Thunder brings out the buds and the blooms

March 18, 2013

Thunder brings out the buds and the blooms


Sauce Magnolia "Rustic Rubra"

There is always a day in early spring (or late winter to be accurate) when you wake up and look outside and the plants are noticeably greener and buds are popping out all over. This is often preceded by a thunderstorm and I've always heard the old saying that thunder causes buds to open. We had a nice thunderstorm last week and thunder is again rumbling this morning.

When I looked out the window this morning, the first thing I noticed that that the hedges were greener than usual and much more vibrant. There are other signs that spring has arrived.

Buds opening on the hydrangeas - don't prune them off!

Starflower (Ipheion)

Kerria (Kerria japonica)

Bear's Foot Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)

Ornamental Kale going to seed

Vinca major

Rosemary "Arp"

Euphorbia "Despina"

Loropetalum - not sure about the vareity. It was purchased about 12 years ago at Wilkerson Mills Nursery in Georgia. I found the receipt in my garden journal and it said "Witch Hazel - Loropetalum". It is very large (see the following photo) and always blooms early and is always lovely.

Camellia "Spring Festival"

Camellia "Professor Sargent"

Camellia "Taylor's Perfection"

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

Anonymous said…

Oh Phillip, it's gorgeous! I've heard that saying too. I think it's the nitrogen fixation caused by the thunder and lightning. Thank you for sharing it with us.~~Dee

March 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Lisa at Greenbow said…

We had lots of rain showers yesterday interspersed with snow showers so no bursting buds for us. It won't be long though. Seeing your buds make me more anxious than ever. Still shivering here in SW IN.

March 18, 2013 at 11:22 AM

Larry said…

Philip... This post really gets my blood moving... So very beautiful as I sit here in the midst of a snowstorm (also beautiful, but no longer welcome!)

My Rusticated Rubra has never bloomed as it is not that old... It's getting some size now and has many healthy buds.... Perhaps this year!

Thanks for sharing... I always love seeing your spring garden!

Larry

March 18, 2013 at 12:15 PM

Larry said…

I meant Rustica Rubra... Sorry...L

March 18, 2013 at 12:17 PM

C. C. said…

So beautiful! I can tell I've been on Facebook too much when I try to click "Like" on your photos. :)

You're just a bit ahead of us here in NC. I'm really looking forward to walking around the garden the next 2-3 weeks and seeing new growth emerge.

March 18, 2013 at 3:07 PM

outlawgardener said…

Hooray! Beautiful spring blooms. Your magnolia is a little ahead of ours but most of your other blooms are pretty much at the same place as those here. Your garden is stunning as always!

March 18, 2013 at 3:57 PM

Leslie Kimel said…

Wow, these pictures are great! My favorite is the one with the statue canopied by the saucer magnolia. I also like the shot of the delicate kerria. You've got me so excited for spring!

March 18, 2013 at 6:07 PM

Unknown said…

Your spring plantings are beautiful! My camellias,here in Florida,are just about done.They were wonderful this year,as are your's.Send some of your rain this way.We could use it here in West Central Florida.

March 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM

sharon said…

bloomin awesome!

March 18, 2013 at 9:32 PM

Randy said…

Phillip I was just wondering what something was and now I see it on your post. Colvin's entire yard, front and back is filled with star flowers right now.

March 19, 2013 at 5:21 AM

Alison said…

We have such a long, slow, cold spring up here in the PNW, it's nice to see so much color there. Especially that white Loropetalum, it's gorgeous! Does it have a nice scent too?

March 19, 2013 at 9:39 AM

Eve said…

Everything is perfect!!!!

March 19, 2013 at 5:04 PM

Casa Mariposa said…

So much in bloom! It's all beautiful! I've never heard that thunder makes a plant bloom, although I have heard lightning is good for a garden because of all the extra nitrogen. However, I'm not signing up my yard to be hit by lightning! I'll just fertilize!

March 19, 2013 at 7:31 PM

Anonymous said…

That thing about thunders is funny and quite real if I think about it we had a thunderstorm here as well just before buds started to become greener!
Your garden is beautiful and I love that euphorbia and the which hazel is huge!!!

March 20, 2013 at 4:35 AM

RobinL said…

Gah! That magnolia is fabulous! It's nice to know that someone out there is having spring. Now send it north!

March 22, 2013 at 6:59 AM

Anonymous said…

Lovely.. my favorite among all of them would be the Vinca major. As it is used as a groundcover. Although its flowers are small and rather insignificant, its evergreen appeal lasts year-round.

March 24, 2013 at 8:38 PM