Grandmother Malus

We have an ancient crabapple (Malus sp.) at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.  To part the foliage and stand under the shelter of its branches is to enter another world.

Bloom Day - And It's a Busy One

     Even though this is the first spring in 16 years in which I am not working 6 days a week, there has been little time for blogging. When the weather is good and I have the energy, I am in my garden, and it is such a nice change to have that time in spring. I am also trying to get ready for a tour that is coming to see my garden next month, which has put much on my to-do list.  When the weather isn't nice or it's dark out, my computer time has been spent working on a new kayaking blog, which has not been formally launched yet, but you can check out the progress by clicking the link in my sidebar. I also now have a regular writing gig in Virginia Gardener magazine, and it is taking up more time than anticipated,  In late March I started the Virginia Master Naturalist training program, which I am loving, but it involves class time and field trips. We also have a new canine member of the house, Isabel the Plott Hound, and though we love her, she is not quite ready to be left unattended for long periods of time.  However, I did find time to take some photos of the garden this weekend, and to come up with a Bloom Day post.

Rhododendron x 'Red Ruffles' (Red Ruffles Azalea)

Corydalis heterocarpa var. japonica

Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'

Viburnum x juddii (Judd Viburnum)

Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball Viburnum)

Euphorbia helioscopia (Madwoman's Milk) is an invasive weed that blooms late winter to early spring, but I do love the color.

Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells)

Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' (Redbor Kale)

Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'

My Camellia japonica 'Cherries Jubilee' has so many flowers on it right now, it is almost touching the ground from the weight of all the blooms.  It has been a remarkable year for camellias in this area.

This is the first year I have grown Calendula officinalis (Pot Maridgold). This cultivar is 'Costa Orange' that was left over from some we grew at work.

I know you all are probably sick of seeing this quince (Chaenomeles x 'Hime') in each Bloom Day post, but it has bloomed each month since November of last year.

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Forest Pansy Eastern Redbud)

Canis domesticus 'Penny' and 'Isabel'

If you want to see what is keeping other gardeners busy this spring, then you should visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of each month.