What is that?

I am always pleasantly surprised when that awkward shrub flowers in spring.  The rest of the year it is a good space filler but is so valuable for those early spring flowers!

Do you know what it is?  Answer down below.

Answer:  Ornamental Quince

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy Spring!

Maple Spring Flowers

Spring has sprung here in Central Oregon, the daffodils are really coming up, trees are budding out and flowering and the weather is actually turning consistently warm.

One tree I have been noticing of late is the maple tree and the beautiful red flowers it is putting out right now.  This first photo is of a Silver Maple and its red flowers:

These trees flower early to spread their pollen before the leaves come on.  Aren't those red flowers stunning against the blue sky?

Here is a picture of a Red Maple and a close up of its flowers:

There is so much more to a maple than it's gorgeous fall color.  Next time you are out look for all the fine details nature has to offer!

Spring Flowers

Ah this gorgeous spring like weather! My heart and soul are begging me to go outside and dig in the garden but my head reminds me that winter is still here.
These January heat waves are so tough to bear, I love the sun and warmth and seeing the bulbs come up in the spring, and I feel like it is spring now.  But, it is still January and we all know from experience that we will have more snow (hopefully!) and freezing temperatures, so we have to continue waiting patiently till it is time to plant.

But, what will you plant this year?  One of my favorite spring plants is Pulsatilla vulgaris, the Pasque Flower.  It blooms very early here in Central Oregon with beautiful mahogany, purple or white flowers,  The first blooms look to me like baby birds lifting their beaks up to be fed.
After flowering they are a lush low mound of dark feathery green leaves. One of many flowers that do excellent in Central Oregon gardens year after year.

Spring Plants and Timing Tips

Some beautiful flowering spring plants to inspire you:

Pasque Flowers are some of the first to bloom.  Notice the fairly rocky and well draining soil?  That's what they like when you plant them in your garden.  The seed heads are fluffy like and interesting as well.  These remind me of baby birds in a nest.

 Pasque Flowers also come in maroon and white.  This is one in a well watered garden with creeping phlox in the foreground which is a fantastic flowering ground cover for Bend and Central Oregon.

Not to confuse you but this first picture is Winter Hazel. The flowers are pendulous and very graceful.

 Witch Hazel has a very open vase shape which I find very striking.  It's flowers are more fluffy and have a maroon center.

It is a great idea to go the nurseries to see these in bloom to buy them and be extra careful planting them to avoid disrupting their blooming.  Dig the hole nice and wide and mix in 1/3 compost planting mix to 2/3 native soil and water well.

'Gardening in the Inland Northwest' by Tonie Jean Fitzgerald has some timing tips for planting out in our special climate and I just love this type of folklore knowledge:

Plant root crops - carrots, turnips, potatoes, radishes - when lilacs are in bud
Plant cold hardy veggies - lettuce, peas, spinach - when lilacs begin to leaf
Plant frost tender vegetables - tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers - when lilacs are past full bloom

And remember that Bend has an average of 90 frost free days (though it can freeze suddenly in July) and our average last frost is June 1st and our average first frost is September 1st.  Use those season extenders!