It is cold and clear this morning. As you can see I was out in the beautiful morning. Even as cold as it is there are things to see in the garden. These tough plants will bloom despite the weather. The welcome promise of spring in swelling buds and the color of blossoms in bloom get me excited about the end of winter.
Forsythia X intermedia
This Forsythia was pre-existing on my property. I’m not sure of the variety but it is probably common Forsythia X intermedia, easy to grow and very yellow. I remember my mom bringing the twigs indoors and forcing the blooms in the dead of winter. It is a member a of the Oleaceae family and has light green leaves that appear after flowering. This is one plant like willow that will root in water if left after the blooms fade.
White forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)
This deciduous shrub is related to the forsythia, but differs in that it has white flowers that open in early spring before true forsythia. It is also a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). In early spring, before the new leaves form, purplish buds all along the grey naked branches open into small white four-petal, almond-scented flowers with yellow stamens. After flowering, green, glossy abelia-like leaves appear.
Hamamelis Jelena
Of course anyone that knows me knows I love orange. This is Hamamelis Jelena, a wonderful witchhazel that loves to bloom now with its coppery orange flowers lighting up the winter landscape. The bare branches have a sculptural quality that is a treat before flowering. The leaves come out after flowering and are wonderful ovals with deep ribs. The fall color is simply amazing too. It is hard to beat this plant for year round interest. It is one of those amazing ‘earn its place in the garden’ plants.
Hamamelis Diana
possibly Arnolds Promise
I live close to the Bloedel Reserve which is a fabulous garden on Bainbridge Island. These two pictures are from the front entry. The striking Hamamelis in both the Orange (Hamamelis Diana) and Yellow (possibly Arnolds Promise) colors make a beautiful entry point. Remember from a design point of view these do earn their space in the garden. There are several varieties available including yellow, orange and red flowers, some are intensely fragrant. I did stumble across a Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’ (Fire Charm) at Valley Nursery today. It somehow found a place in my car and will soon find a place in my new garden.
And last but not least here is a picture of the forsythia and abelliophylum in the process of forcing on my desk. I recently picked up some purple tulips and will pull some more forsythia from the garden to force together. The yellow and purple will make a stunning combination.
