How our Garden still Looks Good after the Cherry Blossoms have gone with the wind

After much fanfare of the magnificent cherry blossoms, what's to keep our garden looking still beautiful?

Cherry blossoms produce beautiful, abundant flowers, but their display is brief and easily ruined by rain and wind, leaving behind bare branches and scattered petals. Because of this short-lived beauty and our area's unpredictable weather during peak bloom, I’ve chosen not to plant cherry trees in my garden.

I enjoy viewing cherry blossoms around the city, from parks to streets in Vancouver and Richmond. But owning one or a small bunch of cherry trees at home isn’t financially worth it for me.

To satisfy my urge for spring blooms, I’ve gathered several early-blooming plants for our small garden, choosing carefully due to space constraints.

The Changing Blooms of Our GardenTransition from Cherry Blossoms to Weigela and Forsythia

Following the decline of cherry blossoms, variegated weigela becomes prominent in the garden, displaying vibrant blooms.

Located near several clusters of lemon-yellow forsythia, the pink weigela flowers emerge just prior to the forsythia’s display. This sequence ensures a clear distinction between pink and yellow floral tones, aligning with a preference to avoid blending these colours within the landscape.

Magnolia stellata and Bridal Wreath Spirea in the Rear Garden

In the rear garden, two Magnolia stellata shrubs and neighbouring Bridal Wreath spirea provide fragrant white blooms. The magnolias’ sweet scent balances the stronger aroma of the spirea.

Red rhododendrons add color to this private, secluded space. A group of hydrangea, a swathe of hosta and mock orange are also planted here, but the huge balls of pink and blue hydrangea and the mock orange do not come until summer yet.

Front Garden Features

The front garden features pruned English boxwood, dwarf Alberta spruce, rhododendrons under pines, heather, Japanese aralia, dwarf Mugo pines, and Japanese holly for a structured look.

Two Sawara cypress cascade near the entrance walkway; though pruning is planned, their current form is natural and flowing.

Various azaleas and rhododendrons interspersed with roses. Yet, their blooms don't show up till next month. Their numerous buds, however, signal a promise of bountiful flowers come June.

Spring Interest

At the front corner, tulips, rockcress, heather, daffodils, and annuals like primula and pansies create a colorful spring display, highlighted by hakonechloa grass borders that draw visitor attention.

Walkway and Southeast Corner Highlights

At the end of the front walkway, hyacinths, muscaris, crocuses, bleeding hearts, Pasque flowers, and tulips offer varied colors and evening fragrance.

In the southeast corner, a weeping plum and an apple tree bloom with pastel pink and white flowers. The trees are underplanted with tulips, bluebells, hellebores, forget-me-not, and brunnera Jack Frost.

At the tree line, columbines, lungwort, and daffodils complete the low-maintenance, harmonious palette of blues and pastels.

Additionally, clusters of tulips and daffodils, alongside wild cornflowers that have self-seeded, populate the base of a row of budding azaleas near these prominent areas of the garden.

Within a week, these azaleas transform the southeastern front garden, providing a display of pure white, fuchsia pink, magenta, and maroon.

Although it is still early spring and the cherry blossom season has already passed, anticipation remains high for continued blooms as the season progresses into summer.

The home garden, much like many gardens, reaches its peak in early summer, when most plants are in full bloom and attracting attention.

Gardening offers a rewarding experience through its ever-changing seasons.

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If you want to read a similar blog story on early Spring gardening delights, here’s the link: https://sansenleevendiola.wordpress.com/2023/05/01/april-showers-may-flowers/