Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
I FOUND IT NECESSARY to take a break from my April chores today, in order to give my back, elbows and knees a chance to recover from last weekend’s gardening marathon. Also, I wanted an excuse to photograph the hyacinths, like ‘White Pearl,’ above, and other flowers that bring me so much pleasure here in early spring. Would you like to see these blooming beauties? Click each photo for an enhanced view:
In the Serpentine Garden, the savory-scented Witch hazel, Hamamelis vernalis, makes a yellow-and-orange background for a cluster of Hyacinthus ‘Blue Jacket.’ Like all Dutch hyacinths, Blue Jacket is heavily — and heavenly — perfumed. The grape-hyacinth, Muscari, also sweet, is just starting to bloom in the foreground.
Puschkinia, planted en masse beneath a crabapple tree in the Serpentine Garden, also carries a sweet air. I hope you’ll consider this minor bulb with blue-striped white flowers for your own garden.
Here, Chiondoxa, or “Glory of the Snow,” blooms beneath another crabapple tree in the Serpentine Garden. Its blue and white stars are glorious indeed.
Beneath a Yoshino cherry tree, Dutch hyacinths and ‘Tete a Tete’ daffodils make a scented, yellow and white portrait.
A purple explosion will occur later in the month, when this group of heirloom ‘Van der Neer’ tulips comes into bloom. The bulbs are planted in a bed of vinca minor.
In a small border beside the garden shed, the “Grecian Wind Flower,” Anemone, reveals its lavender locks. Note to self: plant more Anemones next fall!
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Related Posts:
What To Do in April
The Serpentine Garden (or, How I Carved Heaven Out of Hell)
Eranthis hyemalis – The Winter Aconite
Phoebe says
Lovely! Hope your back (and knees and elbows) feel better.
Adele says
The minor bulbs (pushkinia chiondoxa in particular) are terrific in the garden, because they come up so early. Nice to see them massed as you have them, Kevin. I'll have to look for anemones next year. Will you remind me?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Phoebe – I feel better already. So it's back to work tomorrow, pruning the rose bushes and planting tomato seeds. Well, that's my plan, anyway!
Adele – Yes, I'll remind everyone about the blue anemones and other minor bulbs when it is time to plant them…in the fall.
Justin says
My hyacinths are in bloom now too. If I cut some of the flowers for vase arrangements, will the bulbs be harmed in any way? Or is it only the leaves that have to remain on the plant?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – feel free to cut the flowers. Let the foliage remain until it withers. The foliage feeds the bulb, and enables it to produce the embryo flower for the following spring.
Anne Schomaker says
Having just had the privilege of walking Kevin's garden with him, I remain in awe of what he has created in this space. The color combinations and perfume released in each area by planning carefully has produced a most unique setting.