Early flowering shrubs and vines

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After unseasonably warm weather a few weeks ago (or was that a month ago!), it has turned downright nasty with cold temps and lots of rain. I'm not going to gripe about rain. I could do without the frigid climate though. This was Spring Break week but I had volunteered to work part of the week and now I'm glad I did. It has been cold and wet all week and I could not have accomplished much in the garden.

A few weeks ago, when it was tolerable, I took some photos of early spring flowering plants.


Alabama Snow Wreath  (Neviusia alabamensis) 

Click on image for larger photo



Fringe Flower- (Loropetalum chinense)



 Deutzia gracilis





Kerria japonica (Easter Rose)


 Carolina Jessamine





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

Becca's Dirt said…
Gorgeous fence line there. So many pretties growing along the fence and on the arbors. Beautiful.
March 31, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said…
You are much better than me, I have been complaining a lot about our weather. I just want to go outside and not be cold or get wet.
Your deutzia looks like one I have 'Chardonnay Pearls'. I really like the flowers on the Snow Wreath, I've never heard of that plant before. Hope it warms up there.
March 31, 2011 at 3:34 PM
scottweberpdx said…
That Neviusia is a beaty...love how is cascades through the fence!
March 31, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Jean Campbell said…
The earlies are pretty.

Kerria is used to great effect on steep slopes in Tallahassee along the street that runs south from the front of the old capital building.
March 31, 2011 at 8:06 PM
Anonymous said…
After digging up daylilies until dark, I'm still trying to warm up. I went by the new Coldwater Nursery behind Dale's just to check it out. I wasn't planning to get anything since it's so cool. I landed up getting a Nun's orchid (zone 8) just starting to bloom. I'm going to put it in a container so I can bring it in the garage this winter. Also got several nice petunia and a white lantana. I'm not complaining about the rain, but I was crazier than normal and invited my whole high school class over for a garden party during our #0th reunion next month and I need some dry weather to de-weed.
March 31, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Gail said…
I just missed getting an Alabama Snow Wreath~As I was reaching for the last one a faster shopper grabbed it! They are so lovely~Love the Kerria, too. gail
March 31, 2011 at 8:24 PM
Darla said…
Hoping this will be your last winter blast before spring truly sets in. Beautiful blooms, I want a white loro!
April 1, 2011 at 2:45 AM
Lisa at Greenbow said…
I can almost smell that Jasmine. Mmmmm We have had much of the same weathers. Booo. The garden slowly opens anyway. Amazing.
April 1, 2011 at 5:38 AM
sweetbay said…
Your spring flowers are beautiful. I have always admired the Single-flowered Kerria after seeing it in the display gardens at Niche.

I put the Snowwreath out last fall in a spot it should like. It looks wonderful in your garden.
April 1, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Anxiety Remedies said…
Love all the plants and flowers I'm seeing!
April 1, 2011 at 7:23 PM
serial tiller said…
Thanks for the pictures..now I have an idea what my small AL snow wreath will look like after some time has passed. It's putting up lots of new shoots and has some flowers. I think it is happy where I have it placed. Thanks again.
April 1, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Ginger said…
I have never heard of Alabama Snow Wreath or Easter Rose. Love to see these things on your blog since if they work where you live, they would probably work here as well. Now if only I had your green thumb :-)

Happy Spring!
April 2, 2011 at 6:48 PM
debsgarden said…
Fabulous shrubs! Alabama snow wreath is on my list. I couldn't find one this spring . Maybe next fall...your photos have made me even more greedy for one. This weekend is gorgeous, and I hope our cold weather is finally over. I have planted out my little vegetable garden, so I would be really upset if we had a late freeze!
April 3, 2011 at 5:59 AM
Chandramouli S said…
I was reading J R R Tolkien's Silmarillion and your garden looks similar to the description of the garden of Valar (The gods in the book). Lovely! Send some rain over here, it already feels like May here.
April 3, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Kelsey said…
I love the yellow and pink in the last photo! So fun!
April 10, 2011 at 8:47 PM
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