I still have some holdovers from my March Landscaping Report performing quite well in my April landscape. 
For example, while I had some daffodils bloom early enough to make it into my March report, they've really come into their own in April. My star magnolia buds had barely started cracking open in March when I mentioned them, so this month's shout-out for them is really more appropriate. Another holdover worth mentioning is Lenten rose, although this plant could be said to "cheat" by sporting long-lasting sepals as its primary source of color, rather than flowers, per se.
But enough about my holdovers. It's a brand-new month with a brand-new set of stars. Let me list them for your perusal:
- Dutchman's breeches
- Wood spurge
- Bleeding heart
- Grape hyacinth
- Forsythia (see picture above)
- Creeping phlox
- Moonshadow Euonymus
- Pasque flower
How about you? Vote in my poll and let us know what plants are shining most brightly in your own yard right now. Or to mention a specific plant I didn't include in the poll, vote "Other" and leave a comment telling us about the plant you wish to nominate.
Comments
I wish I could use these beautiful plants here. Unfortunately the climate in southern Louisiana is way too hot and humid.
On the plus side, Charlie, you can probably display tropical flowers outside for far more days during the course of the year than can I.
I’d vote for Tulips! Definitely the show-stopper here in April.
Tulips!! They put on a show the entire month here. Those and rhododendrons are my April favorites.
Thanks, Shannon. My tulips will be in “prime time” next month.
I voted for bleeding heart, creeping phlox and lenton rose…but also ‘other’, for pulmonaria, brunnera and native columbine which are also stars here right now.
Jan,
Pulmonaria, brunnera and columbine are also part of my landscaping right now, although I don’t grow the native columbine exclusively. Of that triad, the pulmonaria is currently in bloom for me. I love the way the flowers are bicolored (pink and blue).
David, Just a note to tell you how informative and interesting I find your newsletter. I consider myself a pretty informed gardener after so many years of gardening, but I always learn something new in your newsletter. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Cornelian Cherry is our early spring favorite. It actually belongs to the cornus family
Dan,
I don’t grow one, but I enjoy seeing one that I know of growing on a college campus that I visit. Nice tree.
Donna,
Thank you so much! You’re very kind.