grows behind the pink birdhouse.

Clockwise from upper left: Native azalea; Snowball Viburnum; Late-blooming daffodil; Calycanthus floridus 'Athens' - it smells like ripe bananas.

Clockwise from left: Cornus Florida 'Cherokee Princess'; Aquilegia vulgaris (old fashioned Granny's Bonnet Columbine); Clematis 'H F Young.'

Heuchera 'Caramel'

I have forgotten the unpronounceable name of this Japanese maple I obtained from former Auburn head football coach Pat Dye, but I love its variegated pink foliage.

A scene in the front garden. The beautiful heuchera in front was a bargain find at the end of last summer that had no tag. I wish I knew its name, as I want to buy more!I hope you enjoyed a peek at my mid-spring garden. Blessings to you all!  Deb 

Great Shrubs For Spring Color

My garden relies heavily on shrubs and small trees for spring color; nothing in the landscape is easier or more reliable to produce swathes of fresh, bright foliage and lovely flowers.Shrub border by the patio, April 2016

The azaleas have been gorgeous, though most of their blooms are past their prime now. The bright red-orange azalea in the following photo is the evergreen Karume azalea 'Hershey Orange.'

'Autumn Fire' is a new Encore azalea recently planted by the parking area in front of the house. Although it is fabulous in the fall, it is just as spectacular in spring:Encore 'Autumn Fire' azaleas bloom in front of dwarf Yaupon Holly.

Viburnum macrocephalum, commonly called Chinese Snowball Viburnum, is another shrub blooming prolifically at present:

Behind and to the right of the Snowball viburnum in the image above is Philadelphus, commonly called Mock Orange or English Dogwood, just beginning to bloom:

Next to the patio is this lovely weeping lace leaf Japanese maple:

Most of my roses are low-maintenance, work horse type roses, but I think they are all beautiful. They are just beginning to bloom in the front garden. Here are a couple:Rosa 'Mutabilis', also called butterfly rose

Rosa Rugosa 'Alba'

Caryopteris incana 'Jason' glows near the patio. Later this summer it will have blue flowers that attract butterflies:

Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku', also called Coral Bark Maple, grows in the arbor garden:

Spreading Yew is another favorite in the woodland garden. I love how its lime green new growth contrasts with its darker bluish-green needles:

Cryptomeria japonica 'Tansu' is a dwarf Japanese cedar in the woodland garden. It has stiff, somewhat prickly evergreen foliage:

Here are more of my favorite shrubs for foliage:Clockwise from top left: Variegated osmanthus; Pieris japonica; Juniper 'Saybrook Gold'; Variegated Japanese pittosporum; Sambucus 'Lemony Lace'; Spirea 'Goldflame'; Variegated hydrangea; Deodar cedar 'Feelin' Blue.'

Finally, I am enjoying the sweet honeysuckle fragrance and pretty blooms of deciduous azaleas in the woodland garden. I have planted several varieties so that they will be blooming at different times from now into summer: