Spring Planning

This year, with such mild weather, even some of my weeds have stayed green. Finally, they have a purpose! 

Bulbs are already showing their noses above ground. The aardvark, or whatever Phil is, says we are having early spring.  And I am thinking about my gardens already.  So....I guess we will be dumped on with a huge snowfall any day now.   

Did that sound cynical?  It sounds like someone who has been fooled too many times! But the poet in me is still thinking about looking for buds on plants anyway.  Here are some of my favorite harbingers.
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You can find many more options on our PLANT FINDER and even make and print your wishlist to bring in when we re-open in March!

Witch Hazel 

I love these trees because they are one of the first plants in my garden to produce beautiful and fragrant late winter flowers. They are understated and underused, and that's a shame. Here are a few of my favorite varieties that I think you will love too:

Arnold Promise Witchhazel
Bathed in stunning fragrant yellow flowers with red along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has green foliage throughout the season. Leaves turn an outstanding yellow in the fall. ​

​Jelena Witchhazel 
Clothed in stunning fragrant coppery-bronze flowers with yellow overtones and burgundy along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has green foliage throughout the season. The leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall.

​Diane Witchhazel
​Blanketed in stunning fragrant indian red flowers with burgundy  along the branches from late winter to early spring before the leaves. It has green foliage throughout the season. The leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. 

Forsythia

Everyone's favorite shrub that heralds the arrival of spring! I'm sure you've seen these bright beacons lining the roads on early spring drives. In fact, I never realize how many Forsythia are out in the world until I drive around in Spring. One great variety that I'd recommend is the Lynwood Gold Forsythia.

Lynwood Gold Forsythia
​Bathed in stunning gold bell-shaped flowers along the branches in early spring. It has forest green foliage throughout the season. The flowers are excellent for cutting! Cut some branches now and bring inside to see them bloom into a gorgeous bouquet. 

Magnolias

One of my favorite trees ever! Of course, I say that about a lot of trees, but I do mean it. Their big, romantic flowers look like they are straight out of a fairy tale. Who needs magic when we get spring blooms?! They are one and the same in my opinion.

Betty Magnolia
A hybrid magnolia selected for its spectacular purple flowers with white insides in spring and improved hardiness. Good as a specimen or accent for spring bloom.

Jane Magnolia
An exceptional tree with large reddish purple flowers on the outside, white inside. The fowers tend to open later and avoid frost damage. They are a gorgeous tulip shape with a lightly scented fragrance. Great choice for border or accent.

Cherries

Start your own Cherry Blossom festival in your yard! It'll be a lot less crowded. It will probably just be you. Well, that sounds peaceful. 

Okame Cherry
A beautiful spring flowering accent tree, featuring bright pink flowers, attractive reddish-brow​n bark, and a vase shaped habit of growth. It needs full sun and well-drained soil and has a high tolerance to insects and disease. 

Don't forget to check out our Plant Finder for more great ideas and in depth details on each plant!
What is your favorite spring bloomer?

-​Marietta