First, a reminder. If you haven't yet gotten out to see the magnolias in bloom, treat yourself to a walk, today!
Some times when we focus on ground cover plants for their foliage we forget that they too flower. Pachysandra is certainly a reliable and durable ground cover in New York. The flowers actually have a sweet scent to them, but they are not always so easy to come by. Plant
Pachysandra in rich, well-drained soil to get established, and it will do very well for you. Tolerates deep shade. Do keep in mind that
Pachysandra terminalis is one aggressive spreader and left unattended it can get a little out of control, especially in the country. For a less aggressive grower, check out the native variety,
Pachysandra procumbens.
The cherry trees have definitely popped!
Cherry trees, like pears (below) and crabapples (not quite yet), are members of the rose family (Rosaceae); they have the picturesque five-petaled flower botanists know all too well. You can usually tell the cherries apart with their smooth bark and pronounced horizontal lenticels. As far as their shape, most want to spread out, but there is lots of variation among the different species.
When the pears around the city bloom you can't help but notice. Most likely 'Bradford' Callery pears, these trees are known for their small habit and profuse cloud-like bloom in spring. But don't allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes, these trees are structurally a really bad choice in the landscape. Next time you walk by one, look and see where all the branches fork out, and you will realize that they all emerge from the same spot. Over time added layers of bark end up wedging against each other, eventually promoting this tree to completely split in more ways than one. Not a tree I would quick to plant. Some newer varieties have a better smell to them.
Along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade I found these rhododendrons putting out a fabulous bloom this morning. I would guess by the smaller leaf and flower that they are 'P.J.M. ' hybrids but I couldn't get close enough to ID to species. Here they are in a perfect spot, slightly protected, dappled shade, decent water, and airflow.
Muscari are tiny bulbs in the lily family (Liliaceae). Each bloom is only 4" to 6" tall, but they do have great character for a small flower. Plant in the fall for spring bloom. Well-drained soil, full sun.
First, a reminder. If you haven't yet gotten out to see the magnolias in bloom, treat yourself to a walk, today!
Some times when we focus on ground cover plants for their foliage we forget that they too flower. Pachysandra is certainly a reliable and durable ground cover in New York. The flowers actually have a sweet scent to them, but they are not always so easy to come by. Plant Pachysandra in rich, well-drained soil to get established, and it will do very well for you. Tolerates deep shade. Do keep in mind that Pachysandra terminalis is one aggressive spreader and left unattended it can get a little out of control, especially in the country. For a less aggressive grower, check out the native variety, Pachysandra procumbens.
The cherry trees have definitely popped!
Cherry trees, like pears (below) and crabapples (not quite yet), are members of the rose family (Rosaceae); they have the picturesque five-petaled flower botanists know all too well. You can usually tell the cherries apart with their smooth bark and pronounced horizontal lenticels. As far as their shape, most want to spread out, but there is lots of variation among the different species.
When the pears around the city bloom you can't help but notice. Most likely 'Bradford' Callery pears, these trees are known for their small habit and profuse cloud-like bloom in spring. But don't allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes, these trees are structurally a really bad choice in the landscape. Next time you walk by one, look and see where all the branches fork out, and you will realize that they all emerge from the same spot. Over time added layers of bark end up wedging against each other, eventually promoting this tree to completely split in more ways than one. Not a tree I would quick to plant. Some newer varieties have a better smell to them.
Along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade I found these rhododendrons putting out a fabulous bloom this morning. I would guess by the smaller leaf and flower that they are 'P.J.M. ' hybrids but I couldn't get close enough to ID to species. Here they are in a perfect spot, slightly protected, dappled shade, decent water, and airflow.
Muscari are tiny bulbs in the lily family (Liliaceae). Each bloom is only 4" to 6" tall, but they do have great character for a small flower. Plant in the fall for spring bloom. Well-drained soil, full sun.
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