The aged dogwood (Cornus florida) in the front garden seems to be in its best health in years. Leaf spotting is minimal and there is no sign of powdery mildew. A year ago, I feared the dogwood’s demise with many dead branch tips, but it has responded to my wishes (but no actions) with renewed vigor. Leaves that have been gnarled with disease in recent decades are now full sized and beginning their autumnal color change. Dead branches must still be removed, but I am no longer considering replacement trees.

Our native dogwoods are prone to a variety of maladies, and often the trees are short lived. This tree has survived decades with minor issues, so I’m overjoyed with its recovery. Unfortunately, I am seeing a decline in the Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) in somewhat damp ground in the side garden, while the yellow variegated selection (Cornus alternifolia ‘Golden Shadows’) is thriving several paces up slope.

I’ve been monitoring the red-flowered paperbush (Edgeworthia papyrifera ‘Akebono ‘) as it has recovered from an early May freeze that damaged emerging growth. I feared the young shrub would not survive, but it has surprised me with vigorous growth. I hoped that it might flower, but it appears that its energies have been spent in new leaves instead. Certainly, a very minor disappointment.

The typical, yellow tipped, white flowered paperbushes (Edgeworthia chrysantha, above) were also damaged by the late freeze. Dead branch tips were pruned, and gaps created by removed branches have filled as the pruning spurred lateral branch growth. Not every worry turns to become a joy, so I rejoice with every recovery.