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May Trees

Redbud 'Flame Thrower' (Cercis canadensis) As May comes to an end, I thought I would share some trees that look good now.  First, the insanely beautiful 'Flame Thrower' redbud. I always hesitate to praise this tree because of their finicky nature. So far, so good on this one which is near our front door.  Snowbell and 'Wolf's Eyes' Dogwood in the background The Snowbell tree ( Styrax japonica ) has been spectacular for many weeks. I was up on the roof of the garden shed this morning and got an aerial view of it. It looks so much larger from above. The blooms are so heavy that the branches are bending down. A few years ago, I recall standing underneath it and the roar from bees buzzing around it was deafening. Last week, I was saddened to hear no bees at all. Fortunately, there are some a week later but not nearly as many as in the past. On the opposite side is 'Wolf's Eye' Dogwood ( Cornus kousa ) which always delivers. This is a small dogwood c...
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Ready for the April Showers

The front beds still awaiting mulch.

A great day in the garden and we got so much accomplished. It was Michael's first day in the garden (the slacker!). We spread a load of mulch, more pruning and clearing up debris and getting some containers potted up. Rain is on the way and we hope to get a good soaking overnight. Things are popping up all over and I swear I noticed new growth and flower formations by the end of the day that I didn't see this morning. The rain is sure to bring a flush of activity.

Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles 'Double Take Orange Storm') and Veronica 'Georgia Blue has been blooming for several weeks now. 


Rhododendron 'Taurus', an early blooming variety, provides a much-needed shot
of vibrant color to kick-start the season. Watch my video to see the bloom progression.

Lavender 'Platinum Blonde' is certainly the most attractive lavender in the garden this time of year. I've still not mastered how to prune or care for them. Most of the others in the garden look terrible right now although they usually rebound as the temperatures rise. Pruning is a must to keep them looking good.


Serviceberry (Amelanchier 'Autumn Brilliance') - this was taken last week and since then, it has increased the blooms. I love it and have wanted one for a long time. My hope is to attract cedar wax wings. Hopefully the rain won't ruin the blooms and I can get a better photo later.

Pieris 'Mountain Fire' - I transplanted it last year from the front garden to the back. 

Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), unbelievably beautiful but mostly obscured by the enormous 'Buff Beauty' rose in front of it. I had wanted to move it over the winter to the front garden but there isn't room for it anywhere. 

Another shrub in the back of the border that is obscured (in this case by hydrangea 'Alice'), is the Mountain Pepper (Drimys lanceolata). Very slow growing, it is a beautiful evergreen shrub and has improved with each year. More blooms this year than ever before!)

Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens) is a favorite of mine. It has never bloomed profusely, only a scattering of blooms, but a satisfying groundcover.

Hebe 'Pretty in Pink' is a lovely hebe with rich purple-tipped foliage.

Persicaria 'Red Dragon' - emerging foliage

Rhododendron 'PJM'

Camellia 'Donation'

Camellia 'Nuccio's Bella Rosa'

The street-side bed is freshly mulched. It will take several more loads to finish everything.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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