April
Magnolia kobus
Magnolia kobus (Magnolia kobus)
is a species of Magnolia native to Japan and Korea and occasionally cultivated in temperate areas. It is a deciduous, small to tall tree which has a slow rate of growth but can reach 49” tall.
Star magnolia
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata),
sometimes called the star magnolia, is a slow-growing shrub or small tree native to Japan. It bears large, showy white or pink flowers in early spring, before its leaves open.
Yoshino cherry
Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis)
is regarded as one of the most spectacular flowering trees, for its thousands of showy, almond-scented blossoms in early spring. The Yoshino cherry is a fast growing, deciduous tree that can reach 40-50 ft.
Saucer magnolia
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia X soulangeana)
is a very popular flowering tree or large shrub that was first cultivated in 1826.
It is a beautiful lawn tree with huge, saucer-shaped white blooms, pink on outside, on bare branches in late winter into early spring. Large leathery leaves, smooth gray bark, and yellow fall color add to the seasonal interest.
Andromeda Japonica
Andromeda Japonica (Pieris japonica)
is a slow-growing evergreen shrub to small tree that grows 9-13 feet tall in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is native to eastern Asia where it grows in mountain thickets. It features drooping clusters (racemes to 6 inches long) of lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
is easy to grow from bulb to bloom. The beautiful spikes of flowers provide a strong, sweet fragrance. They are perennial bulbs and are often planted directly in the ground outdoors, though these easy bulbs are also excellent for forcing in container gardens or being made to flower indoors during the winter. They represent constancy and sincerity. The name is derived from the Greek word meaning purple. Hyakinthos (Hyacinthus) was a handsome young Spartan prince loved by the gods Apollon and Zephyros.
Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
is a deciduous shrub or small understory tree, native to eastern North America, and blooms in a profusion of rosy pink flowers, which appear before its somewhat heart-shaped leaves of 2–6 inches. The blossoms are also edible and can add a bright, citrusy taste to salads. The unopened buds can also be pickled and used as a caper substitute.
Pink forsythia
Pink forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum Roseum)
– This deciduous, easy to grow, compact shrub is fragrant and related to the forsythia, but differs in that it has white rather than yellow flowers that open in early spring. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). Because of its early flowering, forsythia stands for spring sun and anticipation.
Crabapple
Crabapple (Malus)
is a genus of about 30–55 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple – also known as the eating, cooking or culinary apple. The other species are commonly known as crabapples, crabtrees, or wild apples.
Shadblow
Shadblow (Amelanchier Canadensis)
is a Serviceberry, and one of the first native trees to bloom in the spring, when the shad are running in the rivers. They are large deciduous ornamental bushes or small trees. The fragrant flowers will appear before the leaves and attract many native, hungry, spring-flying pollinators. The flowers will give way to attractive dark purple berries, an important food source for many birds, and crescendos into brilliant fall leaves in shades of red and gold.
March
Winter aconite
Winter aconite (Eranthis) is an early-blooming spring groundcover that is perennial and ephemeral. It symbolizes hope, rebirth and new beginnings.
Rhododendron ‘Cornell Pink’
‘Cornell Pink’ (Rhododendron mucronulatum) is native to Asia. It is a dense, upright deciduous shrub that grows to a height and width of 4 to 8 feet.
Forsythia
Forsythia – When winter finally ends, this deciduous shrub is ready to reenergize the early spring landscape with bright, lively hues. Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, Oleaceae.
Daffodil
Daffodil (Narcissus) is a flowering perennial bulb in the amaryllis family. It gets its name from the Greek god Narcissus, who was so obsessed with his reflection in the water that he drowned attempting to capture it.
Lenten rose
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. It is not a rose at all but a hellebore hybrid whose blooms are similar to a rose. The plants bloom in early spring, often during the season of Lent.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is a deciduous shrub that features showy, fragrant buttery, yellow strap-like flowers along its branches from late winter to early spring, before the leaves emerge. It typically matures to 10 to 15 feet tall with a rounded shape.
Chinese Witch hazel
Chinese Witch hazel (Corylopsis sinensis) is a deciduous shrub native to China. It has an upright, spreading, rounded shape and grows 10 to 15 feet tall. Nodding racemes of drooping, mildly fragrant, yellow flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge.
Snowdrop
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is a perennial bulb that is native to Europe and Asia. Galanthus is Greek for “milk,” while nivalis means “snow-like.” Snowdrops symbolize rebirth and the ability to overcome challenges in life.
Winter jasmine
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a small, evergreen shrub, and one of the earliest bloomers, often in January. It is a spreading, multistemmed plant that typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall. The cheery, buttery blooms help dispel winter’s gloom but are not fragrant.
Pussy willow
Pussy willow ((Salix discolor) is a medium-size shrub, a species of willow that can be found dotting wetlands and moist woods throughout much of North America. The familiar, silvery-gray, furry catkins appear before leaf emergence. Deciduous leaves are broad, bright-green and shiny.
Photo credits – Lorraine Meyer