Early April and the garden starts to emerge.

An angel nestled comfortably in the ground cover.

This image shows how bright Heuchera Citronelle and Lime Light foliage is against the rest of the plants in this bed.

A Declaration Lilac starting to bloom. I lost a large limb on this plant and I'm not sure why.

An unknown species of white azalea.

Lunaria Annua, also called the Money Plant has translucent silver dollar like seed pods that form after the flowers fade.

We planted two Delaware Valley White Azaleas this year. They have larger blooms and reach five feet tall.  Should be a showy display in a few years.

Delphinium elatum Guardian Blue starting to show off.

Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding Heart and the Buddha.... chillin'.

These are Liberty Hosta and boy do they standout.  The leaves are large and the yellow edges are very bright. We moved about 20 to a new bed in the back of the garden so next Spring should be quite showy.

Today while researching our Spirea, I discovered that I had used the incorrect name. This is Vanhoutte spirea (S. vanhouttei), commercially sold as Bridal Wreath Spirea. The other Spirea on this blog is actually Thunberg Spirea (S. thunbergii), commercially sold as Baby's Breath Spirea. In fact, we stopped by a garden center today and they had a Baby's Breath labeled as a Bridal Wreath. Clear as mud right? The easy way to tell is S. thunbergii bloom early and has flowers all over the stems while S. Vanhouttei blooms later and has round clusters.

Another confusing name game is the Rhododendron x 'Hotspur Yellow' that is also sold as an azalea and it isn't yellow. The flowers are beautiful with a nice fragrance. We planted two last year and were so happy with the blooms we bought another.

This is Max "The Critter Killer" striking a pose.

Gotta love lilac!

This is Evangeline Lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiflora). Planted last season it has now produced very large, showy, fragrant flowers. Its blooms much earlier than other lilac so you extend the season of fragrance by planting a few of these in a sunny location.

A closeup of another Evangeline Lilac bloom. The fragrance is excellent. I don't understand why garden centers won't feature lilac during it's blooming season in our area. They always showcase azaleas, rhodos, hydrangea and crepe myrtle but show no love for lilac.

We planted a few Rhododendron x 'Hotspur Yellow' (this is also sold as an Exbury Azalea). They are about ready to explode with blooms so I thought I would post the first to pop open.

 A bumble bee enjoying a snack of Kerria Japonica pollen.

Zen and the art of Bleeding Hearts (dicentra) and Lilac Wonder tulips. The white Iris on the left will bloom next month.

Warm spring brings early blooms.

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' really did take root over the last season and is blooming nice this spring. Its will probably take over the entire corner of the raise bed its in.

Magnolia 'Betty' finally took hold this season and bloomed more than it every has. It usually blooms in April.

Another combo shot of the Bridal Wreath (foreground) and Peach tree (background). The flowers of Bridal Wreath (Spiraea prunifolia 'Plena') are sterile and does not set seed. It will self-root as lower limbs touch the soil and start to grow roots.

Start of the 2012 season! A mild winter and warm spring brings early flowers.

Narcissus "Chromacolor" is one of the best performing daffodils. It blooms just as the King Alfred's are starting to wane. 

The  Plum trees are blooming nice this spring. This is by far the best display since we planted the trees.

The mild winter and very warm spring (its 83 in March!) really made the slow growing Helleborus bloom heavily. They have been blooming since December.

Forsythia is usually one of the first to bloom. Its now blooming with the trees.

We planted a Chinese Apricot tree last spring and this is the first season for blooms. It appears to have  settled in nicely so we expect lots of growth this season.

The classic Peach tree blossoms.  The plants are flowering so early that we don't have many pollinators to take advantage of the flowers.

Fall color on Skyline Drive

Fall is here and the final blooms of the season.

The Monkshood was not as vigorous this year but still put out some nice blooms.

Mardi Gras Rose glowing as the always do.

Orange Mystery Rose. We always have large fragrant blooms on this unknown variety. 

The end of September and the garden gives one last flourish.

Penny Mac Hydrangeas blooming for the last time this season.

Polygonum cuspidatum "Crimson Beauty" in full bloom.  They start out pale white and turn red. So far it has not been invasive.

The perfect mushroom with baby under the cap. With all the rain we've had since the hurricane the spores are abundant. We have shrooms everywhere.

Good 'Ol pink Knockout Rose.

The last of the Peppermint Schnapps Hibiscus.  This one reached about 8 feet.