I griped and grumbled last fall when the head gardener dragged me outside in the cold to plant our bulbs but right now I am glad he did it. The winter in North Carolina’s Piedmont has been good to the garden and recent high temperatures have encouraged a lot of growth, including that of bulbs. Now I can stand back and admire the results of our labor and anticipate more to come.
The biggest addition this year is 1000 daffodils to the front yard. They were planted so that they create a golden river running across the entire front of the property.
The golden river passes in and around the trees and shrubs we planted 4 years ago when we moved into the newly built house.
One of the most delightful trees growing with the golden river of daffodils is amelanchier (located in the center of the picture above); its small white bell shaped flowers give the whole plant a delicate look.
In the allee, the first of the white daffodils have completed their bloom and the ‘Thalia’s are taking over.
‘Thalia’ produces several pendent flowers per stem that are lightly scented and have recurved petals.
The ‘Yoshino’ Japanese cherries are blooming, but not for long, as a recent rain is taking its toll, and petals are all over the ground.
The leafless fothergills are covered with fuzzy flowers creating a cloud of white behind an iris bed.
The opening flowers show a touch of green, giving depth to each blossom.
The andromedas are bright with their red new growth.
Clusters of white flowers cascade over the bush.
The Mediterranean heather has been enjoying the cool wet weather and blooming for quite a while.
Its delicate flowers hang gracefully on red stems.
The weeping redbuds are covered with pink flowers that draw attention their graceful form.
The many shades of pink produce a monochromatic tapestry of color.
The rose garden is a bee hive of activity with many bushes growing with exuberance. We have not done the spring pruning yet so much of this growth will be removed.
One lone camellia still has blooms but most have faded.
The old fashioned bleeding hearts have sprung to life. The foliage is lush and vigorous.
The charming flowers dangle from slender stems.
The white variety is adding its lovely heart shaped flowers to the scene.
Drifts of grape hyacinths complement the bleeding hearts.
In a wet boggy area the pussy willows are covered with fuzzy catkins while the forsythia, growing on slightly higher ground, provides bright golden color. Notice how the yellow stamens of the pussy willow carry the color of the forsythia upward.
An entirely different looking catkin is produced by the Henry Lauder’s Walking stick. I grow this plant so I can use the stems in flower arrangements but the catkins are a big draw too.
In the vegetable garden the blueberry plants are covered with flowers. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I have my fingers crossed for a good crop again this year.
Cold temperatures and lots more rain is in forecast so I expect to enjoy many of the flowers for a week or more while saying goodbye to others.
