Erik's Gardening Tips

flowers of high spring season

Now let us continue with the floral display of the season, remembering that this year's blooms are phenomenal due to that cold winter we had!
The shrub/species rose hybrid Rosa x 'Cantabrigiensis' is just specatcular. Single yellow roses cover the upright bush in garlands of blossoms, much like the effect of Fremontodendron, but with none of the difficulties of growing. Very easy care, early profuse bloom, ferny finely divided foliage on upright shoots sometimes to 15ft ! small bristly prickles. Just a wonderful thing to start the rose season, and there are others too. R. Stanwell Perpetual and R. Marie Pavie' are some of the first to bloom and last to finish. Many species bloom ahead of the hybrid groups/classes, and are now beginning bloom to be often followed by colorful hips/heps.
The closer you stay with the natural species, the more resistant to diseases the plants tend to be.
Tree peonies and the hybrid group of intersectionals (tree peony x herbaceous peonies) and the early herbaceous hybrids are in full glory at present! If yo have never seen tree peonies, you are in for a memorable treat! They are huge is size up to 12" across and the colors and textures flamboyant. Superb and magnificent duly describe them, and divided attractive foliage as well. Bushes are up to 6+ feet tall after many years, and herbacewous clumps can get well over 4 - 5 ft across with dozens of blooms/ the tree peonies are reported to have 200-300 of those impressive blooms according to plant explorers in China.
The late lilacs are spectacular now, accompanying them are the early philadelphus cvs., species. Fallbrook and Snow Velvet are large in flower and shrub size. Gallahad and Desert Snow are lower, smaller bushes, but have the captivating fragrance of grape soda, or bubble gum (P. microphyllus is a southwest US native and often carries that fragrance in its offspring)
The large flowered silverbell tree, Halesia diptera magniflora is so very impressive and graceful with its much larger white bells that often flare outward at petal tips. This is a small-medium tree 20-35+ feet.
All the maples have popped out and are at their very best now. Especially the many cvs. of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, A. japonicum, a. sieboldianum, A. shirasawanum) There are MANY maples from around the world, China being especially rich in species. Of easy culture, they prefer not to have 'wet feet' in winter, and a well drained soil, sun to part shade (some will do fine in more shade) they tend to be a little sun shy so bear that in mind for younger sapling trees and give them some protection until they grow up a few years.
The weigelas are just grand now. Voluminous floral displays in white, pinks, reds, bronze-purple foliage, yellow foliage, and variegated forms are obtainable.
The double bridal wreathe is a favorite of mine as it stays in bloom longer and is so very graceful. Spirea reevesiana)
The viburnums are also spectacular now, the doublefiles, snowballs, and others. V. plicatum tomentosum cvs. are special favorites of mine and need almost zero maintenance. This is a big group and there are many forms obtainable, both large and small.
Many of the conifers are just spectacular as well right now. The new growth lights up the plant with lighter foliage tips of new growth. Firs, spruces, pines, junipers, cedars, and cypresses are only some of the rich assortment much beyond the ordinary common forms seen everywhere.
Soon there will be the first Japanese iris. These are the most spectacular of all iris with blooms in vivid colors to 12" across. They need rich ACID soil and heavy watering to show their potential.
Now is bearded iris season and there are so many brilliant color forms. I particualrly like the amoena pattern, darker blue lower petals (falls) and lighter , often white upright petals (standards). Of easy care, they like sun, I like the remontant group which will often show blooms later in the year after the spring bloom is over for the once bloomers.