Typically, freezing nights dot the forecast at the start of April, but with afternoons in the sixties and seventies, the gardener no longer has concerns that temperatures will drop into the teens to inflict serious damage. Yes, it can happen. It has happened, but rarely enough, I have few worries. No matter, I’ve jumped ahead to haul the tropicals outdoors.

For weeks, I’ve been anxious to set potted aeoniums on the patios, and several mangaves are in the ground this afternoon (above) with others that have grown too large in pots. Two unusual, newly acquired plants in the aralia family (Brassaiopsis hispida and Trevisia palmata) have been potted, and both will go in and out of the greenhouse as the weather dictates. This spring, I’ll be potting a variety of begonias with colorful foliage along with assorted flowers, but supplies are still limited as garden centers are not as confident that freezes are in the past.

The yellow-leafed winter hazel (Corylopsis spicata ‘Ogon’, above) is often included on lists of winter flowering shrubs. It might bloom by the third week of March, hardly winter, though it’s a wonderful shrub with fine flowers and exceptional foliage (below).

The winter hazel has graciously allowed its transplanting to various positions in the garden. One was too damp, another too shaded. Today, it is back within feet of its original placement, but ditches dug have dried the area considerably. In this position near a path, the shrub will someday require pruning, but I’ll be happy when it becomes large enough to get in the way.

Leaves and flower buds of the yellow leafed, Lemony Lace elderberry (Sambucus racemosa Lemony Lace, above) are out. The early growth has tones of red that turn to yellow as the finely divided leaves mature (below). Its neighbor, one of the purple leafed smokebushes (Cotinus coggygria), is slow to come into leaf as is one with yellow foliage in the lower, rear garden. Both will be pruned as shrubs since their alloted spaces are small, so it’s unlikely either will flower.

The purple smokebush beside the yellow elderberry is a bit of a garish contrast (above), but I like it, and even my wife has never said a negative word.