Spring's Rollercoaster Ride

I’m back after a little break from posting to Hortus 5. Truth is, I’ve been savoring winter’s slow motion and luxuriating in its quite stillness. Now Spring is finally here and the last couple of days have been damp and chilly. Inbetween sunrise and sunset, one can still see their breath. I think most everyone in the Midwest is yearning for a warm and sunny Spring. No such luck, yet.

As winter loosens its grip, I am once again experiencing the multiple forces of the season which tend to make me more frustrated than anything. Exciting as it may be, I also find it a bit torturous. Spring’s hills and valleys are much like a rollercoaster’s, constantly changing, pulling you in all directions. Cold one day, wet another. And what to wear– base layer, rain coat, or both? My inertia climbs toward the sunny peak but Spring’s coaster car has other ideas. Down we go again. Let’s hope this ride doesn’t plunge through a frosty tunnel or two. Ready or not, Spring is here and as always, it’s gonna be a scenic and bumpy ride.

Above: Magnolia buds trying to break open.

Business in the front and party in the back

This is NOT ME! Just an example of the mullet hairstyle.

Yes, I did just make a reference to the mullet hairstyle. That’s probably the best way to describe my landscape. I’m a gardener who keeps it conservative in the front yard and more ‘expressive’ in the back. I call it Mullet-style landscaping. Since I usually focus on the backyard so much, I thought I’d share a bit more of the front with you for this post. I added so many new plants last season, there’s actually more than usual going on in the front this year. I’ll admit that I lack a bit of confidence and still worry that my latest additions will not come back the following season. I’m pleased to report that most have decided to return.

Winter has held a stubborn grip on spring this year. Plants are slow to emerge from beneath the soil, but they are determined and push out a bit more with each passing day.

I planted 26 Astilbe Rhythm and Blues (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Rhythm and Blues’) last summer and every single one has come back. Every plant looks healthy and a bit larger. Astilbe was a new test for me. I knew only of it’s unquenchable thirst and worried that I may not satiate it during last year’s drought. Of all my additions, I’m most pleased to see this one coming on so strong.

My little mass planting of 33 Heuchera “Plum Pudding” is also doing well. Only one plant did not survive– one that I foolishly tried to relocate mid season. Lesson learned. No major moves until very early spring.

This little row of Green Gem Boxwood came through beautifully. My big concern here was that the plants were a bit stressed having been in the grower’s pots all last summer during the drought. I purchased them at Sundown Gardens during a sale and planted them “by the book” hoping for positive results. This short row had been a missing piece of the landscape puzzle for a few years. Guests who walk up the front walkway will be greeted by the verdant green shrubs and subtle but direct command to “turn left here.”

Heuchera “Circus” was a total impulse buy last year. This introduction by French breeder Thierry Delabroye (breeder of the every popular “Caramel”) caught my eye from day one. I had to have it. My work cohort and I bought the whole lot between us. This is first time I’ve seen it in springtime and I’m happy all three came back nice and strong. This is one of those plants whose appearance will change throughout the season. Blooms will be in Pink shades. Can’t wait!

Elsewhere in the front beds, the Hostas are coming through. The Peonies are full of buds and the Variegated Liriope’s winter growth has been mowed down to make way for a flush of new growth.

Finally, the Limelight Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’) are coming back with vigor. I give them a hard prune right before Thanksgiving every year. You can see where the old cuts are and how the new growth emerges from the old stems. All blooming happens on new growth.

It may seem as though the party is in the front, but it is laid out very nice and tidy. In the back? Well, that’s another story. Thankfully the plants came back in high style and the mullet has not. Please share how your spring is going in the comments section.

Sensational Shrubs

What is a sensational shrub? I believe it’s a shrub that features striking characteristics multiple times a year, or as my friend Lee May puts it, “they multi-task.” Whether it’s flowers, fragrance, foliage, or winter interest, a sensational shrub will provide your garden with interesting qualities throughout the year. Fothergilla x gardenii ‘Blue Shadow’ fits perfectly into this category.

Spring is on the fast-track over much of the country and with it blooms abound. It’s been quite entertaining and worrisome at the same time. Still plenty of time for hard frosts and freezing temps. One of spring’s early bloomers is Fothergilla. This shrub typically blooms in early spring (April to early May) but has been blooming for me since mid March. I love the small pom pom blooms composed of tiny bottlebrush spikes. The white flowers are echoed in the many dogwoods currently in bloom. They feel light and fresh. To me, they symbolize a start to a new beginning.

As new leaves emerge, they appear powder blue– an effect caused by the silver-grey felt which covers them. The foliage will become leathery and broad as it transforms to a striking blue to blue-green throughout the growing season, changing to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. You might even see some purple in the final act.

Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ is a compact slow-grower. It will grow 4-6’ tall and as wide for the first 10 years. So far, there are no known serious insect or disease problems. Try Fothergilla and put a little white in your life this spring. I’m looking forward to following its progress all year. 

FOTHERGILLA x gardenii ‘Blue Shadow’

Common Name: fothergilla

Type: Deciduous shrub

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Zone: 5 to 8

Height: 4 to 6 feet

Spread: 4 to 6 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Color: White/Ivory

Sun: Full sun to part shade

This Bud's For You

In a couple of weeks, I will embark on my 47th trip around the sun. That puts me at 188 seasons passed should I make it all the way around. You’d think the changing of the seasons would be blasé by now, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Spring’s tiny buds have been gradually swelling and will burst open any day now, once again transforming themselves into luscious foliage and blooms. I never tire of this spectacular show. Maybe this post should be titled “Spring Spectacular.” 

The images below are just a glimpse of spring’s emergence at Sutherland. To commemorate it, I thought it would be fun to juxtapose the spring buds (photographed only one day ago) with their mature leaves. Enjoy the show.

Emperor I Japanese Maple Tree 

Ogon Dawn Redwood Tree

Climbing Hydrangea Vine

Kiyohime Japanese Maple Tree

O isami Japanese Maple Tree

Hydrangea image ©The Scott Arboretum. Emperor I image ©Shadow Nursery Inc.

Spring Color Studies

Every time I pass by a window, there is burst of color that catches my eye. I couldn’t ignore these color stories.

East Magnolia

Urn with Yellow Pansies

Spring Awakening

So often spring crops up with such fervor, that we hardly notice its subtle colors aside from the obvious greening of the lawns or the intense hues that daffodils and tulips offer us. Before the show is over, take time to admire and appreciate the delicate, soft and unexpected hues too. Below are a few of my favorites. Click on the first image to begin the slide show.

I took a chance on this climbing hydrangea last year. Moonlight Chinese Hydrangea Vine is hardy in Zones 6-9, but lucky for me, it survived our Zone 5 winter. It has started attaching itself to the bricks and begin to climb.

In medievel times, Hellebores were considered a weapon against witches, madness, and evil spirits. They are an excellent shade plant and among the first to bloom in late winter. This is Hellebore ‘Ivory Prince’.

Hellebores signal the awakening of spring. Although the common names include “Christmas rose” and “Lenten rose”, they do not belong to the rose family. This is Helleborus ‘White Spotted Lady’.

The trees are bursting with energy. I love the bits of color each bud provides the branches.

The swollen buds are ready to burst open and reveal the first white blooms on this Star Magnolia Tree. Each bud is its own complex shade of milky pale green.

Several Magnolia buds have started to open and reveal white blossoms. If the weather cooperates, it will be spectacular in full bloom.

Detail of crimson colored buds on the Maple Tree.

We planted several herbaceous peonies last year. Most peonies emerge from the ground in colors of red and burgundy before the foliage turns green. Notice many rocks in the soil? This clay bed will require significant amendments to improve the soil quality.

Even the houseplants are enjoying the extra sunlight that the lengthening days bring. I love fancy Begonias. In fact, I love anything fancy!