Spring is continuing to progress here in Southern Iowa and now it is really starting to become visible to many residents. Lawns have begun to turn green and early trees and shrubs such as Lilac bushes and Willow have begun to develop leaves adding a rare hint of green on a relatively dull landscape. My Northern Gold forsythia has just started to bloom today which adds vivid yellow. I will post photos once it reaches full flower. As for trees, Silver Maples have completed their flowering but Red Maple flower buds are starting to open. Elms are still in full swing but all of these trees in their flowering stage do not appear to be doing much of anything to most people unless you look closely. Ornamental trees such as Crabapples, Magnolias, Redbuds and Ornamental pear all have buds swelling and breaking but not much easily visual is going on. I noticed my Magnolia has shed the first layer of its buds and flower petals usually become visible next, in the weeks to come they will become spectacular.
In spring bulbs We have left Crocus season and have entered the Daffodil season as the first Daffodil opened on the first day of spring! ( March 20th ) Daffodils are my favorite flower and I especially like this Tete a Tete variety which is a miniature yellow Daffodil. They tend to be earlier then standard Daffodils but even they are not far behind and will be blooming in a few days.
Siberian Squill bloomed this week as well. These are another "minor" flowering spring bulb. Only 3" tall but their striking blue flowers look fantastic next to the Yellow Daffodils!
Here is a look at how the garden as a whole looks this week. As can be seen miniature Daffodils have begun to flower. Standard daffodils are getting very close to blooming and now just barely see the flower buds on the tulips which means they will not be far behind either. The next 2-3 weeks will be very beautiful week to be in Southern Iowa as some of the most beautiful flowering trees and plants will start to fill our everyday landscapes! Please take a little time to go outside enjoy this wonderful time of year.
