Today is both Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday, the first time since 1945 that they occur on the same day. For some the dichotomy of the two days causes a dilemma, but not in the garden. Despite being battered by ice, snow, and frigid temps, the double crimson Camellia burst into bloom on schedule. This lovely red flower serves as tribute to love as well as a reminder of Ash Wednesday obligations.
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Georgia Backyard Nature
More signs of Spring! The Saucer Magnolia is in bloom. This is one of my favorites because I love the big two toned blossoms--delicate purple on the outer side of the petals and a creamy white inside. We had one of these trees by our front porch when I was little, but we always called it a Tulip Tree; some call it a Japanese Magnolia. No matter the name, it's stunning when in bloom!
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These pretty yellow and orange blooms are Tulip Poplar flowers. Although this tree is called a poplar, it's really a member of the Magnolia family. Tulip Poplars, or Tulip trees, are large, growing as tall as 120 feet high! The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds; birds and squirrels eat the seeds. This one is located in my neighbor's yard between our houses. It must be hardy because the tree withstood building of both houses and continued to flourish even though several mighty oaks nearby died due to the construction.
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Right on cue for Easter, the bare branches of Dogwood trees are filled with their signature creamy blooms. This small native tree only grows to about 20 feet high. Dogwoods prefer part shade. Morning sun is best.
This year seeing Dogwood blooms on my trees is special. About 10 years ago, I planted three seedlings. However I put them in too much shade under three huge oak trees and they never flowered. Last year, those oaks died and after they were removed, morning sun began to filter in. For the first time, my Dogwoods are loaded with blooms and that part of my yard looks just like I had hoped all those years ago. Sometimes nature is a better gardener than humans.
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It's Dogwood season here in Georgia--they're blooming everywhere. Most have drifts of snowy white flowers, but there are pink varieties, too. I spotted this beauty in my neighbor's yard. It's a young tree that bloomed for the first time this year.
The Dogwood is hardy in zones 5-9, growing up to 25 feet high and just as wide. In the wild, this native tree grows under the forest canopy and thrives in rich, moist soil. So pick a spot with filtered shade or afternoon shade and water it if conditions are especially dry.
I have four white Dogwoods which are beautiful, but now I have a serious case of Pink Dogwood envy. I love the distinctive rosy color of the petals and really want one for my own. Who can blame me??
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I was admiring the Canada Select Red Chokeberry tree and spotted this Tiger Swallowtail butterfly enjoying the nectar. A blooming Chokeberry means that Spring flowering tree season is almost over. It's one of the last trees to flower, but worth waiting for.
This fast-growing native tree sprouts bright green leaves in Spring followed by racemes of delicate white flowers. After the blooms fade, the leaves turn a deep maroon for the summer. Chokeberry blooms attract butterflies and lots of bees. The small red fruits that follow are a favorite of birds and wildlife.
I didn't know anything about the Chokeberry when I asked the local nursery for a tree that would attract birds and butterflies. It's certainly does that, but I had no idea that the Chokeberry would provide four seasons of enjoyment for me, too.
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We've been eagerly awaiting springtime here in Georgia and it seems that overnight the flowering trees have burst into bloom. The Flowering Crabapple tree (above) in my front yard is a glorious cloud of fuchsia that can be seen all the way down the street.
The Mayhaw, which I'd given up for dead a couple of years ago, rebounded nicely and is loaded with dainty white flowers and tons of pink buds.
The Princess Diana Serviceberry tree is in full bloom. Each delicate blossom will become a succlent berry. Birds love Serviceberries and swarm the tree when they ripen in May.
The Thundercloud Purple Plum is covered in lavender flowers followed by inky purple foliage making this the most spectacular tree in the yard.
And of course, what Georgia yard would be complete without a peach tree? This Elberta Peach sports lovely pink blossoms, each of which will become a peach. Too bad I won't get any--the deer nab the fruit as soon as it ripens. But I get to enjoy the Springtime show so I'll be content with that.
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There’s hope for spring. The Saucer Magnolia, also known as the Japanese Magnolia or Tulip Tree, is in full bloom. This deciduous magnolia looks sensational with its leafless branches covered in saucer sized blooms that are white inside and pink or purple outside.
Hardy in zones 5-9, the Saucer Magnolia prefers moist (not wet) acidic soil and full sun to part shade. Even though it isn’t considered drought tolerant, my tree weathered several years of drought without a problem.
This beautiful tree grows up to 25 feet high and can be cultivated in a tree shape with a single trunk or more shrub-like with multiple trunks. My Saucer Magnolia was a single trunk which kept getting taller and taller until it blocked the view of the lake. Two years ago, my landscaper recommended cutting it down, then when new shoots emerged, let 3 or 4 develop into trunks. He assured me it wouldn’t die, but I was a little skeptical.
As you can see, it worked. The Saucer Magnolia now has 4 healthy trunks and is covered in blooms. I’m sure it will continue to grow taller, but pruning will be much easier. Now this lovely tree will continue to herald the coming of Spring.
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Even with us still seemingly stuck in winter, the yard is poised for Spring. The Pieris just burst into bloom. This shade-loving shrub sports clusters of tiny flowers that resemble those of the Lily of the Valley. In fact, that’s its nickname—Lily of the Valley shrub.
Pieris is hardy in zones 5-9 and can thrive in dry conditions and Georgia’s unforgiving red clay soil. Last year I planted seven of these evergreen beauties under the canopy of the Crabapple tree in my front yard. The soil in that shady spot is rock-hard and crisscrossed with tree roots. Everything I’d planted there before, such as hosta, impatiens and coleus, either died or was eaten by the deer.
Amazingly, the delicate pink blooms tell me the Pieris shrubs actually like living in the shadow of the Crabapple. I’m glad I didn’t give up—sometimes it just takes a while to find the right plant for a bad location.
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