No matter that there is minor disappointment in the delayed arrival of some spring flowers, every inch of the garden must be toured daily to witness the day’s emerging blooms. At first peek, identification is often unclear with so many small groupings of varied choices, but most reveal themselves shortly.

After a slow start, several patches of the native Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens, above) are coming along nicely. Given its slow growth I did not attempt to fill the larger, shallow rooted area beneath the Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) that has now flushed to a cover of Summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum, below). As snowflakes fade in late spring, a variety of barrenworts (Epimedium) and Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) will follow.

In other areas, where roots of maples and blackgum offer limited planting, wood poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum, below) fill any spaces unoccupied by the vigorous Robb’s spurge (Euphorbia robbiae). The density of the spurge varies annually, with thinner areas growing more dense while density wanes in others. With heavy root competition I am thankful for any cover of green, and now a variety of ferns fill spaces between thick roots.

The earliest trilliums (below) and dog toothed violets (Erythronium) are up and a few days short of their first flowers, and each day others appear, not always where expected. This discovery is the highlight of every day.