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April Bloom Day


Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis alba), Spirea 'Vanhoutte', Rose 'Lady Banks'

April is a riot of blooms! I think gardeners should get the entire month of April off from work because there is just too much work to do and too many plants to behold. I can't keep up with this madness!

Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum commutatum)

One of my favorite shrubs, Easter Rose (Kerria japonica). This is the double variety.



I also have the single variety (below). The shrub itself though is rather puny as compared to the double variety, which is quite vigorous.



Euphorbia 'Despina' next to a tree peony.


Chinese Witch Hazel (Loropetalum chinense)

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans)



Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)





Phlox subulata

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)


Azalea 'Koromo Shikibu'
I discovered this azalea in Pam Harper's book "Time Tested Plants". I finally located a plant on E-bay!




Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum)




Money Plant( Lunaria annua)



And I leave you with another photo of Rose 'Lady Banks.



Carol at May Dreams Gardens invites bloggers to share what is blooming in their gardens on the 15th of each month.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

joco said…
Hiya Phillip,

I knew it would be a heavy day for those still on Dial-up. So many pictures everywhere after the dearth of March :-)

We call Lunaria "Honesty" rather than "Money Plant". I wonder why.
I too love the double Kerria. Many prefer the single though. The double Jew's Mallow will root within a few months, but I love having masses of it. Fancy buying plants off ebay. Never occurred to me to look there.Lady Banks already. Mine is just a bunch of 1 mm leafbuds. Strange the way the seasons mix. maybe that is usual for Alabama.
April 14, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said…
Phillip, your photographs simply 'raise' the bar. One of the reasons I love visiting your blog. Couple that with your wonderful plantings...

I'm a kerris fan as well. That lady banks in nigh on perfect.
April 14, 2010 at 11:48 PM
A Garden of Threads said…
The month of April off of work to garden, heavenly. My bluebells and woodpoppy and only small leaves just poking out of the soils. Soon mine will be just as beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
April 15, 2010 at 4:03 AM
Jen said…
beautiful pictures as always! My Jacob's ladder is still not blooming, I wonder if its not happy where it is. Also, I'm always admiring your statuary, where do you get it, online or locally or a mix of both?
April 15, 2010 at 4:42 AM
F Cameron said…
Stunning! And...all the other wonderful adjectives that one can think of when viewing a gorgeous garden like yours! :-)

I've got to add Virginia Bluebells to my garden when I have enough shade. I was recently at a local garden and got carried away taking photos of the bluebells. They'd go well with my pulmonaria with a similar bloom shape and color.

My Lady Banks is trying to get inside the upstairs guest room window! :-)
April 15, 2010 at 4:54 AM
Randy Emmitt said…
Phillip,

Those gardens of your are a true delight. Must be nice to just sit back and enjoy them.
April 15, 2010 at 4:57 AM
Dave@TheHomeGarden said…
Awesome Phillip! Our Kerrie is blooming too, it's the double. The bluebells picture is great!
April 15, 2010 at 5:53 AM
Ginny said…
I agree about having the month of April off! I can't keep up under normal circumstances, but April is crazy - what heaven it would be to have the entire month free to spend digging in the dirt.
April 15, 2010 at 6:00 AM
Phillip Oliver said…
Joco, I normally don't buy plants off E-bay but I was determined to find that azalea and was running out of sources!

Cameron, I had to trim back LB last fall because she was getting out of hand.

Jen, the statues are from all over the place. We used to always buy one when we went on vacation. Some are from around here though.

Thanks everybody!
April 15, 2010 at 6:30 AM
Chandramouli S said…
Man! Your garden seems to go in full swing now! Great to see so many blooms in abundance and lovely shades. That Viburnum in clumps is a fantastic photo.
April 15, 2010 at 6:34 AM
Randy said…
Phillip, the garden is just looking a fabulous as ever! You have such a touch!--Randy
April 15, 2010 at 6:38 AM
Gardening in a Sandbox said…
I was really impressed with the Chinese Snowball bush. Thanks for sharing today. Valerie
April 15, 2010 at 6:41 AM
sweetbay said…
Magnificent Phillip. I agree that April is a crazy month. It'd be nice to be able to go a month without sleep.

I love the azalea. So unique-looking. You have some plants that I covet, including Snow Wreath and the single Kerria. OK all of them. :)

Beautiful show.
April 15, 2010 at 7:04 AM
Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said…
I felt like I was reading through a garden magazine. Your pictures of the flowers are so pretty. I always enjoy seeing your garden!
April 15, 2010 at 7:42 AM
Anonymous said…
OMG, great photography. May I ask what you are shooting with? Maybe the lens too as you have great close ups. Matti
April 15, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Granna said…
Just beautiful! I love the idea of having the month of April off work to tend to the garden...and May and June...
April 15, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Phillip Oliver said…
Matti, I have a Nikon D50. The lens for the close-ups is a 50mm Nikon lens (here it is on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=oss_product)

Thanks for visiting my blog!
April 15, 2010 at 8:34 AM
sweetbay said…
Hi Phillip, you commented on the earliness of Cl. Old Blush... it's always one of my earlier roses. It's in full sun all day and going by past years it's a 1/3 open so far. I first saw this year at Niche Gardens in Chapel Hill and fell in love. Can't wait to see yours too!
April 15, 2010 at 9:11 AM
Gail said…
Phillip, Yes, to getting the entire month off...There is a lot to do and so much to see in the garden~Yours is looking stellar~and your photos are delightful...I love the bluebells and the columbine. I have kerria and just dug her up to move to a shadier spot~~not sure where yet! I need more time off! gail
April 15, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Darla said…
Oh Phillip,

Having the month of April off to putter around the garden would be divine! Your blooms are jaw dropping gorgeous..
April 15, 2010 at 9:56 AM
C. C. said…
Just lovely, everything. And yes April is the best month ever. I stroll through my gardens 3x in the morning before going to work, with the excuse that the dogs "need" to go out. And in the evenings I'm outside until dark. There's always a new discovery. I'm definitely getting some of those bluebells. I have tons of Spanish bluebells, but the Virginians are amazing, and as someone noted, would be beautiful next to my pulmonaria.
April 15, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said…
I knew you'd have a riot of blooms for this Bloom Day Phillip. I was not disappointed! The Kerria is interesting. I wonder if they grow around here? And that azalea you found on eBay is really nice. Ah, I wish I was sitting in your garden right now!
April 15, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said…
Awesome blooms, Phillip! Makes me want to go home again :-) We're having the best April in my memory here as well.

I can't believe your Chinese Snowball is in bloom this early! Our neighbor has one on my fence and its just now leafing out.
April 15, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Lisa at Greenbow said…
WOW Phil, your garden looks like a flowerifus disneyland. Magical. I quite agreee that we should have the month of April off. Happy GBBD.
April 15, 2010 at 1:06 PM
joey said…
Stunning, Phillip, and your photos outstanding! You are ahead of me but we have several similar goodies. Oh, heavenly spring :)
April 15, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Pam/Digging said…
Beautiful photos, Phillip. You have some sure winners in here for the Green theme at GGW's photo contest.
April 15, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Les said…
What great plants and great photos. You have a good eye.
April 15, 2010 at 6:24 PM
frazzledsugarplummum said…
I just love looking at your garden photos. Your photographs are superior and the subject matter beautiful. You always have something interesting to say and see. THanks for sharing.
April 15, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Queer by Choice said…
You sure weren't kidding about a riot of blooms! With all that going on in the yard, I don't know how you can stand to ever go in the house.
April 16, 2010 at 1:48 AM
Layanee said…
All gorgeous shots. Spring is well under way here and in your garden, I see signs of summer.
April 16, 2010 at 4:19 AM
Jan said…
I can well understand why you can't keep up with this riot of blooms! Absolutely gorgeous! My kerria (single flower) bloomed only briefly as I waited until spring to cut it back. I knew I was cutting off the buds, but I had let the bushes get so massive that they were taking over. I had wanted to trim them back in the fall, but was so afraid of getting covered with ticks that I hesitated! (Is that crazy? I did have lyme disease last year!). I cut them to the ground in March when there were no leaves & it was easy. They've bushed out nicely, but only a couple of buds remained. I believe they will re-bloom later in the summer. I can't believe how huge your Euphorbia are! I just planted several very small ones and just KNOW I didn't leave enough space for them to grow. I will no doubt have to move them in time. I enjoyed everything here, Phillip--go ahead, take the rest of the month off and just soak it all in;-)
April 16, 2010 at 6:15 AM
D said…
Phillip your garden has exploded with stunning beauty and color, a work of art, just as your photos are. Have a wonderful weekend and take some time to inhale amidst all that beauty. I on the other hand will be repotting vegetable seedlings that are outgrowing their pots. :)
April 16, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Tom - 7th Street Cottage said…
Wow. I want your yard. It's just going to take me a few years. I've been searching for kerria in the garden center's catalogs of available plants. No one seems to offer it to the big box stores. I guess I'll just have to visit an actual nursery very soon.

In credible photos. Thank you.
April 16, 2010 at 7:23 AM
Melanie J Watts said…
I had to laugh because where I live June is the month of madness. Your garden looks wonderful Philip. Maybe by June mine will have caught up to yours.
April 16, 2010 at 8:21 AM
Nature Assassin said…
It's clearly been stated, but your bloom photographs are just breathtaking. I'm tempted to make a slo-mo slideshow for when I need a moment of serenity! Please keep them coming :)
April 16, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Grumpy Gardener said…
Man, I have to get up there and see your garden! Unless, of course, all the blooms are over for another year....
April 16, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said…
Oh, Phillip, that was lovely. I dearly love your garden views. They are wondrous indeed, and you and I grow many of the same plants. I think the kerrias are so rewarding and easy to grow. Have you seen the variegated single? I killed it once when we had irrigation installed in that bed. I would like to try it again. Also, can't believe you found that plant on ebay.~~Dee
April 17, 2010 at 1:17 PM
debsgarden said…
Fantastic! You are only a little north of me, so I am comforted I can grow most of what you show here. I'm making notes! That first photo took by breath away. i knew your garden had to be gorgeous in the spring, and it is!
April 17, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Sylvana said…
The solomon seal picture is amazing! It's so vivid.
April 17, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Sarah Laurence said…
Your wisteria is stunning! Thanks for adding some much needed color to my day. It snowed in Maine yesterday.
April 18, 2010 at 6:40 AM
Elisa said…
Oh, how your pics move my soul. Would you mind sharing what kind of camera you use?
April 18, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Anonymous said…
Beautiful, as always. I was thrilled to see how large your Chinese snowball looks in the picture. I planted one last fall and it's blooming like mad. I hope it grows and grows!

Barbara H.
April 18, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Anonymous said…
Oh Phillip, your garden and the photos you are sharing are simply the best ever! That Solomen's seal curled my toes! I love the idea of nothing but gardening for the month of April, so much to do and appreciate. :-)
Frances
April 19, 2010 at 2:20 PM
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