Spring Bloomers
Forum Archives
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-02-2005 at 7:14pm
I am just wondering of all the things flowering right now, what does everyone prefer?
It is wonderful to see all of it, the trees planted so the pinks and whites are next to each other are quite pretty.
And the daffs are doing quite nice.
My favs though, well I always liked flowering quince but I thought the flowers were more orange than they are.
But my all time fav that is flowering right now is this little understory shrub. White bells with little green leafs pointing up like ears, so adorable. Too bad I don't know what it is.
~BakingBarb
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-02-2005 at 7:37pm
Okay, I like the common stuff--Daffodils! Yellow and yellow, yellow and white, yellow and orange, white and orange, tall, short, small cupped, large cupped . . . I like them all (except the pink ones . . . I don't like pink daffodils). To me, Daffodils are the sign of Spring. And now we have 2 Hummingbirds visiting the Daffodils.
I also like Forsythia. We have a huge Forsythia in the back, that in the past was covered with brilliant yellow flowers. I still remember the very dark, overcast day, and that Forsythia blazing yellow against the gray sky.
I still want to get a red-flowering current, or a white-flowering current.
Those are my favorite Spring Bloomers!
Barb
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-02-2005 at 9:08pm
Do you think it is our native, Oemleria cerasiformis syn. Osmaronia cerasiformis (common names: Osoberry or Indian Plum)? That is blooming right now and by your description that sounds like it! I need to get a good pic of mine and put it in the plant gallery.
Here's the fruit and this one has both flowers and fruit. At my last place they were all through the woods on the south side of my home next to a creek. When the light shown on them it was breathtaking.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-03-2005 at 7:42am
Great pics, Debbie. After seeing the fruits, I can now say that my neighbors' plum is definitely not our native Osoberry. The plums are too round and are a dark burgundy red, not blue. They are almost like a large bing cherry but with an larger, ovoid pit. Flowers don't droop the same either. Oh well, will have to keep searching.
A spring favorite? It is so hard to pick! I think the flowering cherries signal to me that spring is really here. But hellebore are my favorite early blooming flowers.
Jeanne
Carolyn
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-03-2005 at 8:46am
I am startled by finding my Pulmonaria in bloom 'Red Start' and, of course, the primroses. I can't seem to keep crocus around here - they just disappear. And I do love the daffs.
My husband gets very excited about the first vulture he sees each year and again we spotted one early just last Sunday (one day earlier than 2004). Spring is here!
I was cleaning up outside yesterday and it makes me ever so happy to see all the plants pushing out new growth. Now how to keep a plantaholic away from bringing home even more plants, that is the real delimma! It's a real sickness.
Carolyn
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-03-2005 at 9:29am
Hi Carolyn!
It's not a sickness - it's an investment! Just ask anyone on this site and we'll provide you with any justification you need!
Where do the vultures go for the winter, I wonder? I figured they'd be like eagles and hawks and stay around. That is so cool that you keep track of their return each year - we judge spring by the noisyness of the frogs!
Hey, I planted out that Hypericum Albury Purple ("Rustoleum") and it seems to be doing fine. I kept it in in the greenhouse all winter and it put on a lot of new leaves but it took up more room than I wanted it to and so I finally got it planted. Wish me luck!
And spring flowers! I'm a sucker for daffs, too. The heather is mostly in bloom and it sure adds something to the grey/brown landscape this time of year. One Rhodie is already done (R. sichotense - a very early before-the-leaves-come purple azalea). And the Star Magnolia is threatening to burst it's buds but no show yet. And the white crocusses are up and blooming but not the other colors? Do the bunnies like the other colors better and they got eaten? Curiouser and curiouser. Still too early for red-flowering currents and mock orange. I guess I should be patient. Great thread!
-Wanda
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-03-2005 at 5:54pm
Debbie that is it for sure. I see them allover and just am in love with that little bugger. So pretty and dainty. thank you
~BakingBarb
Screaming Eagle
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-04-2005 at 12:12pm
I love it all but I do have a special fondness for Magnolias, maybe because their show seems so brief it is precious. Wanda I have a little Star Magnolia too! How big is yours? Mine is only about 3' tall so far. I looked out at it Wednesday since I'm was home early and the buds are finally swelling getting ready to bloom. There are a couple Magnolias close to where I work that are just lovely in full bloom right now with a heavenly if subtle fragrance, ahhhhhhhhh.
I planted some white crocus this past fall and one morning earlier this year I happened to look out at them, they were like bright lights in a dreary winter landscape. I vowed to get more and place them where I look out my kitchen window under the maple trees. When one is looking at catologues or shopping it's easy to be taken in by the unusual or the flashy when often the simple and subtle are often more effective in the landscape.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-04-2005 at 4:11pm
At present, I'm swooning over winterhazel, Corylopsis pauciflora, Indian-plum, Oemlaria cerisiformis, hairy manzanita, Arctostaphylos columbiana, and hellebores, Helleborus orientalis, H. argutifolius 'Janet Starnes' and H. x sternii 'Blackthorn'.
bakingbarb, if you want fruit (the birds will thank you!), you need to buy a male and a female plant of Indian-plum. If they aren't labeled by sex at your local nursery, check the flowers. Male plants' flowers will have stamens. These fast-growing shrubs look great against an evergreen background but take care to site them away from your garden visitors' curious noses. At best, they are described as smelling like burnt almonds. At worst, they've been likened to a cross between watermelon rinds and cat urine (ewwwwww!). Pollinators don't mind, though, and thankfully the smell doesn't waft far from this lovely native plant.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-04-2005 at 8:06pm
Funny you should say all that, since today I spent photographing Indian plum (its up in the plant gallery now) and Corylopsis. I am putting the C.p. up in the photo forum in a few minutes.
I put my nose in the Indian plum flower, I didn't think it was too bad. I tried to describe it, but it was hard. I hear the male flowers smell worse. So I will try to figure which is which and sacrifice my sensibilities to do a smell comparison.
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-05-2005 at 11:08am
Debbie and Lisa, all for the love of plants! I think that little bugger will fit my needs well. But I am concerned as to where I would put it. No evergreens for backdrop just a fence. I did put in some shrubs and a magnolia, little gem but all but one flower bud is burnt looking. Anyhow I grouped these shrubs around the magnolia which is near some rhodies. This yard had very little, the rhodies on the south side up agianst the fence and a dwarf weeping pussy willow in the ne corner of the fence. Up against the house is a tall evergreen with wallflowers underneath and the back of the house has a lilac and a (brain freeze). So I am adding as much as I can with the thought that the house will be sold in 5 to 6 years and likely tore down for development.
Wow all that to ask where should I put the indian plum? Of course now I would have to find one (two). I have bigger plans then wallet for this yard. Right now we are working on a large area that was all blackberries, vn soil it has. Would like to put drawff fruit tree in and berries. Put a compost pile with bambooin front. I can think of all the things wrong with that by myself too! LOL
SO what were we talking about...........Oh I forgot magnolias. I grew up in Ak in a very frigid area! So when I was 9 I visited my Grandma in Or. and she showed me a magnolia. WOW was I impressed.
~BakingBarb
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-05-2005 at 11:08am
Debbie, I think this is one of those cases where beauty is in the nose of the smeller. Indian-plums have also been described as similar to hawthornes, which some detest. Personally, I dont't think that's a bad smell - pungent, dusty and not what I'd choose for a fragrance but not intolerable to me.
I didn't know that male flowers may smell worse. I'll have to go sniff mine. Oh, the things we do for research! LOL
Red Hare
Location: Oregon coast
Posted: Mar-07-2005 at 2:33pm
My neighbor behind me has a star magnolia that's in full bloom right now, but they aren't there to enjoy it. I haven't seen them in a few months and I suspect they've moved to assisted living or something. We weren't close, but we shared a love of gardening and birds and I miss them.
My own star magnolia is just beginning to open its blooms, rosy pink on the outside, pale pink inside, and it's covered with blooms. My maples are all starting to look alive and I see flower buds on my lilacs. Crocuses are in full bloom and hibernating perennials are beginning to leaf out. Winter is barely over (it seems like it was only barely here!) and spring has definitely sprung.
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-07-2005 at 7:56pm
Red Hare, you have a PINK star magnolia? WOW! I thought they only came in white! Pink?????? I have got to get me one of those!
Barb
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-16-2005 at 7:05am
Have you noticed the pink flowers peaking out from the edges of woods? I think it is that one raspberry"esqe" plant. Salmonberry I think.
I love the wildflowers that peak out from the woods. I saw some skunk cabage also. Do we have trillum here?
~BakingBarb
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-16-2005 at 11:46am
yup, got trilliums. trillium ovatum is the most prevalent. tryon state park has a trillium festival in may - great time and fab trillums for sale.
my oregon grape, mahonia aquifolium, and red-flowering currant, ribes sanguineum, are also blooming. this is a weird srping - i don't recall these two plants in bloom at the same time as my indian-plum.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-16-2005 at 12:43pm
I've got fawn lilies and trilliums blooming too. Along with the mahonia and flowering current. Seems a bit early for fawn lilies and trilliums. Definitely odd spring!
Jeanne
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-16-2005 at 6:52pm
Trilliums are blooming. I had a brief appearance of Smith's Fairybells, but not sure what happened to them. A dog, perhaps (I have got to increase the height of that fence around the woodland garden!)
Hyacinths are in bloom, as are Daffodils and Tulips. Mahonia nervosa (or repens--my brain just sputtered) and Mahonia aquifolium are in bloom. Haven't seen the Fawn Lilies--maybe they didn't survive.
Barb
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-16-2005 at 6:59pm
Fawn lilies what are they, and fairybells?
A trillum festival, oh oh oh I wanna go.
The flowring currant is it pink and mass flowers?
Of all that I do have the mahonia but don't know which one.
My daffs did not flower as much this year, weather related?
~BakingBarb
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Mar-17-2005 at 1:03am
Does anyone have anyone else have a King Edward VII flowering currant ????? She is my esp. loved new last year- favorite plant blooming. I can't help calling it pink. It start's out almost a red and as the blossoms mature they turn a lighter pink. It is absolutely knock out gorgeous !!! If you like currants run out and buy you one of these !!! If you don't like currants run out and buy you one- you will love it reguardless !!! I love my other red currants- but these are something else! The blooms are huge in comparison. I don't know that you can actually tell that in photos & they don't do her justice. I can't hardly wait for it to get bigger. (about 2 1/2' right now) Drought hardy too, which may be good esp. this yr.
The smell of hyacinth fills the front yard. That's wonderful !!! But today I love the newest plant to begin blooming... a beautiful bleeding heart ! They are so exquisite when they first form their blooms !
aka Cindy
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-17-2005 at 9:53am
Barb, the latin name for fawn lily is Erythronium oreganum and for Smith's Fairy Bells, Disporum smithii. Both very beautiful flowers. Disporum smithii needs a bit more shade.
My Ribes sanguineum is more pink but the buds are very red. Don't know the variety as the plant was there before I moved in! Sydnie, that's interesting about the King Edward VII, the berries are much bigger than on my Ribes. Ribes also come in white and yellow flowers. Ribes cereum has white to pink flowers. Ribes aureum has golden- yellow flowers. All varieties are drought tolerant.
Barb, that's too bad your daffodils aren't blooming as well. This year's weather were excellent conditions for the daffodils. Mine are all out in full force, including the ones in the pots. I wonder if something chomped on them. Normally, daffodils are deer and vole resistant.
Jeanne
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Mar-17-2005 at 6:38pm
Thanks for the information Jeanne. I think I will have to get a yellow and white one before next year. That would be great ! The drought tolerant part is going to be a plus for a while it seems, even with this wonderful rain !
aka- Cindy
My pink weeping cherries are blooming. Really early for them here ! I do love them.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-18-2005 at 3:13pm
oh, my gosh, do i have mixed up plants. my pincushion flowers are in bloom. wow. these normally don't start until june, may at the earliest.
crazy spring.
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 12:17pm
Jeanne, those are very cute. Will ya'll quit giving me new ideas! Cripes the list of new plants I want is getting HUGE. But the list of new plants I plan on adding now is small. I did just buy (cheaply at Walmart shhhh) bleeding heart, peony and something that I forget! They are in honor of our dog that we just put to sleep. Sigh
~BakingBarb
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 4:13pm
Barb, I'm sorry to hear about your dog.
Barb
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Mar-21-2005 at 11:06am
I love the yellow and true blue combinations of spring. The yellow daffodils, epimediums, and forsythias with the hyacinths, grape hyacinths, glory of the snow, scilia sibrica, and the lungworts, particularly the light blue of Roy Davidson lungwort. It's one of my favorite plants. I think the Oso berry (and forsythia) blooming are the first sign of spring really starting. I'll thought that the Oso berry could be a good plant to introduce to the commercail trade if someone could find one that didn't smell. I saw and smelled a crown imperial frittilaria lately and it was really bad, no way would I have that in my yard!
Fern
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-21-2005 at 11:12am
i'm sorry about your loss, bakingbarb. it is so sad when we lose a beloved pet.
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-21-2005 at 8:06pm
Thank you. That was such a hard thing to do, I put it off for months and changed the appt at least four times. Some people would spend alot of money but I don't think it would have helped. I could not stay in with her but my son held her, he just turned 20 this month, he cried so hard.
She was our pet since they were quite young so this was hard. I always got mad at her for being under foot but now I am wondering where she is.
Thanks agian
~BakingBarb
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-22-2005 at 9:26am
What a sad story! So sorry for the loss of your dog, Barb. You must miss her terribly!
Jeanne
Red Hare
Location: Oregon coast
Posted: Mar-22-2005 at 10:27am
Dittoes. Memories of losses past.... Pets (children, really) are with us for too brief a time.
I'm reminded of a woman who asked C.S. Lewis if her dog would be in heaven. He responded, "Would it make you happy for your dog to be there?" She answered, "Oh, yes!" "Then your dog will be there."
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-22-2005 at 10:45am
i love his response, jeannean. how comforting.
great quote in your signature, too. lol
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 7:42pm
Just remembered the other plant is v. bluebells. I need to remember the latin name as I see this bluebells as being a confused one!
and thank you agian
~BakingBarb
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 10:32am
are you thinking of mertensia pulmonarioides, syn p. virginica, bakingbarb? i have a native bluebells, m. paniculalta, which should be blooming soon.
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 2:46pm
I just noticed my little Antennaria dioica is blooming. I have these in a pot near where I walk into the garage. I probably wouldn't even notice them in the ground. And the little fuzzy blooms really do look like little "pussy toes". They always bring me a smile.
-Wanda
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 4:08pm
Hopefully, Barb, your bluebells are the Mertensia, not Hyacinthoides hispancia!
Wanda, the Antennaria dioica is cute. Are they pink? Some of the pics show a white, fuzzy bloom.
Jeanne
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 6:45pm
Jeanne - my Antennaria are a dusty pink. The seed heads are as pretty as the flowers to me - the flowers just fade to light brown fuzzy pieces of fluff. Just like my Patches' kitty's toes!
So sorry to hear about your dog, Barb. I think it's great you planted something as a memorial. You could get an engraved plant marker that looks like a dog bone to label your plant with - usually at fairs and shows they will engrave dog tags for people on bone-shaped tags - you could give them a run for their money with a latin plant name! Anyway, sorry to hear of your loss.
-Wanda
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-26-2005 at 5:32pm
Mertensia, they grew wild in the back yard when I was a kid in Ak. There was also a yellow flower, a wild ranaculas type flower I think. Anyhow we would suck the nectar from the back of the flowers, very sweet! thanks btw
~BakingBarb
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton