As April winds down, the garden is full of small bursts of color from the early blooming plants.
Often, these plants bloom when the garden is still in a state of cleanup. These plants are often small and unnoticed, especially later in the summer after other plants draw more attention. However, they are the best source of early spring color and beauty.
This Lungwart (Pulmonaria 'High Contrast') has been in the garden since 2014 and has reliably filled a small niche within the stones along the north edge of the Zen garden. The blooms last a couple of weeks and add some much needed color to the garden, especially in the early spring when the garden seems bare.
A small Epimedium grandiflorum ('Spring Wedding') has also occupied a small niche within the rocks. The blooms arrive very early and only last a short time before they disappear. However, the delicate bloom of white and pink is a wonderful sight to behold. This plant has been a reliable as a rock-gap filler and continues to bring joy to the early spring garden viewing experience.
Throughout the garden there are a number of Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla "Jack Frost'). Planted as early as 2012, I have been able to take cuttings and spread new plants into small gaps throughout the garden, Many times new plants emerge on their own and I simply transplant them to more appropriate locations. The beautiful deep blue flowers add much needed interest to the early spring garden. The foliage also continues to grow and expand throughout the summer. The differentiated white and green leaves are one of my favorites. Another added benefit is that slugs don't like to eat them - the texture is to "scratchy" for them.
Soon the garden will transition into the summer and these lovely flowers will be gone, but knowing they will return next season always leaves me with excited anticipation for the arrive of yet another spring season. They may be gone, but they will not be forgotten.
