In recent weeks, a scattered few blooms promised that spring was on the way, contrary to evidence that winter was taking its time leaving. Finally, three eighty degree days banished cold temperatures, prompting flowers and foliage to progress quickly.
Not that I’ve caught up with the garden’s chores, but every minute of every weekend cannot be spent working in the garden. Some time must be devoted to family, so this weekend my wife and I hiked the Maryland side of Harpers Ferry. In fact, on this splendid, eighty degree Saturday afternoon I managed to plant a little before we headed out. After hiking several miles uphill (and hobbling back down on a sore ankle), I was in no condition to do anything when we returned home, though I did do a little planting Sunday morning before the rain moved in.
Virginia bluebells flowering in Maryland. I’ve grown Spanish bluebells, but not our natives. Now, I’m tempted .
Certainly, there will be another spell or two of cold in the last half of April, but it is unusual to have freezing temperatures this late. More rare are damaging freezes, though tender annuals and tropicals should not be set out for a few weeks. Today’s photos are trees from the garden, though only a fraction of the Japanese maples, dogwoods, and others that are not as notable in mid April. Later in the week there will be photos of shrubs and perennials that are flowering.
Redbuds are flowering two weeks later than usual. Two Silver Cloud redbuds are slightly behind the pace of native redbuds along area roadsides.Native dogwoods typically flower in mid April in this garden, but this and others will be a few days late. The red flowered, variegated leaf Cherokee Sunset will flower this year after several recent years with no blooms.The pale yellow flowered Elizabeth magnolia flowers later than other magnolias. Rarely are flowers ruined by freezes. Elizabeth is a tall growing hybrid of our the local native Cucumber magnolia with slightly smaller leaves.Jane magnolia bridges the gap between early flowering Star and Dr. Merrill magnolias, and Elizabeth, but this spring it is a bit late. Jane is a wide spreading tree, with scattered flowers through the summer.The Red buckeye began to leaf just before the last freeze so there was concern that it might be damaged. Temperatures didn’t drop as cold as forecast, so there was no injury.The Red Horse chestnut has become a favorite tree. I marvel as leaves unfold, and anxiously await its flowers.Following three eighty degree days, the Lion’s Head Japanese maple has leafed quickly.Shaina Japanese maple is leafing. In recent years this dwarf maple has been too crowded, but a spruce was removed over the winter to give it more space to spread.The Fernleaf Japanese maple is delightful while leafing in the spring, and its autumn leaf color is exceptional.
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
Redbuds and dogwoods! I wish I had gotten better pictures while ours were in bloom. Some of the dogwoods are still going.