The precise date is an open question, and certainly unimportant, but when is the garden’s peak? No doubt, there are glorious days throughout the year. I am thrilled as witch hazels flower in January with dozens of hellebores soon to follow. There are favorites to enjoy in late summer and autumn, but inevitably, the garden stands out in spring.

The garden begins to fill with flowers in March with bulbs, then magnolias and camellias, but early April flowering of redbuds, then serviceberries, dogwoods, and Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina, above) begins an extraordinary progression. Late in April is particularly delightful, but so are the weeks to follow until the heat of summer tempers the garden’s exuberant growth.

With a modest collection of Japanese maples (below), I am enthused by the vibrant colors of newly emerging leaves. Colors will fade to varying degrees by July, but in full leaf, the maples enclose each area of the garden. A narrow glimpse beyond entices the visitor further into the garden.

Every turn in the garden’s narrow stone paths reveals a jewel, sometimes a glorious bloom, but also marvelous foliage. Today is splendid, but will tomorrow be even better? I think yes.