Spring Flowering Shrubs
LILACS
We have a great selection of lilacs starting to bloom now! .
Canadian Lilac, Syringa vulgaris Pocahontas: The species of the purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is said to be the most fragrant (but they are really all fragrant). Extend the lilac season with this extremely hardy, early blooming variety. Deep maroon-purple buds open in early May to fragrant, deep violet blooms 7 to 10 days before common lilac varieties bloom. Reaches 10 ft. tall and wide.
Korean Lilac, Syringa patula Miss Kim: Try a Miss Kim Lilac if you need one that stays a little smaller. This upright, compact lilac blooms later than others, extending the season with deep purple buds that reveal clusters of highly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. Foliage is burgundy-tinged in fall. Reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide
Charles Joly, Syringa vulgaris: This is a great choice if you want a larger lilac,10-12ft tall. Gorgeous, deep wine red, double flower clusters are highly fragrant. Blooms mid-season, typically in mid-May. A lovely spring accent, screen or border specimen.
Sensation, Syringa vulgaris: A bicolor purple and white flowering lilac. A mid-season bloomer that typically flowers in mid-May. Branches are erect and open with rich green foliage. Use to create a beautiful spring flowering hedge, screen, or accent.
Dwarf Korean Lilac, Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’: This is another species of lilac that we carry which stays much smaller. This one has smaller leaves and smaller purple blooms that are also fragrant. Blooms profusely in midseason, typically mid-May, and first flowers at an early age. Use in shrub borders with an evergreen background or plant in groups to form a low hedge.
We also carry white French Lilacs
Plant your lilacs in full sun, well drained, rich soil and you will have fresh lilac bouquets every spring!
Syringa vulgaris photo by keith kurman
Honeysuckle
SHRUBS
One of my favorite spring flowering shrubs is the fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima. It is extremely fragrant, long blooming and comes back bigger and better year after year. This early bloomer fills my whole yard with perfume every spring. It does best in full sun but will do fine in partial shade.
VINES
This year we have 3 varieties of fragrant honeysuckle vines.
Mandarin, Lonicera x 'Mandarin': “Delightful, tubular, mandarin orange flowers with pale orange interiors on this vigorous vine with a twining habit that will quickly cloak shade arbors, old trees, and woven wire fences. Drape over walls or let it sprawl across the rooftop for cottage garden charm.” (monrovia)
Major Wheeler, Lonicera sempervirens: “Blazing red and gold blooms appear all summer long, and into fall. Stems are often red to purple turning greenish brown with age. A vigorous, fast growing vine, perfect for covering a fence post, arbor or trellis. This excellent selection thrives in high humidity and is mildew-free.” (monrovia)
Goldflame, Lonicera x heckrottii: “An excellent vine to use as a cover for trellis, arbor and fencing. Also works well when pruned to form a dense shrub-like shape. Purple to deep pink buds open to sweetly fragrant, golden yellow, tubular flowers throughout summer.” (monrovia)
Hummingbirds love them!
Lonicera x heckrottii 'Goldflame'
Lonicera x heckrottii 'Goldflame'
Rhododendrons
This year our spring flowering shrubs include the usual evergreen rhododendrons, as well as deciduous azaleas which are in the rhododendron family. They are shallow rooted plants that grow as an understory in the woodlands, like in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are also found in various parts of Asia, like China and Nepal. They grow in high elevations because they like it cool.
Rhododendron cawtabiense, also called cawtaba rhododendrons:
Roseum Elegans: Medium sized broadleaf evergreen shrub that reaches 9-12’ tall and wide. Beautiful rose-lilac colored flowers. Best along a woodland border.
Grandiflorum Catawba: (Native)The Catawba evergreen rhody reaches 6-8’ ft tall & wide and has lilac-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is beautiful planted in a grouping, as an informal hedge or a mixed or woodland border. They are in bud now!
Chinoides Rhododendrons: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’ with white bell shaped flowers. Outstanding for use as an informal hedge or foundation plant.
Cunningham’s White: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’. It’s a perfect middle-of-the-border flowering shrub. A natural under oaks and older coniferous trees. Also perfect in the woodland understory and in wild gardens.
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Rhododendron maximum : (Native) A large broadleaf evergreen reaching up to 15ft by 12ft wide. They prefer to grow in cool, moist spots with well drained soil, part shade to full shade. They have dense, large leathery leaves with rose-purplish to pink to white blooms. They are in bud now!
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Hybrids developed by Weston Nurseries.
PJM: A durable rhody that tolerates heat as well as cold. An excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or containers. PJM’s are smaller leafed rhodies with bright laveder purple blooms, developed at Weston Nurseries. They are blooming now!
Olga Mezzit: A compact smaller leaf evergreen, developed at Weston Nurseries. More heat and sun tolerant than other varieties. An excellent choice for borders, mass planting, or containers. They are blooming now!
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Many of the deciduous azaleas are native, including viscosum and its hybrids.
Rhododendron viscosum: (Native) Native to Martha’s Vineyard! Gorgeous and fragrant.
They need to be watered often when newly planted!
Rhododendrons benefit from an application of mulch to keep moisture in the soil for their shallow roots.
Rhododendron maximum
Rhododendron cawtabiense Boursalt
Rhododendron boursalt
Rhododendron PJM photo by keith kurman
Rhododendron Catawba