On this chilly April afternoon, the ingenues enter at stage left, their delicate blooms glistening in weak winter sunlight. These are the spring flowers which herald warmer temperatures, green grass and blue skies. Catch them now before summer fades them until their beauty is merely a memory. This woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) was a passalong from Wanda. She had both the purple and blue varieties growing in the wooded garden behind her home. Hers were planted in drifts, and I’m working on a similar effect in my shade garden. They spread by seed.
Next, for your viewing pleasure, is double-flowering Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’.) Bright green stems grow well in dappled shade, and kerria maintains its bright green color throughout winter. It blooms prolifically in spring and sporadically throughout summer. Mine started flowering about one week ago. In the rear garden, I have the single flowering form, which hasn’t started blooming yet. It has a more delicate appearance. In 2002, kerria was chosen as an Oklahoma Proven selection. I recently heard that Kerria is considered invasive in some parts of the United States. I hate to hear that because it really brightens up shady spots in my garden.
These small actors, grape hyacinths, pink clover, and red parrot tulips make a lovely vignette. Since tulips can only be grown as annuals in Oklahoma, I’ll be pulling up these bulbs in a few days. The pink clover is a new addition to the front garden. It will be interesting to see how it weathers the heat. Once the oak tree leafs out, this garden is in full shade all morning and dappled shade by afternoon. The front of the house faces the west, but there is a tree line just west of the house which also shades the yard and garden.
Our final ingenue for the day is this apple blossom from my Gala apple tree. I have three apple trees in the front yard, along with one sour cherry tree, and two peach trees. Despite having three apple trees, I have yet to eat one bite from any of them. They are just now large and mature enough to start to bear, and the deer always beat me to the fruit. I’ve tried netting, but it didn’t work. I have some new deer deterrent, and I’m going to give it a try. I’ll let you know whether this helps. In the meantime, the blossoms smell heavenly (like no other scent I know,) so I’m going to enjoy those. The peaches have finished blooming. If the weather isn’t too cold tonight, I will have tiny peaches in a couple of weeks. I’m off to cover the mandevilla and elephant ears planted in the rear garden since the predicted low tonight is supposed to be thirty-one degrees F.
I must be doing something wrong – I can’t get my Phlox divaricata to spread by seed. It just grows in ever-expanding clumps. It is one of the best Spring bloomers.
MMD, I watched how Wanda grew hers, and I do the same. I grow it in shredded leaves. Lots of great things germinate better in shredded leaves, especially those plants common to the forest. Give that a try.~~Dee
My Kerria isn’t quite as far along as yours. I just love it though. I found a varigated Kerria last summer and put it inthe back garden. I will see what it does this year. No sign of blooms on it yet.
Lisa, let me know how the variegated one does for you. I might have to find a place for it too. I also have the single form. It is just starting.~~Dee
I love the photograph of the woodland phlox and wish that I could see the peach and apple blossoms. The double Kerria is pretty.
Thanks, Kate. I bet you could grow the phlox. I think it’s a native.~~Dee
The photos are beautiful. What a shame that you’ve never been able to enjoy an apple from your trees. I’ve never smelled apple blossoms–now I’m curious. Did you post your GTS post late? I’m surprised I missed you on Sunday!
Aiyana
Aiyana, I think I posted in the evening. That’s why you missed me. Thank you so much for coming by.~~Dee
Wow, was that blue sky I was seeing in those great pictures? I love all the flowers!
Yes, Janet, there is a blue sky in your world too. It’s just been raining too much. Just think about the good it’s doing for your flowers.~~Dee
Is it only Parrot tulips that are grown as annuals or all tulips?
I ask because my mom has a Parrot tulip (planted this year) and I have a variety of tulips that I leave in the ground year-round which seem to be doing fine.
Please educate me:)
Aunt Jo, if you have tulips that come back every year for you, I think that’s wonderful. Most of the time, unless they are a species variety which are smaller and not so showy, our summers and winters for that matter are too warm. They really like more chilling than we get.~~Dee
Dee,
These are beautiful pictures and your writing is wonderful as well. You are very blessed with many God given talents and I’m so impressed! The woodland phlox are just lovely!
Keep up the great work and I’ll keep reading and “spreading the news” about your blog!
Kelly
Thanks Kelly. I’m so glad you’re reading. Yes, please spread the word.~~Dee
Your pictures are beautiful. Isn’t the cold weather discouraging. It really makes me tired of dealing with it. All the blooms turn brown and it ruins the fruit. We’ve gone through it here in NC the last two Springs. I hope you had enough sheets!
Thank you, Anna. Yes, it is so frustrating to make it to frost date and then have a freeze. The peach trees and apples seem okay, but I won’t know until a month or so. I lost some stuff, but it gives more to plant.~~Dee
Love the pictures. Some many pretty flowers!
Element, thank you so much.~~Dee
I do wish I could catch the fragrance of that apple tree, Dee and you’ve reminded me how lovely Plox divaricata looks in spring.
The kerria sure is cheerful – does it have any fragrance? I once bought a variegated kerria but it didn’t live long enough to bloom.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Annie, unfortunately the kerria does not have any fragrance at all. I think the variegated kerria are a little harder to establish.~~Dee
Hi Dee, let’s see if this comment makes it. I love the woodland phlox, need to get more of it, thanks for reminding me! Our kerria is the double like yours, but no blooms are open yet, can’t wait as it is so bright and cheerful. Love your apple tree, wonderful all.
Hi Frances, you made it! I’m so glad nothing ate your comments. Thank you.~~Dee