Friday, March 18, 2011

Flowering Shrubs to Brighten a Spring Landscape

 

I just love spring and when all of the garden is coming alive.
The grass turns a beautiful green that is not seen at any other time during the year. Some how it looks greener and brighter to me at least. Or is it that we long so to see green again after a hard winter that it makes us think it is greener.
Daffodils that were planted last fall are popping up along the woodland bed and tulips are growing fast now that we have had some warm days. The primroses are getting some new leaves and so is the pulmonaria and heuchera’s.
The fruit trees will soon be blooming in the neighborhood along with the Red Bud trees along the highways.
This is  time of the year when all things come alive again, even this winter bound gardener.
What makes spring so welcome more than  beautiful blooming shrubs. I have a small yard but there are some shrubs that can fit into any landscape. I have a few scattered around in my garden beds such as rhododendron, azalea, magnolia and lilacs which can be pruned to fit any size garden. Here are some beauties from the Garden Show.

HGS_Rhoddy_Purple3 I just love this Azalea. Although it does not show well in the pictures it was a deep purple.

HGS_Rhoddy_Purple

HGS_WitchHazel

Witch Hazel

HGS_Rhoddy_Red

‘Holden’  Rhododendron

HGS_Rhoddy_Red2

 HGS_WepingCherry

Weeping Cherry

HGS_Rhoddy_White

 

HGS_Pieris_Japonia

Pieris Japonica ‘ Dorothy Wyckoff ’

 HGS_Rhoddy_Pink2

Rhododendron

HGS_Rhoddy_Pink

 HGS_Magnolia_Jane

Magnolia ‘Jane ’HGS_Magnolia_Jane2

We have been blessed with a few beautiful days in the  sixties so I have been doing more cleaning up outdoors.
The winter decorations have been put away and the spring ones now grace the front porch.
Spring arrives Saturday and I am so glad to see it arrive even if they are trying to discourage us all with threats of more snow next week. The only consultation is knowing at this time of the year it will not be staying around long.

Today is Fertilizer Friday so join us with Tootsie at
“Tootsie Time” in Flaunting some of your Spring blooms.
Since I do not have any as yet in my garden I am using these last pictures from the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show.
I am sure everyone is getting tired of all the Garden Show pictures by now so it is a timely ending to them.

What spring blooming shrubs are your favorites?

Fertilizer_Friday

Everyone Have a Wonderful Weekend
and Happy Spring Gardening.

 

20 comments:

Floridagirl said...

Wow, what a gorgeous purple azalea! Beautiful photos, too. Your post makes me miss my old Atlanta garden badly. Wow, how I miss my weeping cherries! And the rhodies. And the 'Jane' magnolia. I could go on and on. We can't grow any of those plants down here. :`(

Darla said...

There were a lot of beautiful plants at the garden show huh? I love the weeping cherry.

Patsy said...

I always wanted a witch Hazel but do not have one , we did just plant a Holden last week. What Lovely spring flowers at the show.

IlonaGarden said...

Those are very nice. Mostly acid loving so I don't grow them...except for the magnolia which I LOVE.

Karen said...

Oh, Lona, I am not tired of the garden show pictures, not at all! I love the weeping cherry; what a perfect specimen and so many, many flowers. The witch hazel is amazing too...I've never seen so many blooms. All the rhododendrons and azaleas to tempt me, though I don't know how many of them would be hardy around here. The magnolias would be, at least some varieties, and I should really look into them. Thank you for the inspiration!

Pat said...

We've been getting warmer weather also...yay Spring.
I can't believe how many flowering shurbs you have. That's whats needed here... MORE shurbs.
The Pieris Japonica looks like it's under a tree so I'm guessing it's good for the shade. But then again everytime I see "japonica" I think of shade.

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

that blooming cherry is amazing...

HolleyGarden said...

I've been noticing the last few days how the new green on the shrubs is so pretty at this time of year. Beautiful flowering shrubs you have pictures. Most of them would not do good here, but I love the magnolia.

A Garden of Threads said...

Hi Lona, I have also been visiting our local premier gardening show in Toronto, the smell is heavenly. I do not have any shrubs in flower, just some snowdrops and the hellabores that I found today. But the buds are starting to swell and the lilac. Spring officially arrives tomorrow, welcome. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

Lynn said...

The purple azalea is so pretty. I miss those. They were everywhere in the Florida panhandle and I always loved it when the "azalea trails" bloomed. Unfortunately they do not do well in West Texas.

Tootsie said...

your flaunt this week is especially gorgeous! I love the photos how they seem to dance! your garden is always so wonderful to see...thanks for linking in this week!

Asha Ram said...

Refreshing!

Toyin O. said...

These are such beautiful plants, thanks for sharing:)

Nancy's Notes said...

Wow, love the azalia! Wish we could grow them in our part of Texas! All of your plants are just beautiful! Happy I found your blog.

Nancy

Adrienne Zwart said...

Love looking at all those blooms, Lona. It won't be long before evidence of spring will be popping up all over. Probably even sooner for you than for us up here.
I've thought of you a couple of times this week. I started my petunia seeds on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed that I have success in growing something from seeds this year. Thanks!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

These are just beautiful shrubs and many of my favorites.

Eileen

Fishtail Cottage said...

So pretty! I just planted about 10azalea's today! thanks for sharing al those pictures of beautiful flowers - looks like spring is springing? xoox
~tracie

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Lona girl those are BEAUTIES !
I am a shrub and tree person too .. although I have run out of room for trees darn it !
I have Mountain Fire Pieris but just one rhodo and 2 azaleas .. but lots of other shrubs and I want more ? These pictures are fantastic girl !
Joy : )

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

There sure are a lot of beautiful spring blooming shrubs and trees. I've got a new azalea planted last year and I'm hoping it blooms this year. That weeping cherry is so loaded with flower and I love the rhodie below it.

Sunray Gardens said...

Very pretty. I love the flowering shrubs and have a lot in mine. After seeing the witch hazel, I am regretting not getting one now. Very unique but no space left to add another one.
Cher
Goldenray Yorkies